Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike John
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Mike John and I am from Brooklyn Ny, now residing in Houston Texas. I’ve spent some of my adolescent age in East Stroudsburg,PA where I attended high school and college before moving to Long Island,Ny. While living in Pa I earned recognition as a star basketball player earning awards in high school and eventually moving on to play in college (Kutztown University) and professionally in Bolivia (South America) for a season.
After suffering an injury and going through adversity in my college career I started focusing on different options for life, also having a child at 22 forced me to mature mentally at an early age. I got the opportunity to join the construction union as a pipefitter where I graduated a 5 year trade school program and was a able to work on some historic buildings such as World Trade Center, Laguardia Airport, Hudson yards, George Bush Int Airport etc.
While showing off my talents and hard work on the court and in the construction industry; off the court I had a love for fashion and presenting myself in a well dressed/stylish manner. Which lead me to eventually starting my own clothing brand in 2022 called Liberated World.
Inspired by my own individual journey to seek knowledge ,healing, and liberation though some of the things I’ve been through . I created a brand to help others do the same. To Liberate means to free one self from a situation in which their liberty is restricted . We can all attest to having some type of negative trauma we’ve had to overcome. Whether that be physically or psychologically. Liberated World invites you to explore the nature of your true inner self. Free yourself from anything that is holding you back from reaching your highest potential, and educate yourself to your best ability. Together we can create a peaceful environment where kings and queens are operating with knowledge of self and thriving as a healthy community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been motivating and inspiring but challenges will always occur. Some of my biggest struggles are balancing personal/work life and business life. Sometimes things you go through in life and at work that can have a short term affect on you mentally and that can affect your creative spirit. Creativity comes in waves and you need to be in a certain mindset to allow for positive creativity. So balancing a 9-5 and still trying to be a entrepreneur is a challenge but can be rewarding with discipline and dedication.
Another challenge on the production side is the language barrier and time difference of the manufactures that I use for my clothing. I outsource all my material from out of the country so sometimes communication can be a little challenging as well as the shipping time. Not being able to feel the material and see the actual quality of work until the sample is made can be costly too if you need adjustments.
Sizing is another issue because everyone likes different fitting clothing and some of the sizes run a certain way so that can be a challenge but a learning process at the same time.
Currently I am building the brand alone so at times not having a creative team or accountability partner can be a bit challenging as well but overall the journey and feedback from my customers are great.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Recently moving to Houston I am currently in the business of getting my brand in the eyes of more people and still creating/adding new ideas while networking. I have created a few garments such as hoodies, socks, tshirts, hats and will be continuously adding more valuables to the website. I plan to incorparate physical activity into the brand such as hiking, yoga, bike riding events and other liberating avenues for the community to enjoy and come together in a positive way.
I am most proud of the ability to connect with other like minded individuals that are looking to improve themselves mentally, physically while looking their best fashionably. I love the community from the youth to the elders, I believe we are amazing individuals we just need change to become our highest selves. My slogan is ” Change Starts With Self Improvement”.
What sets me apart from others? I believe it’s my awareness and will to see the change needed in the community starting from each individual. I believe my open mind and hunger for knowledge also plays a big part in it. I am a young father of 3 little girls so I want to create a legacy for my children to follow and I want it to be built on changing the community and becoming your high self through knowledge of self.
What sets my clothing apart is that it is created with meaning and high quality but yet cost efficient. Some of the garments used are from the same factories that produce nike and other brands, so the quality is there. You can wear something that represents not only positive change In the community but most importantly positive change within yourself.
What matters most to you?
What matters to me the most are my children. I have 3 little girls that I am trying to install certain morals in such as knowledge of self and being accountable. Although co parenting can be a bit of a challenge at times ; being a dad is one of my biggest accomplishments and it keeps me going.
Something else that matters to me is mental health and overcoming your past traumas or acknowledging them and working to overcome them. These things actually shape how people think, maneuver through life so for me it is important to keep the mind sharp and engage in things that promote that such as reading, mediation, self reflection etc
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Liberated-World.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liberated.world
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006382877061
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/ZYDFADAjOTY
