Reginald Foreman – From Prison To Christian Fashion Designer

Reginald Foreman

Reginald Foreman, CEO Godly Image, LLC

Christian Fashion Designer, author and motivational speaker Reginald Foreman went from prison to faith-based fashion company CEO and seeks to encourage others needing a second chance.

The Richmond, Virginia based designer and owner of Godly Image, LLC got his dream of creating fashions that speak messages of hope and faith off the ground while living in St. Louis. The dream put into action was a desire driven by his faith. The name Godly Image was inspired by Foreman’’s childhood experiences. He said, “Once I caught on, because I grew up being bullied, I was too dark-skinned, I had acne on my face…I became this person that tried to destroy people back. But God said, ‘No I didn’t create you for that.’’ And once I understood that I was not what people told me I was, I began to change my mindset and my outlook changed right behind that.”

Foreman, who once called Miami home, spent almost a decade in prison for federal bank robbery, believes anything is possible with God and that a prison record can not stop what God has destined for you to accomplish.

I spoke to Foreman about his God inspired ventures, struggles and triumphs.

Lin: You have a great testimony about coming from prison to Christian fashion designer. How did you get from there to where you are now?

Reginald: The idea of starting my own T shirt line was truthfully planted in me at the age of 15. My stepmother said that I should start designing my own T-shirt and Greeting Cards, (which I am also working on). She knew I loved to draw and write. After leaving prison one of my jobs was at a graphic design print shop. I worked on the screen printing machines. While there I told my boss I had some ideas for T-shirts. She gave me permission to print my own shirts.  (Shout out to Sun Graphics in Berkley MO). The first T-shirt I made was “GOD MADE ME – WHAT CAN BREAK ME”. My Second was “GOD BLESS MY HATERS!”

I would go from barbershop to beauty salon selling my T-shirts and I would sell out. I knew I had something worth pursuing. Although, he struggles of life appeared. Not having enough wisdom to really push a business was my first struggle. My
second was not knowing how to manage my money.

I ended up walking away from my dream for about a year or so. Then one day I was in a church and a woman of God, whom I’d never seen in my life spoke a prophetic word to me. She asked if I was trying to start a business, I said yes. She said, “God is going to do it, bring it to past, if you keep him first.” This was the jolt I needed to start again and keep going. In the mist of my
second run I met some good businessmen who proposed some solid questions to me, “Do you have business cards? Do you have a website?”

At that time my answer was no and no. I was told how to you expect to be seen as a legitimate business without beginning factors. I received the message, I took my income tax of $1,000 and purchased business cards and a website. Thus the start of Godly Image, LLC professionally began. I sold shirts to cities around the US and outside the US to Africa and France.

I was interviewed on STLTV, interviewed on many radio stations (Hallelujah 1600 and Inspired Overflow 690 to name a few). I was offered a Fashion Magazine deal from Faith, Health and Beauty magazine, Coverings. My story was featured in the St. Louis American newspaper, Business section. I’ve been in countless fashion shows and still going. It’s been a lot of falling down but getting back up to get these things accomplished being consistent and persistent, LIVING DETERMINED.

Lin: What are the biggest hurdles you have come up against so far?

Reginald: The biggest hurdle so far has been getting a global sponsor, someone who can sponsor the brand as well as get us through major doors.

Lin: You are also an inspirational speaker. What kinds of groups or organizations do you speak to?

Reginald: I’ve been blessed to speak to wide range of organizations, various Churches, one for example I spoke at the Spirit Church men’s locker room organization where football hall of famer Aeneas Williams is the pastor. I’ve spoken at the Father Support Organization graduation, the Arches Re-entry Offender Conference, on the same panel with Robby Montgomery and Tim Norman, owners of Sweetie Pies restaurant. And stars of OWN’s Welcome to Sweetie Pies reality TV show. I’ve also spoken at comedy shows, stage plays. Anywhere people wanted me to share my story of how I LIVED DETERMINED.

Lin: I understand that you have a book in the works. What is the book about?

Reginald: My book is called “LIVE DETERMINED” Don’t Let Your Struggles Bully Your Dreams. It’s a book of empowerment, encouragement and determination. I’ve written 10 chapters involving personal events of my life. From prison, to gangs, abuse, college, my bad’s business deals and much more.

I talk about overcoming growing up in the projects and losing a fashion magazine deal that could have landed me in Macy’s department stores. I talk about my mistakes and lessons. I give insightful tips, spiritual nuggets and personal knowledge on how to live determined in spite of the worse circumstances.

