Randy, born in 1971 in New York City, is a Generation X member and the oldest son of Mussy and Pop Pop. His background is a unique blend of Chicken Adobo and Presbyterian potlucks, a mix of Manila and Madison Avenue. In 1980, the Allison family, including Randy, relocated to Southern California in their 1976 Caprice Estate Station wagon, packed with wood-grain panels. Growing up under the smoggy skies of 1980s Los Angeles, Randy, as a pre-teen, learned valuable life lessons—sometimes the hard way. These experiences fostered his deep appreciation for family, food, fashion, and faith.

ALTER X Company, founded on the principle of purposeful living, believes life is most fulfilling when dedicated to serving others and making choices that benefit both people and the planet. This ethos is the essence of what they call “PURPOSE APPAREL.” While embracing this approach may require slowing down, it’s a worthwhile detour that enriches life.

Andra : Randy, can you give our readers a brief introduction to ALTER X Co. and the motivation behind it?

Randy : Certainly. My wife and I have been running a home health company for a decade, focusing on elderly care and providing clinical services. My wife’s diverse experience, which includes working in schools, prisons, and burn units, kindled her passion for aiding Native Americans. This led us to seize an opportunity in San Carlos, Arizona, where she initially joined as a school nurse on a reservation. When the schools closed, she pivoted to working in a COVID hospital set up in a casino. Living in a trailer near the reservation, I managed our business remotely. This period was enlightening, especially understanding the cultural and economic challenges faced by the Native American community. Witnessing first hand a population that was struggling on so many fronts debunked the myth that casino revenues adequately support these communities, revealing a stark reality of poverty and limited access to resources.

Our time there, coupled with regular drives back to Los Angeles as COVID-19 unfolded around us, gave us space to reevaluate. I reflected deeply on my role as an entrepreneur and citizen, pondering how I could contribute positively in such trying times. This led me to explore the intersection of hunger, poverty, and food access, particularly in the rural South, an area familiar to my family. I was struck by the disparities highlighted in Feeding America’s hunger map, particularly in states like Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, and Alabama. Learning all of this fueled my desire to initiate change, not just on a macro scale but through individual actions that could make a significant impact.

Eventually, I landed on the fashion industry as a vehicle for change. Despite initial skepticism, I was driven to start an apparel company with a purpose. Our goal was not just to create sustainable and ethically produced apparel but to infuse each piece with a sense of purpose. We aimed to move beyond the conventional view of fashion as either a statement or a commodity, introducing a model where each purchase contributes to a greater good.

Andra : Your commitment to fighting hunger, especially in impoverished communities, is commendable. What experiences or events played a pivotal role in shaping this dedication?

Randy : The foundation of my approach to life and business is deeply rooted in my family history. I am half Filipino, with my mother hailing from a modest background in the Philippines. She and my father, who met in New York where I was born, instilled in me a unique perspective on life. Growing up, the way my mother viewed and valued possessions was markedly influenced by her experiences of relative poverty. She was what some might call a ‘pack rat’, but it was more about seeing value in everything and being resourceful. We recycled before it was a widespread practice, stretched every dollar, and she skillfully mended our clothes, embedding in us the idea that thriftiness can be a form of creativity.

My father played a crucial role too. He involved us in church activities, volunteered in the inner city, and had us join a Boy Scouts troop in an urban setting. These experiences exposed us to realities different from our own, particularly the dynamics of single parent households, which were less common in the nuclear family structure of the 80s. This early exposure to diverse community settings underscored the importance of being connected and helping those who are struggling.

These experiences were the seeds of service and giving back, which have become integral to our family ethos. It was a natural progression for us to move to a reservation to serve the community, following in the footsteps of a family tradition of fostering children, including our foster daughter. We’ve always believed that contributing to society isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about the small, everyday acts of kindness and support.

In my professional life, this philosophy translates into what we call ‘purpose apparel’. We believe everyone has the opportunity to contribute positively, regardless of the scale. It’s not about needing a website or a big platform; it’s about seeing and seizing opportunities to help in your immediate environment. For instance, assisting a financially struggling neighbor is as valuable as any large scale philanthropic effort. This ethos is central to our business and personal lives, highlighting the belief that significant change often comes from everyday people doing everyday things. Our goal is to facilitate and encourage these individual contributions to the wider community.

Andra : During the height of the COVID pandemic, you undertook a considerable commitment in Arizona. Can you share some insights from that experience and its impact on you?

Randy : Our time on the reservation was a profound eye opener. My wife worked at the hospital, and as I accompanied her, the hardships of life on the reservation became increasingly apparent. One of the most noticeable issues was the prevalence of obesity among the Apache people. This, I believe, stems from a combination of factors, including limited food choices and deeply entrenched eating habits.

In these rural areas, separated from urban centers, the predominance of fast food and lack of nutritious options in supermarkets were evident. The high cost and limited availability of fresh produce further exacerbate these dietary challenges. Observing the general well being of the community, it was clear that obesity, along with related health issues like gout, significantly impacted both their physical and mental health.

