Elvis Papi Edwards: VaprWear
In a market where entrepreneurs are consistently pushing the boundaries of creativity, Elvis Papi Edwards, founder of VaprWear, has taken it upon himself to reintroduce the term ‘functional fashion’ to the industry. He’s created a vaporizer that doubles as a drawstring in his line of high-quality hoodies, allowing patients to access their medication in a discreet and efficient manner. He’s creating a movement, generating a wave, and making his statement in this space of endless innovation. Every detail and every stitch has a story that promotes positivity, philanthropy, and passion – A movement in itself that’s making a major impact!
What was the deciding factor for you to join this particular industry?
Well, I grew up in the Caribbean and my father was in the industry himself. I never used to smoke, but I was always surrounded by the culture. Twenty years later I moved to Colorado; after the state became legal, I saw the opportunity to introduce something new into the market.
What skills from your previous experiences helped you in what you are doing now?
I used to model and was in the fashion world for quite some time. I know the importance of wearing something comfortable and my background in that set me up perfectly for what I’m currently doing with VaprWear.
I know the importance of wearing something comfortable and my background in that set me up perfectly for what I’m currently doing with VaprWear.
Right now, where are you guiding your passion and energy towards?
Helping people. When I came up with the idea for VaprWear, I wasn’t thinking about the profit that it would generate, but about how a wearable smoking device could help the general public. My goal is to help people; whether they are handicapped or suffering from epilepsy, this wearable device makes their medicine available to them at all times. No matter how sick somebody is, they can access their medicine from my product.
Describe your work ethic to me in one word.
I call it #BirdLife. I set goals, stay consistent, and I’m constantly striving for more.
What do you consider your weakness as an entrepreneur? Your strength?
My weakness is that I try to do too much, and I do a lot. In my spare time I’m putting together toy-drives, fundraisers, and anything else I can do to help the community. I love to help people, but at the same time I’m only one person . My strength would be my ability to keep pushing forward in life, refusing to take ‘No’ for an answer.
How are you differentiating yourself from the competition?
There is a lot of passion involved with the VaprWear brand. I put 100% into what I do, so when I release a product, it is going to be the best. It took me eight months to perfect the design and there is no compromise of quality in my hoodies. When you wear my product, you are wearing the highest grade of quality and representing a positive movement.
How do you find inspiration in this industry? What have you found that has inspired you?
You know what really inspires me? I saw so many schools close in Colorado because they couldn’t find the funding to operate at the right level. My daughter was directly affected by this problem and as a result, we had to start homeschooling her. After Colorado became legal, we started to see schools start opening back up again. The tax money that the state generated from legalization allowed them to find the budget needed for the schools to open their doors. I believe the cannabis industry generates positive change and I’m proud to be involved.
I believe the cannabis industry generates positive change and I’m proud to be involved.
Where do your great ideas come from?
I’m a dreamer, a doer, and a leader. All of my life I knew that I was capable of doing big things and making a difference. I have accomplished everything that I’ve set out to accomplish so far and when I set a goal, I put 150% into it. The problem with the majority of people is that they give up too quick. I think the idea of striving for something greater comes from my mother’s expectations of me and she is still with me to this day. She is the reason I started the “bird life” movement. I believe my mother continues to send ideas to me whether it be in my dreams or unexpected things that I encounter in my life.
What is important to you – mission, vision, or core values? Why?
I am a visionary; I like to see things before they happen. I like to be able to sit down and plan out what I’ll be doing tomorrow or even next week.
What will we be seeing from you and VaprWear in the coming future?
VaprWear will expand to every country and continent, it will be worldwide. Anywhere there is a bird, there will be VaprWear.
