Tyrik Davis is a self-love and authenticity aficionado growing an empowerment movement throughout Metro-Detroit by daring folks to be their most authentic selves.
Dare to be /yer’self/ is a Detroit manufactured, inspirational apparel brand that celebrates the many facets of love and acceptance by supporting individualism and donating a portion of all sales to local not-for-profit organizations who share their mission.
EXP: Why did you initially come to Detroit?
TD: I was excited to be a part of the renovation of Detroit and the rejuvenation. It’s like a movement- you want to be a part of it.
EXP: What is the overarching message that you are trying to send with Dare to be /yer’self/?
TD: Dare to be /yer’self/ is a motivational, inspirational, lifestyle apparel brand that challenges, encourages, and champions us all to live our true and authentic selves. Each month we come up with a new and nuanced topic around love.
“Dare to be loved and dare to love yourself, because how can you love someone else before first loving yourself? “ -TD
We also give back to the community. Throughout the pandemic, for every t-shirt sold, we donated a t-shirt to a front-line worker. We have also spearheaded breast cancer awareness campaigns to support the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and we celebrated Pride Month with the Ruth Ellis Center to support homeless and at-risk LGTBQUIA+ youth in Detroit.
EXP: What inspired you to launch the brand?
TD: I was working at Lululemon, and they are really big on vision and goals. I asked myself, “How can I manifest this?” Eventually, I thought “Screw it, what do I have to lose?” I think that’s the millennial in me. There is nothing like betting on yourself! If you dare to be yourself, you have to dare to take a chance on yourself. I’m living the brand!
EXP: What does the future hold for the brand?
TD: We’re in the process of applying to present at Detroit Demo Day, and I really hope that we will be accepted, because we need funding to take the brand to the next level! We’re currently hand screening all our apparel with the amazing team over at SMPLFD and working out of my apartment which is filled with storage boxes, so it’s definitely time to expand to a warehouse and office. Dare to be /yer’self/ is just beginning and the best is yet to come!
EXP: What is your favorite thing about Detroit?
TD: The people, and I know that may sound cliché, but nobody supports each other like Detroiters do. We put on for our city. We are willing to rock for our city. I have been to a lot of places, and there is nothing like Detroit. We are for real.
EXP: Where are some of your favorite spots in the city?
TD: I love to eat, and I love to drink (responsibly) when I am not working. My favorite place to grab a drink is Standby and my favorite drink there is the blueberry Moscow Mule. They should call it the Ty mule, because I tell everyone to get it. The secret sauce is muddled blueberries; it’s a little bit extra, a little bit bougee, but that’s me! For a bite to eat, I love supporting my favorite local Michigan pizza chain, Papa’s Pizza. They’re like family to me. They’re located in Oak Park and in Berkeley and will deliver anywhere in Detroit. My favorite order here is the deep-dish pizza, extra sauce, with banana peppers and mushrooms. I’m also obsessed with Go! Sy Thai Detroit. I order the extra hot Pad Thai with shrimp from the Midtown Detroit location and they get it right every time!
