KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — With one word, Central High School student Justus Hayes can say a lot.
"I chose the name 'Blended' because I come from a blended family. I know many people do, too," Hayes said about the name of the clothing company he started during the pandemic.
Hayes said he wore uniforms while in middle school at Emerald Academy and wanted a way to express himself through clothing when he started high school.
"When I got out, I saw some pretty cool T-shirts that I liked. I really wanted to create my own," Hayes said.
The bright colors and bold 'Blended' logo attract big business for Hayes, who juggles homework and entrepreneurship when he gets home from school each day.
"I do it every single day. I work on Blended every single day from designing to making orders and sending them out," Hayes said.
Coming up on a full year in business, Hayes said he's learning a lot. He plans to take business classes in the fall and hopefully host a few pop-up sales this summer. He says his blended family has been his biggest support system.
"They're so proud of me for starting young and having the mindset to start a business," Hayes said.