Brian Elum Jr., known as Breezy, has been sketching his future since he was a kid with a notebook full of designs. A St. Clair County Community College marketing student, a Detroit King alumnus, a youth coach with Detroit City FC, and the founder of the clothing brands YBL6 and JBSCO26, he has moved through more loss than most people face in a lifetime, and turned all of it into fuel.
Who are you, and what are you building right now?
"My name is Brian Elum Jr., but many people know me as Breezy. I'm a student at St. Clair County Community College studying marketing, a Detroit King High School alumnus from the Class of 2026, an entrepreneur, and a youth coach with Detroit City FC. I'm currently building two clothing brands, YBL6, which stands for Young Breezy Life 6, and JBSCO26, for Jai, Breezy, and Sky, using fashion as a way to express myself, tell stories, and create something meaningful. I'm a kid from Detroit's East Side, around 6 Mile and Davison, with big dreams and an even bigger vision. I'm humble, hardworking, and someone who genuinely cares about the people around me. More than anything, I want to be a leader, someone the younger generation can look up to, and an example of what is possible when you believe in yourself, stay grounded, and keep working toward your goals."
What was the moment you decided to actually go for it?
"Growing up, I always wanted something of my own. When I was younger, I had a book where I would draw ideas and imagine what my own clothing brand could look like. I have wanted to sell clothes since I was 14, but it took time to find the right blueprint and turn my ideas into something real. That is how YBL6 became part of my journey. My first drop was a special moment, but a week later my dad passed away. Losing him, along with my aunt, a former coach and mentor, a friend to violence, and watching my mom go in and out of the hospital and nearly lose her life twice in one year, changed my perspective. Those experiences brought me through some of my hardest moments, but they also made me more motivated, more focused, and hungrier to accomplish what I have always dreamed of."
"Becoming successful is about more than what you accomplish. It is about the person you become along the way."
What has building this taught you about yourself?
"Building my brands and working toward my goals have taught me patience, staying true to myself, and keeping a positive mindset even when life gets difficult. I have learned that success does not happen overnight. There will be challenges, setbacks, and moments when you have to figure things out as you go. In those times, I have learned to speak positively to myself, trust the process, and remember why I started. Most importantly, I have learned that I do not have to face everything alone. The love and support from my mom, my family, my friends, and God remind me that I can get through hard situations and keep moving forward. Becoming successful is about more than what you accomplish. It is about the person you become along the way."
What's something people get wrong about what you do?
"In high school, some people said I was too friendly. I have always looked at it differently. I believe in connecting with people, building relationships, and treating others with kindness. Just because I know a lot of people does not mean everyone knows the real me. Social media makes it easy for people to form opinions without knowing your character or what you stand for, and I do not let those assumptions define me. With my brands, I have heard people say my clothes are too expensive. I understand everyone has an opinion on pricing, but I also know the thought, time, creativity, and investment that go into building a brand. YBL6 is not just about selling clothes. It is about representing a lifestyle and creating something that means something to me and the people who support it."
"Where you come from does not have to limit where you can go in life."
What's next? What does the near future look like for you?
"My goal is to grow YBL6 and JBSCO26 into successful brands while developing myself into a businessman and future franchise owner. I want to build something sustainable, create opportunities, and show other young people that their ideas can become real when they are willing to put in the work. Education matters to me too, so I want to earn my degrees and apply what I learn about business and marketing to everything I'm building. Beyond business, I want to prioritize my mental health, be there for my mom, and make my family proud. I want to establish a foundation that gives back through events and programs for kids, with a focus on mental health awareness, violence prevention, and positive opportunities. I want people to look at my journey and understand that where you come from does not have to limit where you can go. You can dream big, overcome difficult circumstances, and build something that makes a difference. My story is bigger than me, and I know this is only the beginning."
"Be you. Be great. I'm still writing my story, and this is only the beginning."
