Dreams are a representation of our hopes and faith. We all carry them—some small and comforting, others bold and intimidating. Yet, every dream, no matter its size, is valid.
I grew up in a family where hard work was our way of life. My parents were my first heroes in the art of hustle. My mother, whose unending persistence and commitment I have always admired, carved a path for me, shaping my earliest dreams.
As a child, I idolized my father—a lot. Every single day I stepped into school, I dreamed of becoming a civil engineer, believing that this was the key to making my parents proud and achieving a better future for myself. It was a dream rooted in love and respect, and it was valid. Though life later altered that dream, I shot for the stars and didn’t reach them, but I still landed somewhere close—on the moon. I became a land surveyor. The journey wasn’t always easy, but it was mine.
Even as I pursued these goals, there was a quieter passion within me—something less celebrated in our culture: Fashion. In a place where looking good often requires wealth—a luxury I didn’t always have—I still dreamed. I dreamed of sneakers that felt like a second skin, of clothes that expressed who I was. In my dreams, I was confident, stylish. I was seen.
I don’t have the ideal body type, and dressing well often felt like a challenge. But fashion, to me, was never just about clothes; it was a way to make a statement. In high school, I had a slogan— “Just Believe.” I designed it on countless pieces of paper, not because I thought it looked good, but because I believed in the message. I wanted others to feel the power of those words, like on a T-shirt, to wear them like armour. Some days, all I wanted was to feel good in a jumper branded ‘Doroo-ish’. Just for just.
After school, I knew I had to pursue something that resonated with my passions. The best advice I ever received was to follow what you love. For me, that love was fashion.
“Doroo-this, Doroo-that”—that was my mantra for years. Everything I did was in some way attached to ‘Doroo.’ But this time, I wanted to create something bigger than myself, something for everyone who ever dreamed of dressing well and feeling seen. That’s how Garb Stores was born.
Garb is just an English word that means ‘special clothing.’ I chose this name because I didn’t want it to be just another clothing business. I wanted Garb Stores to evoke a feeling, to be the place where you don’t just buy clothes—you buy into a dream. When you wear a Garb Stores product, I want you to feel unique, cared for, and loved—like you’re part of a family. I want you to feel special and seen. I want you to flaunt that Polo shirt or those sneakers knowing that someone out there is rooting for you—yes, us.
Our mission is simple: to bring quality closer to you. We aren’t here just to sell apparel; we’re here to dress your dreams. I always dreamed of wearing quality over quantity, of stepping out of the shadows of thrift shopping and into the spotlight of silks, patterns, Nikes, and Jordan’s. I dreamed of finally being seen.
Garb Stores is the realization of a long-held dream—the dream of a little boy from Lira Central to London College of St. Lawrence. It started as an idea one morning in September last year. I dreamed of bringing high-quality, customized suits to Lira. I designed the first Garb Stores logo on Canva, featuring a sewing machine to symbolize the focus on suits. However, without a physical store, that dream struggled to materialize. I pivoted to other products like Crocs and managed a few online sales.
Fast forward to June this year, with a small capital, I was able to start fresh. Instead of suits, I opted for Polo shirts, T-shirts, jeans, and shoes—items I handpicked myself, prioritizing quality over quantity. So if I tell you that our products are good, trust me, they’re goooood!
But yeah, building Garb Stores hasn’t been without its challenges. It’s my dream, and not everyone is driven to help you realize it or support you. There are days I want to give up, but I can’t quit—I’m not a quitter. Only you can dream on even when the odds appear stacked on some days. You just have to wake up and push on.
I owe so much to the people who’ve walked this path with me. A journey taken alone is short, but one shared with others is boundless. To my family and friends who’ve supported me, who’ve believed in this dream even on the hardest days—I am endlessly grateful. And to my very first clients, you gave that little boy a glimpse of hope to hold on to. Thank you.
To mark this milestone, I’m proud to introduce our September collection, DREAMS, now available at our physical store in Lira and online on our WhatsApp, TikTok, and Instagram accounts. Check our full catalogue on Instagram, link below.
Thank you for believing in this dream with me.
The Imperfect Writer, for Garb Stores Lira.
Location: Aroma Lane, Opposite Goodwill Hardware, Lira City.
Contact us on Tel; 0786448105 (Call and WhatsApp)
Follow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@garb_stores_lira?_t=8pPMSnzeo7R&_r=1
I read these words with gladness that you are sharing with us the journey of stepping into who you truly are. we see you.😊
Garb Stores to the world.