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This Week We Feature Young Professional Donte D. Hodge

At just 24-years-old, Donte D. Hodge of Upper Hope Hill, Tortola, is a crew member at the Road Town Fast Ferry and more significantly, the owner of ‘No Off Days The Brand,’ clothing line. Photo: Provided
While his day job includes being a Dock Master-tie rope on the ferry and other tasks such as handling luggage and keeping an eye on passengers, Mr Hodge spends a great deal of time producing and promoting his clothing line. Photo: Provided
While his day job includes being a Dock Master-tie rope on the ferry and other tasks such as handling luggage and keeping an eye on passengers, Mr Hodge spends a great deal of time producing and promoting his clothing line. Photo: Provided
Mr Hodge's customers, friends and family sporting his ‘No Off Days The Brand,’ clothing line. Photo: Provided
Mr Hodge's customers, friends and family sporting his ‘No Off Days The Brand,’ clothing line. Photo: Provided
Urban inspired feature graphics as part of the overall brand. Photo: Provided
Urban inspired feature graphics as part of the overall brand. Photo: Provided
By Ron O. D'Avilar

Whether we like it or not, design infiltrates every aspect of daily life. When it comes to garments, while Alexander McQueen, Ralph Lauren and Tom Ford are just a few male fashion designers who started out amid humble beginnings, growing into icons, brewing in the Virgin Islands is a little storm who may just have what it takes to reach the heights of global consumer fashion.

This week’s Young Professional is Donte D. Hodge of Upper Hope Hill, Tortola. Donte, 24, is a crew member of Road Town Fast Ferry and more significantly, the owner of ‘No Off Days The Brand,’ an upcoming urban consumer fashion brand.

Day Job meets Passion

While his day job is a Dock Master, which includes roping the ferry to the dock and other tasks such as handling luggage and looking out for the safety of passengers, Mr Hodge spends a great deal of time producing and promoting his clothing line.

He said he enjoys meeting new people and being creative with his clothing, but says a major challenge is “waking up early in the morning and leaving work late.” This he says, is a challenge since he still has to dedicate time into his clothing business after work.

He said his life lessons remain the avoidance of mixing business with friends, “I overcame it by dealing with my business on my own.”

Donte attended the Ivan Dawson Primary School and the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS), however, he said even though he was unable to graduate, he has big dreams and plans for his clothing line.

When asked about what else he did before having an eye for fashion, Donte told us he was an employee of Peter Island Resort as a kitchen helper and also worked at a hardware store.

Staying Focused

From pots and pans then the hardware store, one might not expect an individual to land into a field of pins, scissors and tailor’s chalk. “I like clothes and I wanted to produce my own clothing line,” he told this news website, noting that being an entrepreneur was the ultimate goal.

When asked about what keeps him focused on the brand, Donte said “thinking about ways to expand my clothing line on a daily basis,” is the driving power behind the need to push ‘No Off Days The Brand,’ to greater heights.

“To be able to open my own stores,” he said further fuels his passion.

Donte enjoys bike riding, travelling, and no surprise, attending clothing launches. He said the most interesting thing about his life is that he never gives up, “regardless of what negative comments came my way.”

“My Grandfather Ottley Hodge, he inspired me to always push and become successful. He also taught me how to be a man,” the Young Professional revealed to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO).

Speaking about some challenges he faced in Tortola, Donte said, “I almost died in a closet with people that were close to me. If it wasn’t for the eye of the hurricane and God's miracles we probably would not have been here today,” he said.

Referencing the hurricanes of September 2017 as a humbling experience, Donte said, “When I was younger I lived a rough lifestyle and the way I lived after Irma brought back memories, especially dipping water,” he said.

Parting Advice

For youth looking to build a dream, our Young Professional advises to “Never give up on your dreams. Always take a try at anything you see fitting for you. Anyone dreams can come through if you just stick to it and work hard,” he said while noting that more jobs should be made available to persons lacking experience.

“In life, you would have many haters but don’t let them hinder you from pursuing your dreams,” needs,” our young professional charged.

“You would face many obstacles and challenges but that should not stop you from becoming a better you,” he said in closing with a challenge to the VI that they should always help their neighbours who are in need.

