Village People: East Coast Hustle Hard
Set in Retail Row, East Coast Hustle Hard represents the hardworking, go-getter attitude that defines the East Coast. It’s a place that motivates you to face each day head-on, ready to tackle challenges and never settle for “no.”
We sat down with Darryl McMann to learn how he and Meagan Budway brought their clothing line to life, the inspiration behind its name, and what he views as his greatest success.
Q: What’s your favourite colour?
A: Yellow!
Q: Where did you get the idea for your business?
A: It came from the incredible sacrifices my fiancée has made for me. Years ago, she stood by me and supported my dream when we opened two food trucks in Ontario. She’s always been the backbone of what we do, especially when we got Big D’s Poutine up and running in the Valley. Before helping me, she had a career in retail clothing, so now things have come full circle. It’s her turn to follow her dream, and I get to support her, just like she’s always supported me.
Q: How did you come up with the name of your business?
A: The name, East Coast Hustle Hard, came from how we’ve been grinding since we moved here in December 2023. It felt like the perfect way to capture that hardworking, go-getter attitude you see all over the East Coast. I think it’s something everyone around here can relate to and wear with pride!
Q: Did you have a different job before you opened your business? What did you do?
A: Yes, we both did! We’ve each had different career paths, but I’ve been in the culinary world for quite a long time, which helped lay the foundation for starting our own businesses.
Q: Is your Container Village location your first brick-and-mortar shop?
A: Yes and no. We already had Big D’s Poutine in the Valley and Big D’s Smash Box in the Village, but for East Coast Hustle Hard, this is our first official brick-and-mortar location.
Q: Why did you want to set up shop at AREA 506?
A: It just felt like the perfect fit. With all the foot traffic from festivals, cruise ships, concert nights, and the incredible local support, it was an easy decision. It’s the perfect spot to reach a wide mix of people!
Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: I wanted to be just like my parents. They’re two of the hardest-working, most amazing people you’ll ever meet, and they taught my brother and I the value of a strong work ethic. It’s something you can’t learn in school, and I owe where I am today to the lessons they passed down to us.
Q: Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting out?
A: Looking back, there are always things you might want to change, but for me, it’s all part of the journey. Mistakes are essential for growth — you have to make them to learn from them. The real reward comes from how you pivot and correct those mistakes.
Q: What do you consider your biggest success?
A: That really depends on how you define success. For me, it’s being a father to two incredible kids and two amazing stepkids. Having them work alongside me at different times has been one of my proudest achievements. That kind of shared experience means more to me than anything else.
Q: What’s next?
A: As an entrepreneur, there’s always something new and exciting on the horizon — you just never know exactly when or where it’ll happen!
If you’re an entrepreneur with an idea you think would be a great fit for the Waterfront Container Village, drop us a line — we’d love to hear more!