Hempsmith’s Origins
Zafer with the original Hempsmith Leaf Tea
Arlo and Zafer in Boulder, CO
My brother, Zafer created Hempsmith back in 2014.
It started out as a joke. He bought a few hemp tee shirts and had a cannabis leaf embroidered on the chest.
Turns out a hemp leaf looks a lot like a marijuana leaf... and people began to take notice. Zboy sold some tees to friends and classmates before packing up and heading out to university in Colorado.
Hempsmith took the backburner as he began taking business classes in Boulder. The goal was to raise some cash and finish school before diving in head first. He understood that the fashion industry would be changing in the coming years and identified industrial hemp as a solid alternative to plastic fibers.
Zafer died of a heroin overdose on April 14th, 2016.
I was left in shock. My life changed quickly after that, and I realized I could take Hempsmith and build something that could hold Zafer forever.
I was a senior in high school and ordered the first 50 tees and started a website. My buddy’s mom was a lawyer and we incorporated in June, 2016. I learned to screen print, and tie dye, and the business was born.
In 2020 we opened the Hempsmith Atelier at the Plant in Pittsboro, NC. We now have a true headquarters; where we plan to take this brand to the next level. Our goal is to demonstrate a restorative economy. And look fresh while doing it.