Turning Pain Into Purpose

The eighty eight brand story
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Our Story

Every brand has a story—this is ours.

Eighty Eight Outfitters was created to honor the incredible legacy of Wesley Ryan Hayes — a devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend whose unwavering faith, southern roots, and love for the outdoors touched countless lives. On October 1, 2024, Wesley’s earthly journey was tragically cut short by a drunk driver, leaving behind a young wife and infant daughter. 

In the midst of immense heartbreak, Olivia Hayes, Wesley’s wife, felt a divine calling to share his story and continue his mission. Guided by God's purpose, she founded Eighty Eight Outfitters as a way to celebrate Wesley’s life and the values he held dear: faith, artistry, and the beauty of the great outdoors. This brand is more than a tribute—it is a ministry inspired by Wesley’s passion for living boldly and authentically, while sharing the goodness of the Lord, even through tragedy.

Wesley always dreamed of using his God-given talents to make an impact on the world, and though he had begun doing so in both his personal and professional life, his time to see his dreams through, was cut short. He had incredible talent, and many gifts left to share. Taking the brainstorming sessions and conversations about the ideas he had; Olivia has made it her mission to be the vessel to make his dreams a reality.

At Eighty Eight Outfitters, our hope is that every individual who wears our apparel is led to live life to the fullest, always seeking the next adventure, while inspiring you to draw closer to the Lord. Our collections are released in limited edition drops, each one inspired by faith, legacy, and the outdoors. We announce upcoming launches, restocks, and behind-the-scenes stories primarily through our social media and VIP email list—so if you want early access, that’s where to be. While many of our products are exclusive and only available for a short time, we also keep a collection of staple items in stock year-round for those who want to wear the brand every day.

Through this mission, we believe Wesley continues to lead others toward Heaven, and we are humbled to have you on this journey with us. Together, we celebrate his love for the outdoors and the lasting impact of a life lived with purpose.

Why the name, Eighty Eight Outfitters?

Soon after losing Wesley, his wife, Olivia, felt called to continue his legacy, so that his talents would not be wasted and so that their daughter would have tangible reminders of how special and talented her dad was on this side of Heaven.

Racking her brain, trying to think of the perfect name to embody a brand that represented him best, it hit her.

Eighty Eight.

To those who knew Wesley, may remember that 88 was his football number in high school. And for those of who were closest to him, he never let us forget it. Although Wesley and Olivia never had much conversation about the deeper meaning this number held, she just knew all those reminders about how much he loved that number, was not by chance. God knew she’d need His divine direction for this very thing, and that she’d need to be led back to this number through all of those reminders.

Wesley often made connections to numbers and their meanings in the bible, with things that were going on his life. So when she was reminded that 88 was a significant number in his life, she knew she needed to understand what it meant on a deeper level, just as Wesley would have. Here’s what she found:

  • Numbers that are repeated are considered “angel numbers” and are a sign of divine guidance. OK, Chills.

  • The number 8 resembles the infinity symbol (∞) when laid on its side, representing endlessness, continuity, and an eternal cycle and in double form (88) amplifies this symbolism, signifying boundless potential, infinite love, or an unbroken legacy. Hello, he’s reminding us that God’s love is infinite and that this is the way for his legacy to be unbroken. MORE CHILLS.

  • 88 also signifies new beginnings, guiding us toward hope and prosperity even in his physical absence, inspiring us to live in a way that leads us to Heaven

  • Biblically, 8 marked renewal, as seen with the 8 people on Noah’s Ark, signaling the start of a new era and the hope that follows divine intervention

How we got our brand logo…

About a year before Wesley’s accident, he asked Olivia to help revive his old college laptop. At the time, it seemed like a simple request—but years later, it revealed something extraordinary. As Olivia was building the foundation for Eighty Eight Outfitters, she discovered a folder never seen by her before. Included in this folder was a PowerPoint titled "Brand Ideas."

Inside was a logo Wesley had designed years prior: his initials, framed by angel wings—something he had never shared. Why and how would he create a logo that could not be more fitting and perfect?! God led him to do this, just like God led Olivia to find it at the exact time that she was meant to find it. It was as if he had unknowingly created the logo for the brand that would one day carry his name and legacy. 

The Sacred Salutation Logo

If you were blessed to have received a card from Wes—whether it was for a birthday, holiday, or just a thank-you—you instantly knew it was from him. Not because of his name, but because of the unique duck head signature he created, with his initials cleverly tucked into the design in the bottom right corner. Soon after Wesley’s passing, Olivia’s sisters-in-law gifted her and Ann Marie with this special logo on several items, so that they could carry him with them forever. While tempting to keep this sacred memento just for them, Olivia knew this is where sharing his legacy would begin. This special logo truly reflects just how very special he was and still is.

Thus, “Sacred Salutation” was born.

Our Mission


Eighty Eight Outfitters isn’t just about outfitting people for outdoor lifestyle. It’s about inviting you into a movement—a story that continues with every hat worn, every shirt shared, every life touched.

It’s about glorifying God’s goodness, celebrating the creations He made, and encouraging others to live out their purpose with bold faith and intentionality.

So when you wear Eighty Eight, know this:

You’re part of something real. Something redemptive. Something that points to heaven.

We invite you to share our brand with your friends, loved ones, and anyone who you think may be touched by our mission!

Thanks for walking with us and continue to follow along for future designs and the meaningful stories behind them.

"We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers"

1 Thessalonians 2