Senior Richard McKeever released his original fashion line Arrognt Empire in January.

McKeever said he started the brand entirely out of his own pocket. He took on carpentering as a sideline job to help save money for his business.

“I wanted to get started on my own,” McKeever said. “I didn’t want help from anyone until I got it to the point where it’s obvious that I was (running a business).”

It is with this same mindset that McKeever takes his time in advertising and developing his brand, he said. He is determined to establish a foundation of products before he expands.

The Arrognt Empire Fashion line is defined as more than style, McKeever said.

“Our definition of _arrogant_ is being confident in your ability to be a positive catalyst to society,” McKeever said.

The brand is identified as a streetwear culture, a global culture that began around the 1980s, McKeever said.

He said Arrognt Empire has influences from both the east coast and California. But McKeever, a native of Chicago, said his brand is also inspired by the city of Chicago. McKeever said he was influenced by streetwear in Chicago, specifically from stores like Leaders, St. Alfred and Jugrnaut.

The line currently features six shirts, but McKeever said he wishes to expand as soon as the end of the semester. Since the company began seven months ago, McKeever said he has managed to sell over 300 shirts. Customers can purchase products from [the business’s website](http://www.arrogntempire.com/), as well as at Muse on South Ninth Street.

But McKeever said he cares about more than just selling shirts. He said he established his brand with the intention of it being a social business and benefiting the community at large more than making a profit.

McKeever has released shirts in the past weeks centered on an overdose theme. The intention is for 25 percent of the profits from the shirts to go toward youth drug prevention programs and organizations.

“We can all make money,” McKeever said. “But what we do with that money brings more value into you and the community.”

McKeever is a major in industrial engineering, and he said his creativity has broadened his perspective on the engineering side. He also said his engineering has aided him in sourcing, organization and ultimately how to go about starting the business.

McKeever said he wants to be an entrepreneur after graduation. He plans on going into social enterprise consulting.

“The clothes are like my hobby,” McKeever said. “But I definitely have bigger and better ideas that I definitely want to help be a contribution toward society.”