Salute the Brave, a clothing line that raises money for veterans, Los Angeles (USC)

EMPLOYEES: 2 full time; 75 college representatives

FINANCIALS: $35,000 in revenue since May 2011 launch.

What led you to start your own company?

I came to USC as a recruited baseball player. After two successful seasons, I was cut by our new coach. I was depressed, went into a social shell. One day in accounting class, I started a conversation with the guy next to me about his tattoo on his wrist that read “Marines.” He spent the next 10 minutes telling me about his trips overseas to serve in the Iraq war. I realized that I needed to stop sulking because I couldn’t play a game anymore. I felt there was a void in the way that young adults can give back to the members of the U.S. armed forces.

Where did you get the startup money?

Salute the Brave got financially going with a loan from my father, Jeff Morris, who is in retail as well. (Jeff Morris was co-owner of Mervyn’s and the son of Mervin G. Morris, founder of Mervyn’s.)

What was the most important lesson you learned?

Listen to your customers. A clothing line is nonexistent without loyal customers. I have also learned to take negativity from others and turn it into motivation.

Does your youth lead to awkward situations, such as when you supervise older workers?

I think that when you deal with older workers, employees and customers, you have to prove to them from the very beginning that you are mature beyond your years as a businessman. I have to prove to them that both my company and my leadership as the CEO are beyond what they perceive that a 22-year-old kid can do.

Will you start another company?

I hope so.

Could you ever work for someone else?

I think if it is the right company and the right person, it could work. As of now though, I plan on being an entrepreneur.

What do you do to relax?

I like being a college kid. I live with 13 guys in a regular college apartment and there is nothing I like more than hanging out with my friends enjoying life as a college kid at such an amazing school like USC. I am also a diehard Bay Area sports fan; I spend lots of summer nights at Giants games.