33 Responses to “This Week We Feature Young Professional Donte D. Hodge”

  • Universe (09/08/2019, 14:31) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is lovely. do your thing Donte. blessings all the way
  • Nice (09/08/2019, 15:09) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Love this young men, really do respect his hustle
  • yess (09/08/2019, 15:11) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Talented young men in the BVI, just wished he would do more, like design personal shirts for people.. He’s awesome though
  • Comment (09/08/2019, 15:12) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes Talented man we have in the VI, Sending our love from St Thomas.. We love youu
  • Awesome (09/08/2019, 15:13) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    He is so talented, I’ve worked with him before..
  • Zone 6 (09/08/2019, 16:02) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    This the man, respect his hustle straight out of z6ne.
  • Honorable? (09/08/2019, 16:03) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    I’m so happy to see young men doing things instead of getting in trouble, one of the best guys from district 6
  • Love (09/08/2019, 16:05) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    He is good wish he would expand his business and get a store, something good from BelleVue D6
  • Yessaah (09/08/2019, 16:07) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    One of the most respectful & funniest young men I know from BelleVue, he is one of the few to get in trouble.
  • Ooooooo (09/08/2019, 16:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    He send shirts to St Thomas.. love his shirts..
  • Wonderful (09/08/2019, 16:49) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Best thing out of BelleVue, very talented, respectful & helpful.. I can see him in politics in the next 8-12 years.. Gooo Donte..
  • thank god (09/08/2019, 16:51) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I like that he’s different from others he does shirts for different districts. Sea Cows bay waiting lil man.. Respect you !!!
  • vi (09/08/2019, 16:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    He is so nice.. love is style of fashion.. like his ideas.
    We need some Virgin gorda shirts ASAP!!
  • about time (09/08/2019, 16:58) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    These is people the government need to invest in, instead of nonsense that’s not necessary..
  • unknown (09/08/2019, 17:00) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    I’m working on a grant for this young man to go away and expand & get more training in business..
  • Really good (09/08/2019, 17:04) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    He will be one of the youngest & best clothing entrepreneur in the Future VI.. Hope he doesn’t Stop.. Love from Cane Garden Bay Donte!!!!
  • Hodges (09/08/2019, 17:05) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hey Donte!!! SENDING OUR LOVE FROM FLORIDA USA.. You’re doing Great..
  • youths (09/08/2019, 17:09) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Previous Minister of Culture & myself had a talk about this very same young men not to long ago.. Will really invest in him.. He’s smart, like his ideas..
  • Wowwwwww (09/08/2019, 17:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Take I going make a move & invest with this youngster. He’s awesome... He will be international soon..
  • facts (09/08/2019, 17:33) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Another local moving on up
  • Hallelujah (09/08/2019, 20:56) Like (14) Dislike (8) Reply
    Thank god he’s from the VI tired of these outsiders thinking they more talented then our very own ... VIRGIN ISLANDS FIR LIFE..
  • All the best (09/08/2019, 21:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Love to see our young entrepreneurs.. Yes Donte Hodge will definitely check you for a shirt.. Support the youngsters people.
  • Hmmmm (09/08/2019, 22:00) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Young Yankee.. Don’t stop Donte
  • family (09/08/2019, 22:01) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    He’s a really hustler & a go getter just like his uncle we all know Ottley Hodge.. Good People
  • NY (09/08/2019, 22:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congrats from New York Donte!! Make Brooklyn friends proud
  • movement (09/08/2019, 22:03) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don’t give up, you’re great.. Sending our love from ATLANTA
  • Cracker (09/08/2019, 22:05) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    He is so respectful, met him Virgin Gorda..
  • great (09/08/2019, 22:07) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We love you Donte. He’s my youngest son inspiration, who like clothing.
  • stt (09/08/2019, 22:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Saw his shirts selling in St Thomas (USVI) like crazy.. Need to get me one.
  • Resha (09/08/2019, 22:09) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don’t give up Donte some people will talk down and get jealous at times but don’t make that stop your hustle..
  • kk (09/08/2019, 22:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    He is so good at what he’s doing.. like the deigns he created
  • G4L (09/08/2019, 22:11) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I saw so much adults and kids wearing his shirts for the holidays events.. Really did good..


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