Meet Malek Robinson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Malek Robinson.

Hi Malek, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri! I’m an entrepreneur/creator in fashion! I started as a customer of a local brand Love365Apparel and literally fell in love with not only the creativity of the design but the message behind it! It all started in 2018 just dropping out of college to follow a dream that one day eventually turned to a business partnership with the owner of the brand Montrae Strickland. The partnership began off a purchase which had led to me eventually selling his bulk that he had from his pop up Shop!

The following month brought him 900$ cash in an envelope and we were business partners from then on which led to a story mode of Love365Apparel and a collaboration with an up and coming clothing brand “Heartfelt” by a local artist Bobby Jackson. The brand was more than just love it was about spreading a message that people can live with spiritually, mentally, & physical and continue 365 days out of the year! Eventually, after putting a series of work with that brand out it led to our first collaboration! The collaboration with Bobby Jackson’s “Heartfelt” would sell out on its first limited edition release that would soon sell out on a Valentine’s Day edition! I ventured into modeling for a little making appearances in VVS STAR by Darrian Tota & Angel Brown, Elevated Mafia by Hunter Hourigan, and Heartfelt by Bobby Jackson! The journey of becoming an entrepreneur but also an upcoming creator was a task, especially not being familiar with how the business was but I evolved and led myself to different levels that would soon transpire my own brand that will soon make a debut later this year in 2022! Currently, what’s in the works is a visual of my story “Live Today Pray For Tomorrow”! This is about me taking the step of coming out about my PTSD and depression of trauma suffered in my early teenage life and early 20’s! This will be debuting this March of 2022 and will eventually turnover to a podcast that will raise awareness about mental health awareness but also just become a therapy session of some sort for those whom have suffered from these things that a lot of people do not talk about! The end goal is to be successful and help others out while doing it no matter the timing and do what you feel and love as a dream!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely was not a smooth road… I can honestly say it was stressful! The stress was normal just cause you weren’t familiar with the business, the work ethic, and financial sides! Literally, everyday was a milestone of seeing the big picture but understanding the lil things that make the big picture in the business and vision you trying to create! Some struggles would be design work making sure you have a perfect peace knowing that anything put out would never be perfect it just had to be suitable to sell and do what your brand was standing for. Another struggle was always product cause anyone can put something on shirt, hoodie, pants, etc….. but if the quality of the fabric is bad, you can’t sell if not good in washing situations or cleaner situations! Being unique w your ideas and designs vs copying of styles that are known by top brands that are known supreme, LV, Gucci, etc.….. just sticking to what you know and what would stand out for you! Budgeting and reciprocating revenue can be a rollercoaster cause sometimes you’re not always gonna receive more than what you put out due to not enough production sold cause of less sales or retrieving just enough money to cover certain things to drop merchandise frequently!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I work full time as a warehouse employee but on the side, I’m currently graphic designing and creating fashion for myself for my upcoming brand which will be debuting soon! I’m also currently putting out my very own visual “Live For Today Pray For Tomorrow” out this March about my traumas of ptsd and depression of my very own traumas! I specialize in fashion design very well and enjoy creating different story modes through design to express the brand(s)meaning. Every person has a story, but why not allow your brand to tell your story is my mission! I’m most proud of the diversity of talents I’ve evolved in from creativity, fashion sense, business! Honestly what sets me apart from others is I’m never just comfortable with just being a labeled entrepreneur or designer, I’m still a student! I’m growing daily but I’m always learning something different from what I’ve already done in the business I’m into the business I continue to be in and others I take on! It’s so many gems you’ll learn in the industry that you can apply to your own business and I want to be my greatest without egotistical faults because of “I knew it all” shenanigans!

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
My most important lesson was never count yourself out of your dream no matter the circumstances you’re in! We all deal with life but you have to mold and motivate yourself to do better if you want to become better!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: c13malek

Image Credits
Devin Wilson @you_1stmedia Trevor Allen @trevordallen Makelle Miller @makelles_photos