Access to healthcare was another significant challenge. The community’s private nature and suspicion towards outsiders posed difficulties, especially for my wife, who is Caucasian. Despite some initial wariness, her commitment to helping was unwavering, even when she contracted COVID-19 herself. After recovering, she immediately returned to her duties, a true testament to her dedication.

Similar to the rural South, we noticed other pervasive issues, such as diabetes, lack of transportation affecting access to food, and a consequent reliance on mobile food pantries. Unfortunately, alcoholism and drug abuse, often symptoms of broader societal problems like single parent households and unemployment, were also prevalent. Job opportunities were scarce, primarily limited to casino employment, leading to a dependence on subsidies.

This experience was a powerful lesson in humility and gratitude. Being immersed in such a setting forced me to reevaluate my life priorities and highlighted the disparity between so-called ‘first world problems’ and the challenges faced by these communities. It underscored the immense blessings most of us have and reinforced the importance of giving back, a principle that has profoundly influenced my outlook and actions ever since.

Andra : You mentioned mobile pantries, I’ve come across a number of organizations that utilize them to combat food deserts and other impediments to food access with great success.

Let’s talk about how ALTER X Co. collaborates with The Mississippi Food Network and why you chose this particular partner?

Randy : Absolutely. Mississippi caught my attention during my research due to its consistently high ranking in hunger and poverty. It serves as a stark reminder that issues like hunger and poverty are widespread, affecting every county in the U.S. to some extent.

During a visit to Mississippi I reached out to the Mississippi Food Network in Jackson. My wife, who’s originally from Arkansas, and I were in the state for Thanksgiving and we met with Director, Kelly Mott. I was instantly struck by the incredible work they do and proposed using my T-shirt company as a platform to raise awareness about the food access challenges they face. Our connection with the team there was immediate. The people working in these food banks are remarkable; many of them once relied on these resources themselves and now contribute to running them. One of the programs that stood out to me was the backpack program, which helps children who rely on school lunches by providing them food to take home. Mississippi Food Network is unique in its statewide service, operating efficiently and exemplifying resilience in the face of limited resources.

Driving through Mississippi, especially from Little Rock to Jackson, the extent of rural poverty and systemic issues become apparent. It’s not just about the lack of jobs or the politics; it’s about the spirit of the people. Despite their hardships, they exhibit incredible resilience and community spirit. This is something I find deeply inspiring – the way these communities connect and support each other. Visiting a food pantry run by Tyrone Newman in Terry, Mississippi, was especially eye-opening. They’ve created a supermarket-like experience for people seeking food aid, which adds a layer of dignity to the process. This approach resonates with me deeply – it’s not just about providing food, but offering hope. Mississippi’s challenges and resilience continue to inspire our brand and my personal ethos.

Andra : Weaving dignity into the giving experience is so important. Unfortunately, there’s an inherent stigma around utilizing food banks or SNAP benefits. In my opinion – we all pay taxes. When people fall on hard times, food assistance is a public good that’s available to them. That’s that.

Every mission driven initiative has its challenges. What obstacles have you encountered with ALTER X Co. and how did you overcome them?

Randy : Let me start by saying, I recognize that the world does not need another T-shirt company. There are countless T-shirts filling up landfills, and simply adding to that doesn’t align with our purpose. The key challenge in starting any small business is understanding why you’re doing it. It’s crucial to go beyond the product or service and identify the core need you’re fulfilling. In our case, ALTER X was born out of the belief that people need more than just material possessions. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of community and connection, which became our driving force.

Our ‘why’ is to inspire individuals to make a difference while wearing our premium organic T-shirts. It’s not about the shirt itself but what people do in it. Starting a business requires a clear understanding of how your product or service contributes to the greater good.

Entrepreneurship comes with its share of challenges, and success rates are low, but by anchoring ourselves in our mission, we’re committed to overcoming any obstacles we face. I’ve had experience starting a homecare company with my wife, which taught us the value of providing fair and meaningful employment. We set out to do things differently by prioritizing sustainability, fair wages, and durable materials, even if it costs a bit more. We believe in educating consumers about the importance of these choices.

In the end, ALTER X aims to make a small but significant change by encouraging individuals to be mindful of their impact on the world. It’s about recognizing that each person’s choices contribute to larger outcomes, and together, we can make a positive difference.

Andra : I love that it’s not just a shirt, it’s the story behind the shirt and the story that continues while wearing the shirt. An experience more than a piece of clothing, which I think is wonderful.

For our readers inspired by your story and the work of ALTER X Co., how can they best support your mission?

Randy : First and foremost, I would emphasize the importance of finding a purpose that extends beyond oneself. It’s about giving back to our communities and serving others. Forget about the shirt for a moment; what truly matters is making a positive impact.

At ALTER X, we’ve expanded our focus to include various causes such as hunger, human trafficking, and mental health. We understand that not everyone resonates with the same cause, so we aim to connect with different areas of purpose. You can explore these collaborations on our website.

Our goal is to inspire individuals to find their own purpose and contribute positively to the world. We believe that everyone is created for something greater than themselves. When you shift your mindset to live outside of yourself and serve others, it’s truly transformative. It broadens your perspective and brings meaning and satisfaction, even in the face of adversity.