Meet the artist, Quentin Southall

My Story

Welcome! I’m Quentin Southall. I grew up in Alexandria, Virginia, and attended high school at Georgetown Prep, where I discovered a balance between athletics and art. During my senior year, I founded Q's Custom Sneakers—a luxury sneaker painting business that began as a high school art project and quickly grew into an entrepreneurial endeavor. What started as a hobby soon gained traction on social media and developed into a brand with national reach.

In 2020, I was recruited to attend and play basketball at the University of Richmond, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with dual concentrations in Finance and Entrepreneurship. My four years were filled with accomplishments on and off the court. As a Richmond Spider, I competed in two Atlantic 10 championships, the 2022 March Madness tournament, and the 2021 and 2023 NIT tournaments. I was also deeply involved in campus leadership and community impact. As President of the Student-Athletes of Color Alliance, I worked to build and grow a supportive, inclusive community for student-athletes from diverse backgrounds.

Simultaneously, Q's Custom Sneakers flourished. In 2024, I was proud to receive the Outstanding Student in Entrepreneurship Award from the Robins School of Business and the Outstanding Leadership Award from Richmond Athletics. My work and collegiate legacy were recognized across various platforms—including a front-page (A1) feature in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, starring in the 2024 Richmond scholar-athlete commercial, a spotlight in the University of Richmond Spring Magazine, showcases at Gallery5 art gallery, and a presentation at the University of Richmond Quatrefoil Donor Society event.

Balancing academics, basketball, and my entrepreneurial pursuits was not without its challenges, but my determination, ambition, and passion propelled me forward. My portfolio includes hundreds of unique designs worn by collegiate and professional athletes, government officials, business leaders, musicians, coaches, newlyweds, and more. My concentration in finance has been essential in managing my business, while my studies in entrepreneurship have fueled its continued growth.

In 2025, I began my professional career at The Glenmede Trust Company, where I serve as an Associate in Wealth Advisory within the Private Wealth vertical. Based in Washington, D.C., I support three senior advisors in managing approximately $1.3 billion in assets. My work spans trust administration and portfolio analysis for high-net-worth individuals, estates, and multi-generational families. I’m currently deepening my understanding of complex trust structures, estate planning, and tax-efficient wealth strategies.

Ultimately, with a spirit of innovation and a strong entrepreneurial foundation, Q’s Custom Sneakers is ready to adapt, create, and inspire—no matter what the future holds.