We recently had the chance to connect with Mr. Johnny W. Johnson II and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Johnny W., we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What battle are you avoiding?
“Honestly, the battle I’m avoiding is giving up. When the business hits those ups and downs — when roadblocks stack up and the mental weight kicks in — that’s when it gets real. Every part of you wants to slow down or walk away, but deep down you know you’ve got to keep pushing, keep building, no matter how heavy it gets.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
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“My name’s Johnny W. Johnson II, founder of Savage Aesthetics® — a streetwear and lifestyle brand built out of grit, creativity, and real-life hustle. What makes us different is we don’t just sell clothes; we build culture. We’ve recently created an MMA and combative sports sector of the brand, pushing Savage Aesthetics into the fight world with custom gear that speaks to the same energy we came up on — raw, fearless, built for people chasing greatness. We even had a situation recently with Fight Bananas, one of the bigger MMA platforms, who caught wind of what we’re doing and showed interest in posting about our new limited-edition MMA Units. That kind of recognition just confirms we’re shaking things up in spaces we weren’t even in a year ago. Everything we’re doing right now is about bridging the streets, the gym, and the cage — one movement, one mentality.”
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
Simply put, my Dad! My father Johnny W. Johnson Sr who passed when I was 14. He was a marine, so you know there’s that structure and grit. He was very much about his business before falling ill and passing. I watched him literally work himself to death.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Several times! Even still at this very moment! Entrepreneurship is a struggle when you have no manual or playbook to guide you. Trial & error, free throws and fouls it’s all in the game, but it can truly scramble the brain, especially when you’re solo in the field experiencing more losses & setbacks than wins. When them dice do hit & them tiny wins land in your favor it spark motivation and the urge to keep going forward every time. You just have to keep hammering and figure it out.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
I believe the public version of me is a more polished & sharper me! I’m the real me in private and public. I spend a more than fair amount of time in isolation and solitary confinement per se. Reading & working on me… as in self evaluation, self reflecting or a straight up self checking. Making sure I don’t detour and abandon the principles, standards, morals or guidance that was instilled and left upon me by my Father & grandmother Gladis. My principles are non negotiable! There’s a lot of folks out here that got away from that and have the people who raised them looking bad. I refuse to be that. So, iron sharpens iron and when in public the few around me must be of iron or I’m solo & God keeps me up front and on point.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
He was a real cool dude. Laid back, I’m from South Texas, Galveston to be exact so the lingo would be real Player with it! 😁😎 But, a standup dude, no nonsense and very direct when he means something or has to address something. Sagittarius for Sure! lol 😆 A real man’s man and you can see it how he carried or presented himself, you knew he was under old school teaching’s & discipline.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @SavageAesthetics1
