BY MATT LINDSEYNorth Country This Week

MASSENA — At just eight years old, Amado Brown is proving that big ideas can come from small creators. 

The energetic young artist from Massena, who has ADHD, recently launched his own apparel line called Amado’s World Apparel. His t-shirts feature playful designs, funny one-liners, and colorful artwork that highlight his sense of humor and unique way of seeing the world.

Amado just wants to make people laugh and smile through his shirts, according to Eddie Brown, Amado’s father.

What started as a love for drawing and experimenting with design software quickly grew into a business after his family noticed his passion and encouraged him to share his creations.

“This all started because he found YouTube videos of people making their own t-shirts,” said Brown, Amado’s father. “I bought him a heat press and showed him how to use it. This was started as a way for him to express himself and make his own funny clothes for his own entertainment. So many people loved his shirts that we expanded to an Etsy shop and now we do local events as well.”

Brown, who runs the logistics like purchasing and managing the Etsy shop, says he’s careful to ensure Amado remains at the center of it all.

“I’m teaching him business and trying to do as little as possible so that ownership is as much him within reason. He chooses everything,  which of his designs we print and what materials. He actually presses the shirts himself. I supervise and make sure he is safe and help ensure the designs are aligned properly. He is not allowed to use any of the devices without supervision for obvious reasons. I taught him to fold and package them as well.”

Amado comes up with the ideas himself.

“Amado uses software that provides him with simple shirt templates that he can edit and change,” Brown said. “He picks the templates and colors, fonts, and comes up with funny things himself. Never know when he’s just going to have a funny thought pop in his head and he has to run to the computer to write it down.”

Brown and his wife, Flos, help guide Amado when needed but make sure the designs stay true to his voice.

“For example the shirt he was wearing in the photo, he originally had about 20 robots on it. I had him narrow it down to 4 as it was cluttered. The software has uncountable stock images and fonts so he can make anything his brain comes up with. His mom and I do also help with any words or phrases he uses and guide him so they make more sense but again we try our best not to be intrusive and let him be himself.”

They send the designs to a company that creates the transfers, and then Amado prints everything at home.

So far, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Between Etsy and events he sold close to 100 shirts. This business is 100% for him. All profit goes towards his future art classes and education. Right now it’s something that he wants to do long-term. He has dreams of making this a brand.”

For Amado, the business is more than just fun, it’s empowering.

“Amado has struggled at times with his ADHD,” Brown said. “Even at this young age he has felt like he is different. Doing art and the T-shirts make him feel like he is seen. He loves making people laugh and smile and he takes great pride in the work he has done so far. He wants others with his diagnosis to know it’s ok and feel seen. He just wants people to smile, giggle a little, and spark conversations.”

Amado’s shirts can be found at https://amadosworldapparel.etsy.com

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