The teenage brother of Sharlotte-Sky Naglis, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2021 aged just six, has set up his own clothing business - and hopes it will one day be so successful that his mum can retire.
Paul O'Reilly, of Norton Green, has set up Dopezz with his friends Sam Chadwick and Taylor Bagnall, selling t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and other items emblazoned with their logo. The team design and print the items at home, with prices starting at £16 for t-shirts up to £30 for hoodies.
The 15-year-old, who is in year 10 at Endon High School, hopes to one day see their Dopezz range stocked in stores but for now it is available online from their website www.dopezz.com. The team decided to launch their own range after becoming dissatisfied with their own clothes.
READ: 'I just want the pain to go away ... she was only six, she was only a baby'
Paul said: "With Dopezz we provide people with the chance to find a new way for their wardrobe by bringing them comfortable and trendy clothing. We got started when we felt the clothes we wore were old and outdated and the market needed something new for it.
"We decided to launch Dopezz to provide people with clothing that isn't just comfortable but also is cost efficient, as in the time of the rise in the cost of living we believe it will benefit others.
"We have already had brilliant feedback from customers as they say it's well fitted and comfortable to wear, and looks, as they say, 'fire' when posting their pictures on Instagram."
The team did lots of market research and sold to family and friends before launching the business to the public in February. Paul said he would like to encourage other teenagers to 'take a risk' and launch a business.
He said: "We want to expand to hopefully become peoples day-to-day wear and our biggest goal is to expand into a retailer and have our own clothes inside of people's shops.
"My advice to people wanting to try doing something similar would be to go and get your designs made, get your research in and get family and friends to buy your items first as peer-to-peer talking is a very good way to get your business off the ground.
"I believe without the right mindset to take a risk and to be determined to do something or make a business it will be hard, but with courage and determination it's open to anyone to try. It's all about that risk, but to all teenagers in the world I'm saying they should go out and try it as you'll never succeed if you won't try."
Behind Paul's ambitions for the brand lies the tragic death of his youngest sister, Sharlotte-Sky Naglis, who was just six years old when she was killed by driver John Owen, then 45, as she walked along the pavement with her dad near their home in Norton Green in June 2021. It would have been Sharlotte's eighth birthday on Saturday (March 4).
Paul, who also has another sister, Eva, said: "This week is a very hard time for me and my family as its my sister's birthday on March 4. My dream would be try to and get Dopezz as successful as possible to help my mum retire.
"She has done everything for me and I can't imagine how hard it is for her to keep going every day, so having her retire would be great for me, her and my family."
Paul's mum Claire Reynolds, who has been fighting for justice for Sharlotte since driver John Owen was sentenced to just six years and four months for killing the six-year-old, said: "I'm so proud of my son. Paul has always pushed to succeed and never given up.
"He has always been so grown up and wise for his age. We are all so proud of him and I know Sharlotte would be as well.
"It's been a really tough time for us all and I couldn't be prouder of how my children are turning out. They are my rocks and keep me going."
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