Indigenous-SME Small Business Magazine interviews Sean Rayland-Boubar, founder of Red Rebel Armour, a social enterprise that redefines streetwear with a mission. Since its founding in 2019, Red Rebel Armour has become more than a brand; it’s a lifeline for Indigenous men, women, and two-spirit individuals reentering society after incarceration. Sean, an ex-gang member and recovering addict, transformed his life through social entrepreneurship, finding in streetwear an outlet to express his identity and support his family. Inspired by his own journey of healing, Sean pursued a diploma in Indigenous Social Entrepreneurship after studying Social Innovation and Community Development at RRC Polytech. Today, he’s using his experiences to bridge gaps, reduce barriers, and uplift his community—merging fashion and purpose to inspire change.
Sean Rayland-Boubar founded Red Rebel Armour in 2019, transforming his life as an ex-gang member and addict into a journey of healing through social entrepreneurship. During sobriety, Sean found streetwear as an outlet to express his identity and support his family.
His lived experiences inspired him to reduce barriers for Indigenous men, women, and two-spirit individuals reentering society after incarceration. Sean pursued a diploma in Indigenous Social Entrepreneurship after studying Social Innovation and Community Development at RRC Polytech, merging streetwear fashion and social enterprise to uplift his community and inspire change.
From overcoming personal adversity to creating Red Rebel Armour, how did your journey shape the brand’s mission to support Indigenous communities and individuals reentering society?
With my lived experience as a former gang member and a deep understanding of the socio-economic barriers our community faces, I felt driven to create a path for others to find their way out. Combining my skills in e-commerce, social enterprise, and love for streetwear rooted in ancestral knowledge, I wondered: how could I build something that tells stories, generates revenue, and drives social change? Initially, it was about helping my community. But as I grew personally and as an entrepreneur, I identified key lessons that led to the mission and vision of Red Rebel Armour.
Our goal is simple: meet people where they are, providing fast access to income through on-the-job training in a culturally safe environment. The next step is designing pieces that preserve our culture, share our story, and generate revenue to sustain our operations and, ultimately, our impact.
How did Futurpreneur’s Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program (IESP) empower you to turn Red Rebel Armour into a successful business, and what specific resources made the most impact?
The Futurpreneur Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program (IESP) empowered me to transform Red Rebel Armour by providing foundational support and key resources. The program’s funding gave me the financial start I needed, while mentorship allowed me to refine my business strategy and overcome early challenges. Access to training in financial management, networking opportunities, and a supportive community of Indigenous entrepreneurs were instrumental in helping me build a sustainable business with a strong social impact.
Indigenous entrepreneurs often face unique barriers. Can you share some of these challenges and how programs like Futurpreneur’s loan offerings can help Indigenous-owned businesses thrive?
Indigenous entrepreneurs often face unique challenges like limited access to capital, mentorship, and culturally relevant resources. Programs like Futurpreneur’s loan offerings are impactful because they provide critical funding and culturally aligned guidance to help Indigenous-owned businesses succeed. Access to capital helps overcome financial barriers, while the program’s mentorship and training empower Indigenous entrepreneurs with skills and networks to grow sustainably. This support fosters not only business growth but also a deeper connection to community and cultural values, helping businesses like Red Rebel Armour thrive.
Red Rebel Armour is much more than a fashion brand—it’s a social enterprise. How do your designs and initiatives promote Indigenous culture and create opportunities for those reintegrating into society?
Red Rebel Armour is more than a fashion brand—it’s a mission-driven social enterprise dedicated to preserving Indigenous culture and supporting community members as they reintegrate into society. Our designs carry cultural significance, incorporating symbols and stories that promote Indigenous heritage. Beyond clothing, we offer on-the-job paid training in a culturally safe environment, providing crucial opportunities for those transitioning out of the criminal justice system. This combination of purposeful design and social impact helps us create positive change through every piece we make.
As you expand into new collections and services, what’s next for Red Rebel Armour, and how do you hope your brand will continue to inspire change in both the fashion industry and Indigenous communities?
As Red Rebel Armour expands, we’re not only introducing new collections but also upgrading our production capabilities. We now print our own Indigenous-made DTF designs and offer in-house embroidery, allowing us to add unique cultural detail to every piece. These advancements let us fully control the quality and authenticity of our designs. Our goal is to continue inspiring change—showing that Indigenous-owned brands can thrive in the fashion industry while uplifting communities and creating opportunities for those reintegrating into society.