What inspired you to start your business?
McEachnie: I started Clouded Dreams when I was a sophomore. I didn’t know much about graphic design or how to put anything on a hoodie. I thought most of it was hand-painted. Then I met Mr. [Andre] Wright, the Humanize My Hoodie founder. He mentored me in fashion and design.
Are there other people besides Wright who sparked your interest in fashion?
McEachnie: I love this guy named Virgil Abloh. He created “The Ten” collection of [Nike x Off-White]. Everyone loved them; [they are] not too formal, but not too dressed down.
How do your pieces reflect your style?
McEachnie: I love sneakers [and] shoes in general. Anytime I like a shoe, I buy it, and that makes my fit. I try to make a lot of my clothes where you can style them with shoes.

What is your creative process for hoodies?
McEachnie: I create [a design] with Shapes and Adobe, and then I make it into a file. I send it to [the heat press] that cuts out the stencil. The first brand I started with was Gildan. I’d have Gildan hoodies, and I put the stencil that I created on there, and [the vendor] pressed it with a type of glue adhesion.
Are there any pieces that stand out to you?
McEachnie: I had a fashion show in June 2022, and I created this piece — stacked flare jeans. I had to go through with a seam ripper and rip thousands of little holes into the pants. After that, you can bleach or dye them a different color. I threw it in the dryer so all the frays became more puffed up. Tons of people liked [them].
Tell me a little bit about your motto, “Take the Risk.”
McEachnie: It’s a whole lot of money to get a business started. To make money, you have to spend money. Anything my mom gave me, I was putting it towards [my business]. When I was working, [I would] put my money straight into my business. [Consequently,] I fell behind a little bit in my classes — I risked a whole lot of things to get [started].
How did those around you support you as you took such a risk?
McEachnie: My mom owns a restaurant [called] I Love Fufu. She taught me a lot about business, like how to deal with vendors and people that I have to work with to run my business. My dad also poured a lot of money into the business.
How did joining Business Professionals of America impact how you approached Clouded Dreams?
McEachnie: When I wanted to start a business, I told [the BPA advisor], Mrs. Fickle, “I really love clothing, should I start a business?” She was one of the first people I thought of to talk with about the idea. It seems like most people make their business about making money, instead of what they’re actually [selling] — I don’t want to be doing this just to make money; I want to be doing it because I love making clothing. [I liked] the way she runs her [personal] business and Pump it Up. She loves the actual business [more] than [just] making money. It’s all about the love of the business.
How do you balance school and Clouded Dreams?
McEachnie: [At] the start, [I] fell behind with school, especially since I was also helping my mom get her business started. And [then] I was like, “When I’m in school, I’m in school.” I can start doing stuff on breaks, [in] summer or even next year when I go off to college.
Do you plan to continue Clouded Dreams in college?
McEachnie: I want to go into nursing. If I end up staying here, or wherever I go to college, [I plan on] making fashion shows for my classmates. [I want to] give my classmates something to do on a Friday.
What’s next for Clouded Dreams?
McEachnie: If I learn anything new, I’m going to do it — it might not be [clothing]; [it will] probably [be] 10 times different.