Our Story

Like all good stories, ours started with a bowl of Phở.

I was solo travelling in Da Nang, Vietnam—sitting at my favourite local spot, listening to Simon Squibb’s audiobook What’s Your Dream? I’d actually read the book before after picking it up at the airport before a trip to Bergen, Norway. It inspired me then, but I never turned that inspiration into action.

This time was different.

Being immersed in the culture, the people, and the natural beauty of Vietnam, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. To be alive, on this earth, in such a beautiful place surrounded by so many kind and genuine people.

It was that sense of gratitude—and the encouragement of Simon Squibb—that inspired me to create something rooted in my love for nature and the outdoors. Something I knew a lot of people could resonate with.

Finding the Name

I started exploring concepts with Vietnamese words and their meanings. Eventually, I found a combination that said everything and more:

• ƠN — Thank you / Gratitude

• ĐẤT— The land / Earth / Soil

• ƠN ĐẤT — Gratitude to Earth.

That same night, the vision came to life. I designed our signature logo incorporating the things I love most about nature. It became the identity of the brand and the heartbeat behind every design.

From Concept to Reality

Before pursuing the idea any further, I wanted to make sure the concept was well received by Vietnamese people themselves.

I asked my new friends Ben and his sister Nikki for their honest opinion. Their reaction said it all—they absolutely loved it. ƠN ĐẤT was officially a go! (You can see me with Ben and Nikki in the photo below). 

I had some samples made for new friends from my travels, my Dad, and myself. What followed was truly special. On several occasions, strangers stopped me in the street or on the beach to compliment the shirts!

Having the very culture the brand is rooted in validate it in real life... that was when I knew that ƠN ĐẤT could be something special.

Back in the UK (The HQ)

Back in the UK, my girlfriend Robyn—ƠN ĐẤT co-founder—and I sat down with Arya (our tortoise and official team mascot) for a meeting in our spare bedroom, aka ƠN ĐẤT Headquarters.

We decided to take the leap. We placed our first bulk order of Heavyweight Tees, and we were officially doing it!

Robyn got straight to work as our social media manager, building our online presence and growing the ƠN ĐẤT Tribe from the ground up.

This is just the beginning of something we truly believe in. Right now it’s two people and a tortoise in a spare room — but big things start small, and we’re grateful for every single person joining us on this journey.

ƠN ĐẤT is a daily reminder to slow down, look around, and feel genuinely grateful for the earth we live on—and all the people we share it with.

Get ƠN ĐẤT. Join the Tribe.