Starting off with a strong statement being "On A Mission" being OAM. From what is stated in their bio @onamissiontx "from birth & beyond" to "honoring hustle worldwide, based out of Mission, Tx." I used to think it was just really cool T-Shirts, but every time I saw them they felt empowering. Like yeah I AM ON A MISSION and FROM PALMVIEW, but it's close to mission anyways. Looking through more of their posts and their stories they are a very supportive page to keep pushing forward. This week's feature is OAM, @onamissiontx
The local individual honoring hustle is Valeria Arredondo and she shares a bit on what she's been enjoying recently "I’ve strictly been working & fueling OAM." Just as she states she's on that hustle. On a side note she sees the community hustling and grinding for what they want as they are out there "getting it done forreal" and strongly agree.
Besides the message in the bio for OAM what can be said about "OAM" as she says "Our mission is to bring inspiration and pay homage to those on a mission around the World, no matter the mission." When I think about this I think about individuals such as Jaden (@jd.blango) a creative from the valley who went off and is now in New York and finished his New York Academy Of Art. Even if our own local creatives are out there pursing their passions we still have to pay homage because they are also bringing inspirations who have dreams like that as well. Another example is leaving and taking a risk for what you love and wish to pursue such as the creator behind INTOKU: You Owe It To Yourself (@motherwhiterice) a zine created in Spring 2021 that goes beyond fashion but the fighting for individuality and self-love. One final mention being Maddy (@madisonbickerton) a local creative who went from The Juice Exhibition back 2019 and releasing NOODL drops until late 2020. She may not be in The Valley currently, but she still has our support and continues to work with individuals from The Valley. No matter where her creative journey takes her she'll always be on a mission following her passions. As I said even though our local creatives are pushing and may be leaving for their own purpose we still have to support they are leaving on a mission with a piece of us. A piece of The Valley.
With the idea of "honoring hustle worldwide" how can we a community do that? "I believe the valley already does that by every day life, there’s always people hustling, whether we realize it or not — from our first interaction to our last interaction of the day. The hustle in the valley is what made OAM, it’s whats made & is still making new businesses and new ventures pop up right now, hustle is embedded in the community. honoring it would be living it." When you think about yeah I do think we "hustle" without even realizing what we just did. Even if its something so "minor" it can be MAJOR! Even if we are just brainstorming ideas or taking the initiative for just about anything we are preparing ourselves for the mission. We got so many events stacked this July and Pop Up that everyone be on that "OAM."
Looking at a post and it says “We are more than apparel. We are more than a brand” What do you want to get across to someone who possibly just wants a shirt?
"I believe people express themselves, in some degree, with what they wear on their body.Those who resonate with OAM are on their own mission in life and are actively hustling towards it, whether it’s a vision, a goal, whatever it may be. Even if someone just wants a shirt, when they wear it, someone else may read it & feel motivated. You motivated someone during the day and didn’t even know it, that’s dope. " As I mentioned at the beginning of this feature "I used to think it was just really cool T-Shirts, but every time I saw them they felt empowering. Like yeah I AM ON A MISSION and FROM PALMVIEW." Like for some reason there is a strong energy behind them or even if someone wants one due to how great the t-shirt is I like how Valeria puts it " if someone just wants a shirt, when they wear it, someone else may read it & feel motivated. You motivated someone during the day" it happens for sure.
What can be said about the logo? From the location being The Valley and It being sunny what can be said? "The logo represents the sun and citrus, I wanted it to look like the sun to signify the start of a new day or a new beginning, hope and faith in Self. And the citrus aspect, it looks like a citrus fruit cut in half and then cut in half again — Mission, Texas is big on citrus. That’s where OAM was born so it’s only right to have it in there, you know? Pay homage to my city, the people in it, and where I got my hustle from." It's just amazing as she says " I wanted it to look like the sun to signify the start of a new day or a new beginning, hope and faith in Self" because having confidence and having faith in ourselves is the best thing we can do. Even if we have bumps just know we there's always " the start of a new day or a new beginning" and that we should not quit on our "hustle."
From the logo and what it symbolizes what can be said about the color? "happiness energy and balance. out of everything orange symbolizes these 3 are what I feel when I see the color orange" Just like the sun as mentioned earlier "he start of a new day or a new beginning, hope and faith in Self." Having "energy" at the start of the day and having a balanced mindset on yourself and being happy with yourself and where you currently are and the idea of where you can be. It's just how I see, but I would love to know what each one of ""happiness energy and balance" mean to Valeria. Reading this and thinking of Orange made me think of a song by Amine and the ending says "I never tried a grapefruit by itself And now you're just a ____ peelin', like eatin' a grapefruit And you're like this is nice with sugar in it and you're like
why is this nicer than my Ferrari?" because the simple things in life, if it can be "simple" at times are the most valuable. The value that comes from our ""happiness energy and balance" can be nicer than just about anything. Maybe we all just need something Orange once in awhile.
Talking about all this "hustling" what is Valeria hustling on? "OAM, I be on a mission. Haha." Amen and cheers to that!
What made Valeria create OAM? i’ve always loved motivating people hyping people up and I love seeing them overcome whatever they’re going through.
at the end of the day hustle inspires hustle. OAM gives the ability to reach MANY hustlers, it gives the ability to honor hustle and inspire people showing how others hustle. And especially, to show the youth the kids that they can accomplish anything, they just Gotta keep going. I want to be the person I looked up to growing up, I feel if i’m not doing that, i’m doing a disservice to the next generation." Going through all the posts and everything posted by OAM is actually very motivating. Even this little video provided by OAM.
How does Valeria wish to grow with OAM? "OAM has taught me a lot already, I feel as OAM grows, as will I. Finding various ways to get across one message: continue the mission... shit, it’s fun." As I sometimes say growth certainly comes with time and experiences. The way Valeria continues to work and experiment with OAM who knows what she'll find within herself and within OAM. With time who knows OAM on billboards for people to read "WE A MISSION" as they drive or something.
From shirts is there anything else in the works? "I’m about to do an OAM release on July 7th and an OAM giveaway.. currently working on learning different ways to reach people on a deeper level.. i don’t wanna give away too much, but I usually can’t hold in excitement for too long so I’ll be giving hints down the road haha" For now we gotta wait for hints which sounds fun and exciting just knowing a bit of information for whats to come!
Valeria shares her thoughts on the local scene in The Valley,
"I love what the Valley is doing. Literally everything. The local scene, everyone seems so much more connected & supportive of each other. The Valley has grown so much in just the past year! I love it, I love it. Hustle recognize hustle."
She adds one final comment,
"I sincerely do appreciate everybody rocking with OAM, from the bottom my heart. This is something I wanted as a kid and to see it come to fruition, building everything brick by brick, day by day, seeing and feeling the love from those who support, it’s reinvigorating, it fuels the fire in me even more so. Everybody that’s on a mission, the hustle doesn’t go unnoticed. I see you. Continue on your mission. Keep going.
WE ON A MISSION BABY!!!"
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