HEY, HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT IT would take to start a clothing line?

   Could you imagine what kind of time and energy would be required to kick something like that off? Well, Michael Stewart, a 17-year-old student at Southeast Raleigh High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, is making it happen right now. Michael spends the majority of his free time designing tee shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants and caps with his new clothing line "Mosayk".

   According to the CEO/designer, when he was 13-years-old, the ideas to start a clothing line came to him from watching the Puff Daddies of the world. "I felt that young people should have a voice in what we wear and what we are doing. At the age of fifteen, my mother transferred her business license to my name. It was a standard business license that enabled me to do manufacturing and producing. There is no age limit on getting a business license that I know of."

   For this reason, "Mosayk" is influenced by the likes of clothing lines such as FUBU and Ralph Lauren. As a matter of fact, Michael Stewart had the invaluable opportunity to meet one of the founding members of FUBU, Carl Brown, while he was visiting his family in Queens, New York. Michael says, "Speaking with Carl of FUBU has been a real inspiration to me because he gave me good advice about keeping the competitive spirit. He said that it wouldn't be right for people just to have FUBU. Consumers like to have a variety of clothing, people should have choices."

   In the beginning, Michael spent countless hours doing research at home and at the library working, through concepts and designs. After making sacrifices like washing cars, mowing lawns, saving up allowances and lunch monies, Michael and his associate Kerris Lee, 17, were able to come up with a whopping dollars to start up their operation. They used the money to buy T-shirts, labels, screen printing and materials to create advertising. They learned how to make their products from Willie Sinclair, owner of Raleigh Tees in Raleigh, North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair are long-time friends of Michael's mother and members of the family church. Mr. Sinclair took time out of his busy schedule to counsel Michael about the printing process. "Mr. Sinclair taught me how to use the printing press, screen print press, embroidery and heating machines in order to make the tee shirts. He also helped me with the ordering process, which involves where [and how to] get the right materials for the tee shirts."

   Michael, who creates his own original designs, started out making tee shirts for himself, then eventually started making tee for his peers. At present he sells his tee shirts to his fellow students, and at peer functions. Michael basically sells his Mosayk prodcut wherever he goes and continues to sell and spread the word about his company.

   Currently, Mosayk is a division of Jamdon Global Connections, which was started in 1998, solely by Michael. Jamdon promotes house parties and also works with Def Jam Records street team to promote entertainment events. So whenever new groups come into town, you can be assured that Jamdon would most likely have a piece of the action. Michael says Jamdon, which brings in little revenue, is really a vehicle to promote Mosayk. "It's more so for the connections," he says.

   With two companies under his belt, Michael says he has a maximum of seven hours to spend on company business. In that time he works on new designs, finalizes licensing deals and makes sure that all other aspects of the business are being maintained. Since Michael has to also make sure that his homework is done and attending football practice, he's a starting defensive end for the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs team, and meetings of the African American Student Union, he doesn't get to sleep until about 3 am. But he maintains a B-plus average, squeezes in time for reading, writing screenplays and poems, and honing his computers skills (he's a big technology buff).

   "I have always been supported by my mom, dad, eight siblings and neighborhood," says Michael. "One of my sisters, Valerie Pratt is in her senior year at North Carolina State University. She helps me with the financial side of the business."

   He credits his mom, Adeline Isaacs, for teaching him the value of hard work. His mom is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, and is involved in personal and private clothing lines. A native of Sierra Leone, West Africa, she came to this country in pursuit of an education. "She has always been a big inspiration to me because her and my dad both taught me to use the resources that the United States has to offer," say Michael.

   Since last year, "Mosayk" has sold 100-plus units ranging in price. However, Michael does not expect a large profit until another two to five years. Nevertheless, the company continues to bloom through licensing deals with other businesses. Licensing involves designing primarily tee shirts for other companies. "If a company needs shirts or promotional wear made, Mosayk would take care of the business side. We will manage the manufacturing process and design the gear," says Michael, adding that prices vary, depending on the size and volume of the project. "We negotiate on a level that is helpful to the company in giving them what they want and we just ask to display our logo, and we own the copyright."

   In the future, Stewart plans to get worldwide status for Mosayk. "My main goals are not the money but to unite different cultures and for Mosayk to become a household name. I would really like for my product to unite people spiritually." He plans on doing that by gaining capital through investments.

   Although Michael wants to join the Navy after high school, he is still excited about continuing his business. He says, "Due to the advancement in technology and the help of my family, I will still be able to continue even if I am overseas. I can use the internet to continue to sell my product."

   For now, Michael is planning his strategy and enjoying himself. "I go out to parties and have fun with friends and family. But, building my future EMPIRE is my true hobby and strong goal."