Sacramento State sociology major Humberto Ramirez grew up in Salinas, Calif. in a loving home, but in a dangerous environment that ultimately inspired him with his new clothing business.

“When I go back home, I can still see the bullet hole that nearly missed my head during a drive by when I was 10-years-old,” Ramirez said. “I wanted to create a business that could make sure my family in the future could live in a better place.”

In 2013, Ramirez was finally able to create his business, Fantasy Clothing Company, that proved to be popular, as all his designs immediately sold out.

A combination of money saved from his years of being a tutor, waiter, carpenter and a small loan, Fantasy Clothing Company was born.

“It took a few thousand to start my clothing company.” Ramirez said. “I used a small loan to complete the total. Now the loan is paid off and the company is growing.”

With prices ranging from $10 to $25, Ramirez said he focuses on selling affordable clothes for college students, with unique designs and good fabrics like the 100 percent ring spun cotton used to make his T-shirts.

All of the clothes in his collection have graphics on them and he said the meaning behind his designs are to “keep striving for what you believe in.”

The name Fantasy Clothing comes from his want for people to feel like they can do anything if they pursue it. The company’s logo is a four leaf clover, but Ramirez said luck is only as important as the work you put in.

“Your fantasy is like a four leaf clover,” Ramirez said. “They’re both hard to find, you just have to go out and get them.”

Fantasy Clothing was started in Sacramento and Ramirez uses Sac State students along with other supporters to promote his line.

Gamma Phi Beta sorority sister Heather Horton was one of the students he asked to model his last collection.

“I love how the clothes feel and wear them all the time,” Horton said. “Fantasy gives me a chance to live a dream of being a model and be apart of something from the beginning.”

Ramirez said he wants to be a counselor and uses his clothing line to help people in a different way. Last year in Salinas, he led a fundraiser that raised $500 and donated 30 hoodies to families involved in the Philippines Typhoon in 2013.

“Sometimes you can’t change the situation around you, but at least your clothes can make you feel good and give you confidence.” Ramirez said. “My goal is to make clothes that look stylish and fit comfortably.”

Ramirez’s right hand man,Rodrigo Duarte, said Ramirez is doing well because he makes everyone who is involved in the business feel like it is their company.

“Whenever [Ramirez] mentions the company he always says ‘our company,’” Duarte said. “He asks everyone who is apart of the company for ideas that he always takes into consideration.”

Education plays a major role in Ramirez’s life and said it open doors to many opportunities. He is in his junior year and plans to graduate next year.  

His father owns a business and knows how time consuming running one can be, and Ramirez said both his parents wanted him to finish school before trying to start something that could lead to distractions.

“My parents think I’m moving too fast and will fall off track,” Ramirez said.”But no matter how hard it gets, I’m determined to graduate and run Fantasy.”

Most of his products are sold online nationwide at Fantasyclothings.com, but he soon plans to get his clothing in boutiques throughout California.

On April 20, Fantasy Clothing will release new shirts that have a music note resembling the letter M with the message “music heals the soul”.

Ramirez said music is very important to him and gets his inspiration from one of his favorite Rap artists, California native Nipsey Hussle.

Ramirez contacted one of Nipsey Hussle’s closest associates, Jorge Peniche, on Instagram to let him know how influential the rapper’s independent record label ,“ All Money In No Money Out,” has been on his clothing company.

Peniche responded by showing gratitude and support for Ramirez’s clothing and offered advice.  

“I respect the hard work. [Ramirez] keeps putting out products,” Peniche said. “The  company has a chance to be real successful if they stay competitive, creative, and consistent.”