Business Stories Magazine Founder interviews, in their own words
Los Angeles, California October 6, 2026 Independent since 2018 @businessstoriesmagazine

Founder Interview

Adeola Odutola

My advice is to start with a clear purpose and give yourself room to learn. You don’t have to have everything figured out on day one, but you do need to understand who you’re…

Adeola Odutola, founder and creative director of Crown of Wealth, seated in a pale suit with a tape measure around his neck in front of a wall of his designs

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

My name is Adeola Chuka Odutola, but most people call me Addy. I’m originally from Nigeria and now based in Houston, Texas. I’m a husband, father, engineer, and the founder and creative director of Crown of Wealth.

I founded Crown of Wealth in 2019 to bring my passion for style and creativity to life. Through custom suits, tuxedos, and apparel collections, I help people express themselves and feel confident—whether they’re celebrating their wedding day or representing their school and community.

My Nigerian roots, faith, and family are a big part of who I am and what inspires my work. Crown of Wealth is an extension of that: a celebration of identity, craftsmanship, and the legacy we build.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

One thing I love about living in the Houston area is the diversity. There are so many cultures, backgrounds, and creative perspectives here, which makes it an inspiring place to build Crown of Wealth. Being originally from Nigeria, I appreciate living somewhere you can celebrate your roots while connecting with people from all walks of life.

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

Crown of Wealth is a clothing brand specializing in custom suits, tuxedos, and original apparel collections. We work with everyone from grooms and wedding parties to people looking for something special for an important occasion. We help customers bring their vision to life through fabric selection, fit, and personal details that make each piece feel like their own.

I started Crown of Wealth in November 2019, inspired by my love of fashion and the timeless style I admired in British GQ. I wanted to create clothing that gave people that same sense of confidence while allowing them to express their individuality. With the support of my wife, best friend, and family, I took that idea and began building the business.

The beginning wasn’t easy. We finished our first year at a loss, but I kept creating, sharing our work through videos, and learning how to connect with customers. My faith and the people around me helped me stay committed.

Today, the most rewarding part is seeing someone put on a piece we created and feel confident in it. Whether it’s a groom on his wedding day or an alumnus wearing one of our homecoming collections, we help people celebrate meaningful moments and wear something that reflects who they are.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

My advice is to start with a clear purpose and give yourself room to learn. You don’t have to have everything figured out on day one, but you do need to understand who you’re serving and why your product or service matters to them.

When I started Crown of Wealth, our first year ended in a loss. That was discouraging, but it taught me to pay closer attention to costs, listen to customers, and find creative ways to share the brand. Passion gets you started; understanding your numbers and consistently delivering for your customers helps you keep going.

Surround yourself with people who support you and will also be honest with you. Keep your faith, stay open to feedback, and remember that slow progress is still progress. Start with what you have, do it well, and build from there.

What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?

What stays with me is the feedback we hear from so many customers: how special they feel wearing something made just for them. For some, it’s their first custom suit. For others, it’s the outfit they’ve pictured wearing on their wedding day. Seeing their smiles, excitement, and sometimes even tears when they try it on is something I’ll never forget.

We’ve also had customers call us “lifesavers” for helping bring their vision together for an important occasion. That means so much because we know how personal those moments are and how much trust they’re placing in us.

My favorite part is watching someone look in the mirror and carry themselves with a new sense of confidence. At Crown of Wealth, we want every customer to feel heard, cared for, and proud of what they’re wearing. Years later, when they look back at those photos, I want them to remember how incredible they felt.

Where do you see your company in the future?

I see Crown of Wealth becoming a nationally recognized, Black-owned brand that stands alongside names like Suitsupply and Men’s Wearhouse. That’s the scale of my ambition—to build a company people think of first when they want exceptional style, a great fit, and service that makes them feel valued.

I envision Crown of Wealth showrooms in major cities, a strong online presence, and a team that shares my passion for helping people look and feel their best. As we grow, I want to create opportunities for other designers, tailors, and creatives, while showing the next generation what’s possible through Black ownership.

