Today we’d like to introduce you to AB.
Hi AB, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a first generation Nigerian – American and growing up inside a Nigerian home there is no career that exists outside of being a doctor, nurse, lawyer, or some type of engineer. Books come first in a Nigerian household and expressing any desire in art, film, or music is NOT something that is typically accepted. Nigerian parents expect you to obtain your college degree and only then you can focus on a career in whatever you want. So, I’ve gotten my degree and now, I’m doing what I have an aspiration for, ha!
Growing up I always had that creative bone in my body. Though, when you come from where I come from, Alief, Texas, there weren’t too many resources or a lot of inspiration to encourage you to imagine anything past the block. However, when YouTube became a thing and I started realizing that there was a niche for me to cultivate content and someday build a career from it, I knew I wanted to do it.
Initially, I didn’t know what I was going to talk about or create. I began by putting myself through “YouTube University” and learned how to operate a mirrorless camera and then began brainstorming on things/topics that I was most passionate about. I am a sports car enthusiast and own my own project car, a Terminator Mustang Cobra swap. However, I found out very quickly that parts are EXPENSIVE and trying to keep content going while providing for a family wasn’t going to work. Wifey wasn’t having none of that, ha! Love you wife. So, I had to find something else to build material around, which led me to sneakers.
Growing up my mom never bought me any pair of sneakers that were more than $49.99. So, I never had the “cool” shoes in school until I was old enough to work for myself. Naturally, I became a “sneakerhead” buying almost every release of Jordan’s or Nike’s I wanted that I didn’t get as a kid. Well, the “sneaker game” started to change where it became harder and harder to get a sneaker, especially if there was hype behind the shoe. People were now using bots to purchase the sneakers and these bots were purchasing entire store inventory in some cases. This opened a market for people who are now known as “resellers’ who resell retail sneakers at a considerably higher price. Depending on the sneaker, the resell prices of a retail sneaker can range from $250.00 to $30k, and in some instances even more.
As a result, I began researching replica sneakers and I came across Unauthorized Authentic “UA” sneakers, also known as replica or fake. The manufacturing of a “UA” is very similar to the actual retail shoe, and it is honestly a very enticing option in comparison to purchasing a retail sneaker from a reseller for $1k. I love sneakers, but can never justify paying $1k for one. I don’t criticize those who do, I just simply don’t have that money to give up.
When I received my first pair of “UA’s” in the mail I was so impressed with the quality of the sneaker, and I knew right away what my YouTube channel was going to be about. I knew many people, like myself, could not afford to pay the astronomical prices for retail sneakers and that there were many who did not know “UA” sneakers even existed.
Right there I decided that I could serve as a messenger and educate the public on these sneakers’ quality and craftsmanship. I went onto YouTube searching for videos that reviewed these types of sneakers and found a very limited number of videos reviewing this product. The reviews I saw online weren’t necessarily the best quality. It was typically someone reviewing the shoes in their bedroom with a cellphone, not providing viewers any angles, and definitely not editing the content properly. I watch a lot of Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) on YouTube and I was inspired by his style so much I’d like to be the MKBHD of “UA” sneakers, ha!
I wanted to stand out and gravitate the attention of the audience. However, I knew that creating the best shots with the best quality images wouldn’t be enough to make an impression. That is when I decided to show how well these sneakers were built and how well they performed while riding an electric skateboard, plus I love boarding. Thus far I like to believe that this has brought a new perspective to the audience and has helped my channel grow.
I haven’t been able to board as much due to bi-polar Houston weather and lack of time but you can still catch me riding from time to time when weather/time permits, ha!
My channel’s message is clear – I do not condone the sale or resale of “UA” sneakers as retail and people who do choose to purchase sneakers from resellers at an inflated price should actually receive the retail product they pay for and not a “UA” sneaker. Unfortunately, there are instances where people will swindle customers and sell them replica sneakers as if they are authentic retail sneakers. The quality of some “UA” sneakers are nearly flawless these days, that it is difficult for the general public to tell the difference and my channel focuses on enlightening folks on how to distinguish and identify those variations.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely was a journey to get here. There is no blueprint or a map to follow. When there is nothing or no one to follow you have to be confident in yourself. Confidence plays a big role because a lot of people told me I was crazy for starting a YouTube channel or they brushed me off as if they knew I was going to fail and the channel wouldn’t amount to anything.
Building that confidence in yourself is not an easy thing and I will say that’s mostly what you’re fighting against. You’re fighting against your own insecurities more than others’ criticism. Once I got over that and told myself to just put out the content and not to care what others said, the road got much easier.
Being confident doesn’t mean do not listen to constructive criticism. It behooves you to always listen to constructive criticism. I adjust where need be when I feel I’m receiving good instruction. I just don’t listen to what the haters have to say.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My name is AB and I am the host of my very own YouTube Channel, ABHTX. I consider myself a “sneakerhead” and like most, we have come to realize that the sneaker game has significantly changed. As technology has evolved, many people have turned to using bots to purchase sneakers and beat the high demand of the limited available stock of the most exclusive shoes. In most cases, these bots will purchase the entire inventory of shoes – making it harder and harder for people to acquire a retail sneaker. As a result, this has created a market for what are known as “resellers” who turn around and resell the sneaker at a substantially higher price.
This is where my channel comes in – predominantly dedicating itself to educating the public on “UA” sneakers, otherwise known as Unauthorized Authentic Sneakers, also known as replica sneakers, or fake sneakers. And when the opportunity arises, I also conduct reviews on the latest and most exclusive retail sneakers.
My channel’s message is clear – I do not condone the sale or resale of “UA” sneakers as retail and people who do choose to purchase sneakers from resellers at an inflated price should actually receive the retail product they pay for and not a “UA” sneaker. Unfortunately, there are instances where people will swindle customers and sell them replica sneakers as if they are authentic retail sneakers. The quality of some “UA” sneakers are nearly flawless these days, that it is difficult for the general public to tell the difference and my channel focuses on enlightening folks on how to distinguish and identify those variations.
I am proud of how far the channel has come. We’re just over 5.3k subscribers and I know that’s not a lot to the world but it took a lot of work and lack of sleep to gain that many subscribers. In my eyes, that’s 5.3 thousand people that trust me and my word, and that means a lot to me.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that may surprise people about me is how serious and dedicated I am to my channel. When editing my videos, I replay over and over every image and sound effect until I feel that it is perfect. It takes many hours of work and sometimes sleepless nights but it’s worth to me, even if the video bombs and doesn’t get much traction.
When a video doesn’t get as many views or doesn’t seem to attract the audience, I can sometimes take it tough, but I remind myself that it is me simply getting my repetitions in. I try my best to deliver the best quality of work and continuously seek ways to improve my craft. Whether I have 5.3K subscribers or 1 million subscribers I intend to always put my best foot forward to produce great, authentic content.
Contact Info:
- Email: abhtxx@gmail.com
- Website: https://solo.to/abhtx
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abhtxx/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ABHTXx?s=09
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/olusola667
Image Credits:
grafx_designsart
