High quality apparel.
Made To Spread Love.
Unique and intriguing designs.
Made to remind you that you are always loved.
This defines the business, Eternal Love .
Rakan Alqadi, the owner of Eternal Love and Raccoon Kickz, is not only an entrepreneur and a college student, but also an AHS alumni. Not only graduating in 2023 but finishing his time on the track and on the football field. He is now majoring in Business, focusing on the marketing of his businesses and attending George Mason University.
Back in 2020, past A-Blast staff writer Eldana Mengistu interviewed Rakan Alqadi about Raccoon Kickz, Alqadi’s shoe business. Now, like a full circle moment, the A-Blast will feature him a second time fixating on his rising apparel business, Eternal Love.
Eternal Love was first started by Alqadi in his senior year of Annandale High School in January 2023. However, this wasn’t his first time handling a business. According to Alqadi, he recalls first diving into the world of business around 8th grade and first-year student year. First, being introduced to the depth of business through his shoe business, Raccoon Kickz.
Eternal Love first started with Alqadi doodling around and wanting to do something different, something of his own.
For his unique and appealing designs, he gathered inspiration from various people – online and friends.
“I have people around me who are supportive, so I am able to get nice designs out whether it comes from me or them,” said Alqadi.
He felt the shoe business market had become oversaturated, and felt the urgency to branch out.
“Instead of selling another company’s item like Jordans, I can make my own and sell it. A clothing market can not be oversaturated because people need clothes every day,” said Alqadi.
Now, Alqadi views his business constantly blooming, now getting 1–2 orders on a daily basis rather than weekly. However, he was not immediately overbooked with orders at the start of his business. As he focused on advertising it to his target community.
“ So I got them [Alqadi’s friends] to repost my stuff and my stuff on business account. I gave free stuff and low deals to get the name of the brand out there. Word gets around, I gave out like 50% sales off and did things to grab people’s attention,” said Alqadi.
In his senior year at AHS he simultaneously delivered his business, miraculously balancing his extracurriculars, business and studies.
“ I separated my time afterschool – every day I focused on my business regardless, I would always do my homework and get stuff done in school as quickly as possible. So I could get work done throughout my day as I didn’t want to stack up anything,” Alqadi said.
“Usually all my work would be done in class rather than outside.”
Even as a freshman college student, Alqadi has able to seamlessly handle both businesses and studies as he did in his time at AHS.
On a regular day,
“ I go to school, I get my homework done, I do my packing for my clothes and organize my stockroom and make sure all orders are out in the next couple of days,” said Alqadi.
His regular routine of attending the gym, his classes and focusing on work helps ensure he hits all necessary points of his day.
His favorite part about handling his own business is the freedom of putting out what he wants to put out.
“ I am able to do what I want, I can put in what I want, I can experiment, I’ve made full zip can the face, some without, some with strings, some with puff, there are a lot of designs you can do, embroidery, and overall you have full control, and you could do whatever you want. Nobody can really stop you.”
Reflecting on his experience and journey, Alqadi wouldn’t change a thing.
“I wouldn’t change anything because with everything I’ve done now, it’s who I am today and I wouldn’t take anything for granted,” said Alqadi.
For the future, Alqadi has many ambitions of expanding his business by making his own shoes, combining both his shoe and apparel business. Additionally, he views the future as a possibility for growth of his business, expanding into an established store for his business.
To any student thinking of creating a business, Alqadi gives out advice as a business owner of two blooming businesses. In the previous 2020 interview, Alqadi said,
“One piece of advice I have for people who want to start a business is to save money. Don’t spend it all in one place. Patience is also key to starting a business. It will always start slowly and get faster over time. You do it yourself and always push for what you want.”
In 2024, Alqadi comes with more advice based on his own experience of managing both of his businesses.
“ Just do it. Anything can be sold and anything can be done with the right advertising. That’s why I’m focusing on marketing. At the end of the day, anything can be sold, and any idea is a good idea,” said Alqadi.
“There are a lot of crazy things in this world that have been sold that are popular, and your idea could be the next billion-dollar idea.”
Show Eternal Love some support and get some amazing quality apparel for up to 50% off by visiting,
eternalloveapparel.com!
