"Brent Carter… with honor."

When I heard those words over the loudspeaker at my Cornell graduation ceremony, it was actually the first time I knew I was graduating "Cum Laude" or "with honor." It was sort of a nerve-wracking moment actually. You see, whoever had organized the graduation ceremony had failed to notify those students that were graduating with honor. This wouldn't have been a problem, except they were handing out gold "with honor" sashes to be worn during the ceremony, and I wasn't sure if I was supposed to wear one or not.

The sashes were just sitting there in a pile as we walked in. Several others were also unsure of their status. One person grabbed one, shrugged, and put it on. While I thought I'd probably made the cut, I certainly didn't want to wear one if I hadn't earned it. I scrambled around trying to find an administrator who would know for sure, but to no avail. In the end, I decided to take one and hold it in my hand underneath my robe, planning to put it on only when and if I knew for sure. So, in addition to being a proud moment, it was a moment of great relief as I heard those words, "with honor," after my name. I quickly threw the sash over my shoulder and stood to be recognized.

That moment felt particularly sweet because my family was there to hear it. They had been there as I struggled early on in my academic career and had spent a lifetime helping me build the character and academic determination that had become so important to me. I hope it was a special moment for them as well. I still keep that sash to this day, both as a reminder of my journey and inspiration for the future.

When I started Fuzl, I struggled to come up with a slogan that conveyed my vision. My early ideas never quite felt right, but when the memory of my graduation ceremony popped into my head, the brand revealed itself: In Pursuit of Honor. It doesn't matter whether one strives for the honor roll in high school, to graduate with honor from a university, or simply dedicates themselves to the honorable task of pursuing the pinnacle of their own potential. We believe it is each individual's intent, determination, and hard work, their journey, that matters… and we want to be part of the pursuit!