Five childhood friends turned business partners: The KodeCustoms journey
KodeCustoms Members (from left to right): Michael Thomas, Hassan Hassan, Malcom Green, Cayeden Huynh and Donal Fadlalmawla | Credit: Ky Smiley, BLACKXBOLD Chief Photographer
The transition from childhood best friends to business partners could not have been smoother for these five Columbus-local young men.
Embarking on a unique venture to make their own waves in the emerging fashion capital, Ohio State student Hassan Hassan, a third-year in computer science, and his four friends, Donal Fadlalmawla and Cayeden Huynh, who attend Columbus State, along with Malcolm Green and Michael Thomas, formed the custom-made tufted rug brand, KodeCustoms.
KodeCustoms was born out of a simple desire to express their passion for creativity and create a sense of community.
"We just wanted to create something unique," said Hassan, echoing the shared sentiments of his friends. "We saw a gap in the market and we wanted to fill it with our own designs.”
“We also wanted to make money.” Fadlalmawla added sheepishly, earning a smile from the childhood friend group.
As college students, such motivation is what encouraged the group to pursue the new business last year. The friends said after coming up with KodeCustoms, they set out the very next day to purchase their supplies and start executing their brand.
The Process
It all starts with a pen and a projector in the basement of Huynh’s home.
The group said creating a KodeCustom rug is a meticulous and personal process that reflects the dedication of the five friends behind the brand. Drawing inspiration from pop culture icons, characters from popular shows or personalized requests, the design is then translated into a detailed sketch onto a canvas.
From there, the rug design is outlined using a yarn gun, where the friends say they make sure to stay true to the design, taking the time to ensure all details are accurate to the drawing. Then, each rug is strategically woven, cut and sealed to ensure that every piece is unique and carries the signature touch of its creators.
Malcom Green spinning yarn in preparation for a new rug. | Credit: Ky Smiley, BLACKXBOLD Chief Photographer
The finished product is then subjected to a rigorous quality check to ensure that it meets the brand’s high standards before being released to the customer. The members said this dedication is at the heart of KodeCustoms’ ethos and is evident in every piece they create.
In recent years, a popular fashion style known as “streetwear” and “Y2K” has taken the fashion scene by storm. With styles nodding to the early 2000s, the design can best be described as bold, tapping into the nostalgia of the 2000s and incorporating trendy pieces of present day. Those who are familiar with KodeCustoms can argue they are no stranger to this growing trend.
While the brand is unique in its vision and delivery, competition looms over the company. Major corporations and wholesalers, who are aware of the emerging Gen-Z fashion trends, have the ability to create thousands of stylish rugs on a large scale. When asked about the competition, KodeCustoms was clear to distinguish themselves from mass producers.
“Other rugs are from manufacturers and they are printed onto a rug and the design wears off,” Fadlalmawla said. “Our rugs are hand-made from scratch, and we never sell a product that isn’t 100% good quality.”
He also said one of the things that sets KodeCustoms apart from other streetwear brands is its focus on handcrafted designs.
"We do everything ourselves, from sketching out the designs to weaving the rugs," said Thomas. "We're not interested in mass-producing products, we want each piece to be unique."
Donal Fadlalmawla holds a finished product of a Cincinnati Bengals rug he customized. | Credit: Ky Smiley, BLACKXBOLD Chief Photographer
What’s Next?
As college students who also work part-time, the founders of KodeCustoms have a lot on their plate. However, this does not stop the team from pursuing this business endeavor or even thinking about their place in the future.
The business partners said they do not want to be known as just a “rug company,” but instead as a creative group of friends. Their focus on authenticity and artistry is evident in every aspect of their brand.
"We're not just trying to sell products; we're trying to build a community," explained Green. "We want people to feel like they're part of something bigger when they buy from us."
The artistic team said they hope to expand the business to offer more products like jewelry, clothes and home decor.
With KodeCustoms headquartered in the basement of Huynh’s home, the group said they aspire to own their own studio in Downtown Columbus to better optimize their workspace and host rug-creating workshops.
Despite being a local company, the dedication to their craft has not gone unnoticed.
“We've had a lot of positive feedback from our customers," Huynh said. "People appreciate the attention to detail and the personal touch that goes into each piece."
The group is not only well-received by the local community. One of the major highlights for this growing business was increasing their product’s visibility through a famous entertainer, Din Muktar, commonly known as Agent00. He became one of KodeCustoms’ many supporters last year.
KodeCustoms members, Malcolm Green, Hassan Hassan and Donal Fadlalmawla pictured with Agent00 (center, pink shirt). | Courtesy of KodeCustoms
Looking ahead, the founders of KodeCustoms said they are excited about the future.
"We've got a lot of ideas for new products and collaborations," said Hassan. "We're looking forward to growing the brand and reaching even more people."
Although KodeCustoms seeks to grow its brand, the group said at the end of the day, it's not just about the products; it's about the people.
"We're really grateful for the support we've received from our customers and our community," said Fadlalmawla. "It's what motivates us to keep going."
In a world full of emerging young talent, KodeCustoms demonstrates they are more than just a brand; instead, they are a testament to the power of friendship, creativity, and the result of following one's passion.
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Want to bring your dream rug to life? Contact KodeCustoms through their Instagram!