When Oluwatomi Oladunni arrived in the United States from Nigeria nearly a decade ago, he never imagined he would one day balance lines of computer code with lines of custom-stitched streetwear. Today, the Purdue University student is doing exactly that — pursuing a degree in computer science and data analytics while building Acktus, a fashion brand born from a desire to turn discipline and drive into design.
Oladunni, a software development and data analytics intern with Quality of Life to the nth Degree, Inc., said his interest in technology began long before Purdue.
“In Nigeria, we didn’t really have a lot of computers we could use,” he said. “Coming to the U.S., I finally got hands-on experience and learned how computers really worked. That curiosity stayed with me.”
What began as a high-school coding class grew into a fascination with algorithms, artificial intelligence and the power of data to shape real-world decisions.
As a Purdue student, Oladunni has been part of The Data Mine program — an experience he calls transformative.
“It gave me hands-on experience with skills I actually wanted to learn,” he said. “Working with companies and analyzing data helped me see how analytics saves time, money and resources.”
When Purdue and IU officially split, he said the transition didn’t derail his academic path. Instead, it reaffirmed his decision to stay in Indianapolis, where Purdue continues to offer strong technical programs and community connections.
“I chose Purdue because it was close to home, affordable and had a lot of diversity and support,” he said.
While code occupies one side of his brain, creativity drives the other. In January 2023, he launched Acktus, originally envisioned as a gym-wear line.
“I wanted to start something I was known for — a movement, not just a business,” Oladunni said. “Even though I wasn’t into fashion, I wanted to push people to take action.”
The brand name comes from the Latin word actus, meaning “to act,” and he later redefined it as an acronym for “Achieve Consistency and Keep Training Until Success.”
Oladunni said the earliest version of Acktus was more trial-and-error than strategy. Using print-on-demand sites, he uploaded simple logo designs to T-shirts and hoodies, testing what styles caught attention on campus.
Over time, he learned that quality and storytelling mattered more than quantity. What began with simple logo tees printed through an on-demand service has evolved into a curated streetwear label known for boxy hoodies, soft fabrics and minimalist design.
“At first I thought I was selling a product,” he said. “But I learned I was selling an idea — how people want to feel. People wear Nike because they want to feel sporty. I want people to wear Acktus because it makes them feel confident and comfortable.”
That realization pushed him to study branding and consumer psychology, learning how design, color and fit influence how people perceive themselves. He began sketching new concepts, sourcing higher-quality materials and working with small-batch manufacturers who could bring his vision to life.
The road to building that vision wasn’t easy. Oladunni started the brand alone, experimenting with designs, marketing posts and late-night brainstorming sessions.
“I tried to copy what worked for other brands,” he admitted. “But I realized I had to sit down and figure out what Acktus really meant to me.”
He spent weeks re-evaluating Acktus’s online presence — its tone, photography style and visual identity — and discovered how much storytelling drives engagement. His breakthrough came after learning more about marketing analytics, applying the same data-driven methods he studied in class to Acktus’s social media performance.
“I’d track when I posted, how people reacted, how long they watched a video,” he said. “It’s the same as analyzing business data — you learn what works and what doesn’t.”
That data-driven approach extended beyond Instagram. He began using spreadsheets to monitor sales trends, track production costs, and calculate profit margins for each product. Eventually, Oladunni brought on three partners to help expand the vision.
“I started the foundation, but they helped build the structure,” he said.
Together, the team began refining the product line, improving quality and aligning the brand with a sleek, street-luxury feel that resonated with students. They divided responsibilities based on their strengths — one focused on visual design, another on outreach and pop-up events, and another on production and logistics. Weekly planning sessions became routine, sometimes stretching late into the night as the team debated new releases or analyzed feedback from previous drops.
Running a startup while studying full-time hasn’t been simple.
“Being a college student is expensive and overwhelming,” Oladunni said. “But starting young means I can make mistakes now. I might lose money or time, but I’m learning valuable skills.”
The financial challenges, he said, forced him to be resourceful — using campus studios for photography, negotiating local printing discounts and learning video editing through online tutorials. He’s taught himself photography, video editing and marketing — all skills he applies both to Acktus and his coursework.
“Everything I learn in data analytics helps me run the brand smarter,” he said.
For Oladunni, Acktus isn’t just apparel, but also an identity. His long-term goals reflect that same duality: a future in data science, coupled with a global creative venture.
“I want to grow in tech because it’s how I can do good for companies. And I want Acktus to make people feel something — to make them believe they can achieve consistency and keep training until success.”
Looking ahead, he envisions Acktus hosting fashion drops and collaborative events with other student creators across campuses. As for advice to other student entrepreneurs, his answer is simple: start now.
“Don’t wait for the perfect time or the perfect idea,” he said. “Start with what you have, learn as you go, and let passion guide you. The mistakes are part of the story.”
Salsabil F. Qaddoura is the campus editor, financial officer and co-social media editor of The Campus Citizen. She is an undergraduate student on a pre-law track with a minor in business. She is passionate about public service and volunteerism to better our communities and the world.
From Al-Andalus to Indianapolis: The IU Indianapolis course bringing medieval Spain to Indy
By Salsabil F. Qaddoura | Dec. 3When considering the cultural forces that shape the modern world, few students immediately think of a society that thrived a thousand years ago on the Iberian Peninsula. Yet the history of Al-Andalus, or Arab Spain, remains one of the most influential periods in global intellectual development.
IU Indianapolis Environment and Society course helps in achieving sustainable solutions
By Ian Janke | Nov. 22On the morning of Oct. 17, 2025, Professor Owen Dwyer’s Environment and Society class gathered outside in the green space between Taylor Hall and the Social Work Building to do some tree planting. This is an eight week course and happened to be their last class.
REVIEW: Sticky Notes opens in the Campus Center – serving sweets and smiles
By Regina Graves | Nov. 20A new sweet shop called Sticky Notes has opened on campus this fall 2025, bringing students, staff and visitors a fun and uplifting place to enjoy desserts, candies and different pastries. Designed as both a dessert stop and mental recharge, the shop has quickly become one of many to go spots for students looking for something sweet and positive on campus.
