What started as a means to make an honest dollar on the city's street corners has now blossomed into a burgeoning enterprise. Once known simply as the 'Water Boyz,' a trio of young Atlanta entrepreneurs have turned selling bottled water at busy intersections into a full-fledged business venture, dubbed Water Boyz in the Hood. "I was on Northside Drive when I was like 16, 15. I was just trying to make honest dollars, stay out of trouble, and get money," Sergio Tate told Fox 5 Atlanta.
Together with Mekhai Wilson and Amir Douglas, formerly independent water sellers, the organization has not only achieved the formation of an LLC but also gained mentors and a steady storefront at the Trap Museum. Wilson, reflecting on their beginnings, stated, "When we were out there on the corner, we were getting labeled as one thing, and we were not out there doing all the illegal things, we were trying to make a legal way," as reported by Fox 5 Atlanta. They pursued selling not just any water, but their own branded bottles, advancing from mere distributors to proprietors.
Their entrepreneurial spirit is inspirational, showcasing a transition from roadside sales to a recognized local brand with their own merchandise. Amir, co-owner of Water Boyz 'N the Hood, expressed this drive succinctly, asserting, "It can't be on you. It's gotta be in you," as 11Alive reported. Their business savvy was not overnight; it has been around nine years since Amir sold his first water bottle at the tender age of seven or eight.
Mentors played a key role, with some finding the boys and offering guidance as they sold water on Northside Drive. Emerging from dealing with law enforcement's efforts to discourage their street-side vending, the Water Boyz have embraced a new way of operating. "Being on Northside Drive, we used to always come to the Trap Museum and sell regular water. So now being able to have our own storefront at the Trap Museum, that is a big blessing because I remember just coming up here and selling without a spot, so to invest in that, that was cool," Wilson remarked to Fox 5 Atlanta. The group has ambitions to extend their reach beyond the Trap Museum, aiming to stock their water in more Atlanta stores.
Beyond commercial success, these business-minded youths aspire to be role models. Wilson has expressed his desire to show other kids that there are constructive ways to succeed. "I want to show the younger youth we can do things in a positive way if you put your mind to it," he noted to Fox 5 Atlanta. Their message, along with their water products, is spreading, with Water Boyz in the Hood products available directly at the Trap Museum and at select stores around Atlanta. For more information, interested patrons and inspired youths alike can follow them on Instagram @waterboyzinthehood.
