The Empire Journal

How to survive Amsterdam when you're building something

How to survive Amsterdam when you're building something

By Johnagy Akkrum Jun 17, 2026

Amsterdam doesn't wait. Competition everywhere, ambitious people on every corner, and nobody's holding back. So how do you make it here when you're starting from nothing?

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One day or day one: how to start a clothing brand

One day or day one: how to start a clothing brand

By Johnagy Akkrum Jun 17, 2026

One day or day one: you decide. Nobody tells you that samples go wrong, production takes forever, and consistency is what kills most brands in year two. Here's the real...

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A brand for artists, creators, dreamers and doers

A brand for artists, creators, dreamers and doers

By Johnagy Akkrum Jun 17, 2026

L'EMPIRE is built for the artists, creators, dreamers and doers. The people building something real. Here's who we build for and why.

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The grind season is real: here's how to actually get through it

The grind season is real: here's how to actually get through it

By Johnagy Akkrum Jun 17, 2026

The grind season is the phase where results are built but not yet visible. Most people quit during this phase. Here's the exact mindset shift and daily structure that gets...

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What makes a heavyweight t-shirt worth the extra money?

What makes a heavyweight t-shirt worth the extra money?

By Johnagy Akkrum Jun 15, 2026

A heavyweight t-shirt (230–320 gsm) lasts 3–5 years with proper care. A standard 150 gsm shirt rarely survives 18 months. Here’s why fabric weight is the only number that matters...

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