Lin: You have a great testimony about coming from prison to a burgeoning Christian fashion designer. How did you get from there to where you are now?
Reginald: The idea of starting my own T shirt line was truthfully planted in me at the age of 15. My stepmother said that I should start designing my own T-shirt and Greeting Cards, (which I am also working on). She knew I loved to draw and write. After leaving prison one of my jobs was at a graphic design print shop. I worked on the screen printing machines. While there I told my boss I had some ideas for T -shirts. She gave me permission to print my own shirts.  (Shout out to Sun Graphics in Berkley MO). The first T-shirt I made was “GOD MADE ME – WHAT CAN BREAK ME”. My Second was “GOD BLESS MY HATERS!”

I would go from barbershop to beauty salon selling my T-shirts and I would sell out. I knew I had something worth pursuing. Although, he struggles of life appeared. Not having enough wisdom to really push a business was my first struggle. My
second was not knowing how to manage my money.

I ended up walking away from my dream for about a year or so. Then one day I was in a church and a woman of God, whom I’d never seen in my life spoke a prophetic word to me. She asked if I was trying to start a business, I said yes. She said, “God is going to do it, bring it to past, if you keep him first.”

This was the jolt I needed to start again and keep going. In the mist of my second run I met some good businessmen who proposed some solid questions to me, “Do you have business cards? Do you have a website?”

At that time my answer was no and no. I was told how to you expect to be seen as a legitimate business without beginning factors. I received the message, I took my income tax of $1,000 and purchased business cards and a website. Thus the start of Godly Image, LLC professionally began. I sold shirts to cities around the US and outside the US to Africa and France.

I was interviewed on STLTV, interviewed on many radio stations (Hallelujah 1600 and Inspired Overflow 690 to name a few). I was offered a Fashion Magazine deal from Faith, Health and Beauty magazine, Coverings. My story was featured in the St. Louis American newspaper, Business section. I’ve been in countless fashion shows and still going. It’s been a lot of falling down but getting back up to get these things accomplished being consistent and persistent, LIVING DETERMINED.

Lin: What are the biggest hurdles you have come up against?

Reginald: The biggest hurdle so far has been getting a global sponsor, someone who can sponsor the brand as well as get us through major doors.

Lin: You are also an inspirational speaker. What kinds of groups or organizations do you speak to?

Reginald: I’ve been blessed to speak to wide range of organizations, various Churches, one for example I spoke at the Spirit Church men’s locker room organization where former St. Louis Rams football player and hall of famer Aeneas Williams is the pastor. I’ve spoken at the Father Support Organization graduation, the Arches Re-entry Offender Conference, on the same panel with Robbie Montgomery and Tim Norman, owners of Sweetie Pies restaurant. And stars of OWN’s Welcome to Sweetie Pies reality TV show. I’ve also spoken at comedy shows, stage plays. Anywhere people wanted me to share my story of how I LIVED DETERMINED.

Photo of Reginald Foreman, Godly Image, LLC

Reginald Foreman, CEO Godly Image, LLC

Lin: I understand that you have a book in the works. What is the book about?

Reginald: My book is called “LIVE DETERMINED” Don’t Let Your Struggles Bully Your Dreams. It’s a book of empowerment, encouragement and determination. I’ve written 10 chapters involving personal events of my life. From prison, to gangs, abuse, college, my bad’s business deals and much more.

I talk about overcoming growing up in the projects and losing a fashion magazine deal that could have landed me in Macy’s department stores. I talk about my mistakes and lessons. I give insightful tips, spiritual nuggets and personal knowledge on how to live determined in spite of the worse circumstances.

Lin: What is the greatest lesson that you have learned on your life’s walk?

Reginald: I learned that God has an ultimate plan for each and every one of us. We are created with great abilities because we are created in the Image of God. God has a way of moving everything comfortable and familiar out of our reach, that way may grow and learn who he is in our lives intimately.

Lin: What’s next for you?

Reginald: My dream is to be the first major global faith and fashion brand expressing God in major fashion stores. I plan to push my book and speak to global platforms empowering people to LIVE DETERMINED. Understand that we are created in the matchless image of God and he has great purpose for each and everyone on us.
Links:
Website:Godmadeapp.com, Instagram:@Godmadelifestyle, Facebook:Reginald(Godly Image)Foreman, Twitter:@Godlyimage3

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