Billy Boyd ’03 and Quentin Gilmore ’03 have embarked on the ambitious venture of designing and marketing a clothing line.

Boyd said, “The initial idea to create a clothing line stemmed from our ambition to be entrepreneurs. Most of Quentin’s and my influences come from CSU where we were exposed to different races, cultural backgrounds, religions and fashion trends.

“Our goal with the Ross NuMan clothing line is to create a positive image for men by portraying a self-assured individual who is conscious of who he is, where he is going and what it takes to get there. We want others to adopt these qualities and pursue their dreams,” said Boyd.

Additional information about the company can be found at www.rossnuman.com.

They’ve been in business for more than a year and are expanding their clothing line and availability. Currently, Ross NuMan styles can be found in Myrtle Beach and Chicago, with plans to expand into Atlanta and Florida. Their 11 member marketing team includes 2004 graduate Ed O’Neil.

Gilmore, Boyd and a designer came up with the Ross NuMan logo of a man leaning against a wall thinking. Boyd said, “He is suave, yet cool, all the while contemplating his options. The styles were derived from research through the Internet, questioning individuals and attending some major fashion shows.”

Boyd and Gilmore both hold down fulltime jobs as they expand their urban clothing line. In addition to building a successful clothing line, they one day hope to establish a foundation to support higher education for male and female students.

“I’m a police detective at North Carolina Central University,” said Boyd. “I investigate all major crimes that occur at the university. Working on Ross is a part-time thing. There are nights when I’m tired from working, but I can hear my English professor, Nancy Canavera, who used to tell me, ‘Billy you are an inspiration. You can accomplish anything you put your mind to.’ This fuels me to keep striving. Through Ross NuMan, I am a living testimony that you can accomplish anything that you put your mind to.”

Gilmore is a program supervisor at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club in the Chicago suburbs where he mentors youth and assists in coordinating activities. He is also a substitute teacher who believes in education. “We love working on Ross NuMan because it is getting a positive message to people,” said Boyd.