How I Started

Welcome to Spera! I’m Reece, the founder, and I want to take a moment to share the heart behind this brand and why it exists in the first place. Spera isn’t just about selling clothing—it’s about creating something meaningful, something that inspires hope and spreads joy. But it’s also a way for me to connect with you, the person reading this, and share my story.

Starting a business has always been on my mind. Even in high school, I was taking business classes and dreaming of creating something that could make a real impact. My senior year, I took a college-level class called Virtual Enterprises International, where we got to run a virtual business as a class. It was my first taste of entrepreneurship, and while it wasn’t perfect—what do you expect from a bunch of high school seniors?—it taught me a lot about leadership and business. In 2024, I wrote down my goals for the year, something I’d never done before, but I felt driven to take action. One of those goals was to start a business.

At first, I tried freelance copywriting. It wasn’t easy—I reached out to 107 potential clients and got 107 rejections before finally landing one job writing for my teacher, who owns two large boat rental companies. That experience gave me confidence, but as graduation approached, freelance work slowed, and I felt a pull to revisit my goal of starting a business. I knew it was time to take a risk.

Around this time, my faith was growing stronger. I had been a non-denominational Christian all my life but officially became Catholic about a month before graduation. During this transition, I spent a lot of time praying and reflecting on what kind of business I wanted to start. I considered starting a social media marketing agency, but it didn’t feel right. Then, I thought about my faith—how much it had saved me, especially during dark times like when I struggled with thoughts of suicide in 7th grade. I also thought about the stereotypes Christians often face and how I could help bridge the gap between believers and non-believers. That’s when the idea for Spera was born.

I wanted to create clothing that was stylish, inclusive, and rooted in Christian inspiration—clothing that could bring people together and share a positive message without being divisive. The name “Spera” comes from the Latin word for “hope.” I chose Latin because it’s the root of so many languages, symbolizing inclusion across cultures. Hope is at the core of what Spera stands for: leaving an impact on the world by spreading uplifting, faith-inspired messages that resonate with everyone, regardless of their background or beliefs.

The journey from idea to reality wasn’t easy, but it was exciting. I started by sketching designs during my high school classes—sorry to my teachers—and showing them to people for feedback. After refining my ideas, I found a manufacturer to bring my first design to life. My early supporters were friends and family, which was both encouraging and a little discouraging. I knew I had a strong message and product, but scaling beyond my immediate circle felt like a daunting challenge.

Despite the struggles, the support I’ve received from my community has kept me going. Hearing from customers who love the material, designs, or the message behind Spera is incredibly motivating. One of my favorite stories is about a customer who wore one of my shirts to school and got compliments on the design. It wasn’t just about the compliment—it was about the fact that they were proudly sharing a message of hope and positivity. That’s what Spera is all about: bringing people together, spreading joy, and standing for what you believe in.

Looking ahead, I have big dreams for Spera. I want to expand our reach, starting in Illinois and growing nationwide. One day, I hope to create a scholarship fund to help students pursue higher education, making a direct impact on their futures. I also dream of mentoring other entrepreneurs through a brand incubator program and speaking in schools to inspire kids to think outside the box and chase their dreams. And as Spera grows, I want to create jobs and opportunities within the community.

Spera is more than just a clothing brand—it’s a movement of hope and positivity. Whether you’re Christian or not, or whether you like pineapple on pizza or not, Spera is here to bridge the gap between different people and bring everyone together under the message of hope. I hope this story has given you a glimpse into the heart of Spera and my journey as its founder. Now, I have just one request for you: live, spread, and wear hope.