A Design Hero

This is a story of a long term friendship, the result of a completely random interaction of humans.

I love America. I travel there on holidays from Australia each year. America has a bright future, and I love how full of diversity it is. Every trip to America is different to the last one even though sometimes I do the same things. Las Vegas is one place I enjoy. I have met so many excellent people there over the years, many who have become lifelong friends. During one of my visits I was sitting up late in a casino coffee shop, using the free internet with my young son. Right near us was one other person, and he was also using the free internet like us. On this occasion, the young man approached my son and I and asked if we would mind his computer while he went to the restroom. “ Of course”, I said, “take your time, we will be here a while”.

When the gentleman returned, he said “thank you. Where y’all from?” I replied “Australia, where are you from?”

For the next hour we chatted about everything, all of us fully engaged in our reciprocal interest of our countries of origin. We loved listening to each other’s unique accent. It was a delightful social interaction. Just what I enjoy about Vegas. We bid goodnight, nice to meet you, and farewell after some time, as my son was ready for bed.

The next night, my son and I went to the same place around the same time for free internet again. To our surprise, a familiar face, one of the people there was the gentleman we met last night. We looked at each other and laughed! ”Hey!” We all said at the same time. We then introduced ourselves by name. His name was Maximus. We all sat together for the next hour or so doing our internet things. During this time Maximus showed me his Timeline Sports Shirts Design Concept. He explained his unique ideas, his inspirations. He even explained his business ideas and plans. I actually learnt about his hometown, Huntington Viriginia. I heard about his family. The story of the tragically lost football team, depicted in the movie “We Are Marshall”. I loved what he created, I was overwhelmed with his ability to blend colours, styles, logos and pictures into really fashionable, wearable sports shirts. He had all sorts of connections in the sports and music industry who inspired him to bring his stories to life on a Timeline shirt.

I am no stranger to an unpleasant family history, and nor was he. However the difference was that his family history involved violence against his family through gang violence. Maximus also has some wonderful family role models and a rich black history with his family. We both had somethings in common, we treat people with grace and love, through our faith in God. We both did not have friends based on race, but on compatibility and mutual interests. It was the moment when we actually decided we would become good friends. We became Facebook and Instagram friends. We actually choose our friends based on our similarities not differences. Skin colour and origin of race have no impact upon friendship. It certainly has no impact on talent.

Maximus, as mentioned earlier, has a creative talent unique to him. Earlier in life Maximus, sold a creative shoe design to Nike. At this point in time when we met, he was creating his timeline sports shirts, so that they told a career story of a sports hero, at an afffordable price. Maximus was looking to develop this concept to the next level. Like licensing the shirts to the NBA market. Creating a collectors high end sports star shirt in a display case. The opportunities and designs endless. The potential of “made to order“ for other role models like Kobe Bryant. I decided to make a financial investment with him. I know his concept will do fantastically well. Does Maximus inspire me? He works all day every day on his shirts and business. He never gives up. So Yes, no doubt, Maximus is a genuine design hero and entrepreneur and he inspires me every day. We trust each other. He inspires me to be better, be the best person I can be, to love God and to never give up.

Thanks Maximus, we will always be great mates.