The personal connection we have with our customers will always be central to that vision. Whether we’re dressing someone for their first job interview or their wedding day, I want every customer to feel the care that went into their experience. My goal is to build a household name and a legacy my family and community can be proud of.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that custom clothing is only for wealthy people or special occasions. A wedding may introduce someone to their first custom suit, but a well-made piece can serve them for years—through interviews, business meetings, celebrations, and other meaningful moments.

Another misconception is that you need a certain body type to look good in a suit. Custom clothing starts with you: your proportions, your style, and how you want to feel. You shouldn’t have to settle for an uncomfortable fit or feel overlooked because something off the rack wasn’t designed with you in mind.

At Crown of Wealth, we make that process approachable. You don’t need to know fabrics or tailoring terminology before coming to us. We guide you through the choices, listen to your vision, and help you create something you’ll feel confident wearing.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?

One of my biggest struggles has been building awareness and earning people’s trust as a small, independent brand. You can believe wholeheartedly in your work, but it takes time for others to discover you and feel comfortable trusting you with something as important as their wedding suit.

Crown of Wealth finished its first year with a loss of about $5,600. That was hard, especially after putting so much time, money, and heart into the business. I had to learn how to turn my creativity into a sustainable business while balancing my engineering career and family responsibilities.

I dealt with it by staying consistent, paying closer attention to costs, and finding creative ways to show our work through videos and storytelling. I listened to customers and focused on giving each person an experience they would want to tell someone else about. My faith and the support of my wife, best friend, and family helped me keep moving forward.

That experience taught me to measure progress beyond immediate sales, while still taking the numbers seriously. Every satisfied customer, referral, and lesson learned gave me something to build on—and a reason to keep going.

What was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

Kanye West and Cristiano Ronaldo—CR7. Calling them my favorite artist and athlete almost feels too small, because both helped shape who I am.

Kanye influenced how I see creativity and express myself. His music was part of my growing up, but his willingness to pursue his ideas across music and fashion made a lasting impression on me. Seeing that made my own ambitions feel possible. Today, when I’m creating for Crown of Wealth, I recognize that influence in my desire to make something personal, take creative chances, and trust my vision.

Ronaldo sparked my passion for playing soccer when I was a child. I watched him and wanted to get out on the field myself. What began as admiration for his talent grew into an appreciation for the work behind it—the discipline, repetition, and determination to keep improving. That mindset has stayed with me beyond the game.

Kanye helped me find the courage to express my creativity, and Ronaldo helped me understand the commitment it takes to develop it. Their influence reaches into how I create, how I work, and how I approach building something of my own. Crown of Wealth carries a piece of both lessons.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

My biggest shoutout goes to my wife, Kourtney. I wouldn’t have Crown of Wealth if it weren’t for her. She literally pushed me to release the brand—to take what I had been envisioning and finally share it with the world. She believed in me and helped give me the courage to take that first step.

People see the clothing, the photos, and the finished product, but they don’t always see the person who helped make it all possible. Her love, patience, encouragement, and sacrifices are part of this brand’s story. She has stood beside me through the excitement and the uncertainty, reminding me of what I’m capable of when I’ve questioned myself. Kourtney, thank you for pushing me to begin and for continuing to believe in me. Every milestone we reach means more because I get to share it with you.

I also want to thank my family and friends for showing up, encouraging me, and sharing my work.

And to every client and customer: thank you for trusting Crown of Wealth with your style and some of your most meaningful moments. From your first custom suit to your wedding day, being part of your story is an honor. Every purchase, referral, and word of encouragement helps us keep building.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

Readers can explore our collections and learn more about Crown of Wealth at www.crownofwealth.com.

Connect with us on social media for our latest designs, customer features, behind-the-scenes moments, and upcoming releases: Instagram @crownofwealthcollection and @crownofwealthco, and Facebook, Crown of Wealth Collection.

Whether you’re planning your wedding, looking for your first custom suit, or discovering our apparel collections, we’d love to connect and create something special for you.

Crown of Wealth gold C W monogram logo on a dark glass wall