Our story

While most everybody else my age went off to university or college, I thought I’d get ahead by joining the workforce early, that and the fact that no acceptable program would take me with my horrendous academic record.

I started working in warehouses bouncing around until I found a position through a “friend” of mine at a local loading dock.

It started off great, I got to drive forklifts, plan loads and got a whole bunch of new responsibility, I thought I had really made it.

This euphoria did not last long, being the youngest (by far) on a shift full of ex-cons, divorced dads & junkies. I was forced to always pick up the slack, even some slow days do all the work myself while others sat watching their phones in the office.

It wasn’t this lack of help that bothered me, it was my co-workers lack of ambition that drove me crazy. Everybody felt so comfortable in a job that had no future, just happy to make ends meet. And this to me was a fate worse than death.

so in this realization I started 2THOUSAND1 as a “clothing” brand in hopes of becoming a muti-millionaire and never working a dead-end job again.

Now at first the concept was simple, Empowering The Next Generation of Workers with workwear. At the time all I could afford to produce was the Safety Shades Lite // Silver and thus this online store opened selling only those.

I started giving out the shades to co-workers and friends alike, the shades were very well received, they had the multicoated silver lens that people thought were really cool I was even able to get the shades in the hands of some musicians and rappers who were in town. Basically, everybody thought the whole idea was great.... but it didn’t make it profitable

I spent a lot of money setting up production, mold making, coating, then even getting a website, thermal printers the list goes on.... To no avail

It certainly didn't make me the billionaire I was hoping it would, In fact since the brand inception up until very recently this idea cost me way more than it ever made me.

Looking back, the problem with the brand was I was trying to make it like another viral TikTok clothing brand, moving away from the safety glasses doing beanies and faded hoodies, items that I could only wear outside of work. The brand was losing its identity, an in turn my effort

During this time, I would develop a passion in the world of construction. Building a career as a carpenter shifted my energy towards just that and away from curating a brand.

But I never gave up on it... In my long and strenuous journey building a career in the world of construction 2THOUSAND1 stayed on my mind I always knew it was my exit from the tools the question was just how.

Over the years I developed that answer, see once I started making some real cash from construction, I couldn't justify spending money sneakers and nice t-shirts when realistically 90% of the time I left my house I was dressing for work

So, I took a new approach with the brand instead of trying to follow trends, I shifted attention (and money) towards developing and designing products that would distinguish me from others at work

and in the process the (SAFETY SHADES) were born.......

by far our most sold item and quite literally the bread & butter of brand

Today 2THOUSAND1 is an official business registered here in the province of Ontario, Canada it serves not only as an online workwear store but also an independent corporation that handles my construction ventures as well as other media inquiries.

The brand has really grown, especially since my social media pages have been blowing up. We've even started a discord community growing to nearly 400 members, A place to exchange knowledge, share career opportunities, build industry connections, and help one another navigate an ever-changing world.

For now, production remains limited as we look to expand our operations.

I still do construction picking up work where I can as a carpenter in the film industry, a laborer for my uncles landscaping company or when I get lucky my own independent projects (soon)

at its core 2THOUSAND1 represents a passion for skill, honoring those from earlier generations who’ve passed down their knowledge to us.

The brand combines fashion and function for those who work and want to feel that joy of getting to wear a new fit without having to wait for the weekend.