We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alexis Munoz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alexis, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career

I would change the way students are taught in schools. Instead of focusing solely on academics I would balance cultivating students’ talents. Too often education focuses on giving students information instead helping students figure out what they are good at and turning that into a profit. Education is a great foundation but if students do not feel like they have something of their own to bring to the table, it is difficult for them to be invested in their own education.

Yo Soy Custom did not start until 5 years after I graduated college, but I have been interested in art and fashion for a number of years. I never felt like school pushed my talents or need for this form of expression to become a business. Schools need to meet students where they are so everyone can meet their ideas of success whether through working for someone or having others work for them.

This is why I work with my students the way I do, to show them their talents can also make them successful in the ways they want. However there is no shortcut for hard work. I push my students with high expectations and love for each of them. I have used my business as a launching point for partnerships within my school where I started a sneaker design club for the students, created my school’s basketball teams uniforms and designed sneakers for staff. Students are able to see the community support it takes to grow a company. Truly immersing my love for the arts, my students and my business, I am trying to lead by example to inspire their passions.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Alexis Munoz, I am the proud owner of Yo Soy Custom and an educator. I am a Boston native of Puerto Rican descent, with a BA in Sociology and a minor in Education from Brandeis University. I have been working for Boston Public Schools since 2015 and am currently an Applied Behavior Analyst serving grades K-8.
My passion for creativity sparked the idea for my sneaker design business during the 2020 pandemic. I have always loved creating new things to fit people’s unique personalities and passions, and am thrilled to be designing cleats and sneakers for professional athletes, coaches, politicians, educators, and local business leaders.

Not only do I customize sneakers for clients and community heroes, I have also been teaching my students this form of art at the Young Queens and Kings Scholar program where I am the Co-Directer. The Scholar Program is an after-school program designed to guide students in understanding their identities and self worth, and to inspire and prepare students to become leaders.

At Yo Soy Custom, I provide a unique service for extraordinary people who want to commemorate their achievements and interests in a fun and fashionable way.

I pride myself in customer engagement with a quick turn around time and personal deliveries. Yo Soy Custom provides an experience where clients are in control of their custom products. Through constant communication and digital drafts clients can provide feedback on the design process. Our team is eager to collaborate with our clients to design their one-of-a-kind kicks, so they can step out with pride in their gorgeous new shoes.

Visit ( www.yosoycustom.com ) to learn more about the company, view latest projects, and place custom orders.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Word of Mouth & Social Media

During the pandemic in 2020 we were all working from home. Needing something to spark our imaginations of a better day. As I sat staring at my all white Jordans, I thought to myself, what changes could be made? I wanted something simple since this was my first time painting shoes. The shoe changed from white to purple and lime green. I posted my pictures and told my friends and family about my ideas. Then my family members wanted shoes and they showed it off to their friends and coworkers and so on. The customers I work with take pride in the work we do together when they step out in their custom kicks, post pictures and share with their loved ones who designed their shoes, Yo Soy Custom.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Taking on the challenge to design a pair of cleats for Fernando Tatis Jr and deliver them to him. I designed personalized cleats with his image and team name. I had the opportunity to try to meet with him in the Dominican Republic (DR) when the MLB season was over. I was really excited to share this design with him. However, during my stay in DR I faced some adversity that postponed the opportunity to meet. Even though I did not get to meet him in DR and this discouraged me, I did not give up.

I got back to the states and tried again. From Boston, I drove down to Philadelphia for a Padres vs Phillies game, to take a risk and see if I could get him his personal kicks. Unfortunately, I was not able to meet him but again, that did not deter me from continuing to work hard to be known for the great work I do. I am very proud of my efforts and hope to have more positive outcomes like I did when meeting Vladimir Guerrero Jr and presenting him with his custom cleats.

To learn more about my experience with Vladimir Guerrero Jr click here (https://www.yosoycustom.com/blank-6)

Contact Info:

• Website: www.yosoycustom.com
• Instagram: yo_soy_custom