Joseph Zajicek has always viewed the world like most: If you put in the effort and hard work you can reach your goals. And while he also believes in the element of chance, forging a path to build his own brand is an example of him tilting his own luck.
At the age of 18, he joined the Army and served in Afghanistan for a year before being stationed to Hawaii. After his career in the military, Zajicek went on to join the Arizona police force in 2016, where he would later transfer to the Harlingen Police Department in February 2020.
He currently serves as a member of the Harlingen SWAT team as well as a K-9 handler, but there’s even more to Joseph than public service. Now, the 30-year-old Rio Grande Valley transplant is trying his hand as an entrepreneur and sells apparel out of his Weslaco home.
Having a friend in Arizona who works with embroidery and who often made custom products for Joseph sparked an idea to make shirts and hats that represent Texas and Tex-Mex culture. He calls it Tilted Luck Clothing, which is represented by a horseshoe, and his clothing displays South Texas sunsets, ranch life and the like.
But there’s so much more to his brand. He’s also conscious of making his apparel at affordable costs, especially during times of financial stress and economic hardship across the country.
“Maybe I could help other people in the working class not spend so much money but still have quality products,” Joseph said, expressing a sincere desire to be considerate regarding his pricing.
So what is Tilted Luck? For Joseph, luck is not just handed out to people but rather something that one can work for. In short, he believes he creates his own luck.
“I was able to join the SWAT team, get SWAT certified pretty early in my career here, and I am currently a K-9 handler. Some people say it’s luck, some people say it’s hard work and that is kind of where it ties into,” Joseph said. “I wanted something so I knew I needed to work hard for it.”
Tilted Luck refers to those who work to accomplish what they set their mind to and put in the effort to change their life.
“It’s your normal, everyday people who are just very passionate about what they’re doing,” he added.
And why western wear? For Joseph, it’s not just representative of South Texas culture, but it’s a lifestyle that’s familiar to him whether in Arizona or the Valley, and remains a link to both his homes.
“I grew up in rural Arizona where cattle and ranching are pretty much the main income. Down there it’s a lot of farming and cattle and just the western feel. I grew up helping in my buddies’ ranches,” Joseph explained, adding that it was his hometown and childhood that inspired the design for his clothes.
With the use of his products Joseph has participated in fundraisers to help raise money for various organizations. During those fundraisers, his company has received feedback from community members who have praised his shirts and hats.
“They have said nothing but great things,” Joseph said. “They love the products, super comfortable shirts, the hats, the color schemes I pick out.”
Although a fledgling company, he hopes Tilted Luck will go a long way and continue to develop as time goes on. In fact, he already knows where he wants to be a decade from now.
“I have a five-year and a 10-year goal. Five-year goal is to be in some larger retail stores like Cavender’s, Boot Barn. The 10-year goal would just be to have the products be known by the logo.”
Until then, Joseph is continuing to embrace his philosophy both in practice and brand, building a future and making his own luck.
You can see his products at tiltedluck.com or on his Instagram at tiltedluckclothing.
