Amaurys "Bronx Native" Grullon drops Bronx truth bombs on the REAL Mentors Podcast; raw stories of hustle, heartbreak, and unbreakable pride from a kid raised in Section 8 who built a cultural empire without leaving home.

Co-founder of Bronx Native, Amaurys Grullon shares how he and his sister turned "no Bronx merch" into a Mott Haven flagship store, Nike collabs, Yankees deals, and a movement blending creativity, entrepreneurship, and community giveback. He gets real about "crabs in a barrel" gatekeeping, scarcity mindset pulling down local success, and why staying rooted blocks from Cardinal Hayes beats escaping. From Pentecostal single-mom roots and dad’s pool hall hustle to NYT fame off pop-ups, Amaurys reveals his "more is more" blueprint for thriving in the BX.

This Episode Explores:

- Bronx Native origins: Apartment shelf to global brand in 2015

- "Crabs in a barrel": Community pushback and gatekeeper lows

- "No pressure, no diamond": Embracing struggle for growth

- Scarcity mindset vs. optimism—protecting "precious energy"

- 2016 breakthrough: Events, networking, NYT feature, pop-up magic

- "Most beautiful place on earth": Reframing Bronx pride amid stereotypes

- Building creative ecosystem (GET Studios, Tag Up, Change the Narrative)

- "Comfortable in your uncomfortability" staying local while scaling

- Father hustler lessons, early art commissions, school-to-SVA journey

- Future 2026 vision: Books, docs, festivals, drives for BX unity

- Real talk on Bronx entrepreneurship, mindset shifts, cultural pride, and rising above—perfect for hustlers chasing legacy from the streets.

🔗 Connect with Amaurys Grullon

Instagram: www.instagram.com/amaurysgrullon

Bronx Native: www.bronxnativeshop.com

www.instagram.com/thebronxnative

Follow REAL Mentors Podcast

Instagram: @realmentorspodcast

Host Sean Martin: @theseanmartin

Tags & Keywords

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