The ties that bind us
Antoine Stewart is getting his PhD in industrial and systems engineering at Binghamton University while working full-time in Arizona. But he stays connected to his home in the Bronx with his own hat company.
He’s a PhD student in Binghamton University’s industrial and systems engineering (ISE) program, works full-time as a Senior Facilities Controls Engineer in Phoenix and recently created his own hat company called StewartFamilyTies.
Antoine Stewart is a New York native, but his life has always been on the move.
“I was raised in the Bronx by my grandparents. Never having a father and with my mom being in and out of my life as a kid; these factors all played as drivers that forced me to move to Georgia to live with my uncle for high school,” said Stewart. “I was a student-athlete and was awarded both an academic and athletic scholarship to an in-state college. After graduating, with my BS in electronics engineering, I moved to Missouri for my first career job. While I was working full time, I completed my MS and then relocated to Phoenix for a job opportunity out there.”
Stewart decided he wanted to pursue a PhD and started looking for programs that could fit with his busy schedule.
“I credit Dr. Sarah Lam for being my specific point of contact at Binghamton University and the reason I chose the Watson School,” he said. “She was very transparent and answered every single question I had.”
He was able to take core classes toward his degree online and is currently working with his advisor and his employer on the research required to complete his PhD.
Family ties
Despite living all over the country, having those pivotal years in the Bronx had a huge impact on Stewart and his personal style. He said he “always wanted to be in a fresh pair of sneakers and matching hat.” When he realized he had nearly 25 hats, most of which were manufactured from the same company, he decided to create his own hat company.
The company and the design are deeply personal and help connect Stewart back to the family he left behind in the Bronx.
“My mom, my sister and I all have the same initials so that serves as the centerpiece of the design with notches that represent each of my immediate family members.”
The hat also includes the words ‘Heart’ and ‘Faith,’ which Stewart credits for getting him to where he is today.
“Many people believe in a higher power and believe that things will come to fruition as long as they have faith. However, it also takes heart and an internal drive in order for dreams to come true,” said Stewart.
He hopes that his hats will help inspire positivity in others and convey the pride that he feels for his family and his roots.
“Creating a hat business was totally independent of my current degree program,” said Stewart. “However, the pursuit of my PhD in ISE has taught me a few things regarding the startup of a business, like thinking of the business from a holistic perspective. Creating a business model that consisted of potential revenue, marketing strategies, intended markets, quality products and standardization.”