Today we’d like to introduce you to Sergio Reyes, MBA.
Hi Sergio, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story began in one of the most unexpected and challenging moments of my life. During the pandemic, my father was in the ICU battling COVID, and with him being the head of household, we had no sense of what would come next. In the middle of all that uncertainty, he surprised me with a small heat press for my birthday. That gift was the spark that changed everything. I set it up in my bedroom and started printing shirts as a way to support my family and keep myself grounded during a very dark time.
What started as a small hustle slowly grew into something bigger. I fell in love with the process, challenging my inner creativity, and the idea of building something of my own. That bedroom setup turned into a garage operation, then a storage unit, and eventually ONYX INK—now a Miami-based apparel and merchandise company serving clients like Google, FIU, Pollo Tropical, FIFA and more.
There were setbacks, including losing our first warehouse and having to rebuild from scratch, but each challenge pushed me to learn, adapt, and believe in my vision. ONYX INK was built on resilience, grit, and an unwavering commitment to keep moving forward. Today, we have two production locations and are an official partner of FIU Athletics—a full-circle moment that still feels surreal.
Before launching the business fully, I spent months trying to find a job after graduating. When I finally secured one, the company went bankrupt two weeks later. That moment forced a choice: start over or start something of my own. ONYX INK grew out of that turning point—a reminder that sometimes the setbacks we fear most open the door to the future we’re meant for. Today, ONYX INK is a place where tangible branding comes to life, built to uplift and empower, offering a creative space where clients and team members alike feel respected, supported, and part of something meaningful.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. My journey with ONYX INK has been shaped as much by setbacks as by successes. One of the hardest moments came when we lost the warehouse we were operating from. We had just invested in an embroidery machine—something I had saved for tirelessly—and being forced to sell it felt like watching months of progress disappear overnight. Without the space or equipment to continue at that scale, we had to reduce operations and move everything back home.
At the same time, life outside the business was just as unstable. My family and I were evicted from our home in Doral, which added another layer of uncertainty to an already fragile moment. We eventually moved to Hialeah, where we managed to set up shop again in a small garage. It wasn’t ideal, but it gave us just enough room—and just enough hope—to keep going.
Working out of that garage became a turning point. It forced us to operate lean, get creative, and rebuild from the ground up. Every inch of progress since then has come from perseverance, resourcefulness, and refusing to let circumstances define the outcome.
The road has been anything but smooth, but those challenges shaped the foundation of ONYX INK. They taught me resilience, humility, and the power of starting over when you feel like you have nothing left. Looking back, the struggles were not setbacks—they were the moments that built our character as a company.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
During my senior year at FIU, I interned at J.P. Morgan—fully expecting to go into finance. But something in me knew that wasn’t the long-term path I wanted. I graduated from FIU in Spring 2022 and immediately enrolled in the accelerated MBA program at the University of Miami, finishing in December 2022 with the goal of becoming a business consultant.
But after graduating, reality hit hard. I applied to more than 350 jobs, completed dozens of interviews, and still faced rejection after rejection. It was one of the most discouraging periods of my life. I spent my days helping my dad at work and my nights doing Uber Eats just to stay afloat. After midnight, I would come home exhausted and pour whatever energy I had left into rebranding my small side business, then known as Greek 305. Out of those late hours—and that pressure—ONYX INK was born. Not from a perfect plan, but from necessity, resilience, and the belief that I could build something meaningful even when every door seemed to close.
That period became the fuel to create something that could outlive me, something far bigger than a one-person operation. It pushed me to scale ONYX INK into a place where creativity and talent aren’t overlooked—because I know firsthand what it feels like to be capable, motivated, and still passed over in the job market. My goal is to build a company where potential is recognized, where people are given a chance, and where that chance can change everything—just like mine did.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
To me, success is measured by how consistently you can be a net positive—to yourself, your business, and the people around you—regardless of whether the odds are in your favor. It’s about showing up with the same work ethic, passion, and grit in both the highs and the lows. True success isn’t just hitting goals; it’s staying committed to a vision when things are going well and when everything feels like it’s falling apart. Its part of being a leader and It’s the ability to keep moving forward with purpose, resilience, and integrity no matter the circumstances.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://onyx-ink.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/onyxink.co
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyxink
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergioreyes4/
