We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful David Jefferson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with David below.

David, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

The main thing my mother did right was she taught me the importance of love and how to show it. Building a career based off love is a totally different experience than building one without it. Love is a huge component of owning a successful business and a key ingredient that business owners seem to miss all the time. Love is closely associated with the idea of “Giving” and I don’t know any self-made success stories that didn’t involve some level of giving or some contribution to society. So, in beginning my brand, the first thing I thought about was what type of contribution I could make that could somehow impact people’s lives for the better. In order to make that a reality, I knew I had to create the business out of pure love and that’s why I chose to create Stackin Kickz, which is a sneaker-related fashion brand. I have ALWAYS loved shoes and clothes and If I somehow found a way to spread that love out to other people who shared the same type of love, then I’d be creating an emotional and spiritual connection that could result in people being honored to represent and express themselves through the pieces that I created.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have been a fanatic of shoes and clothes since I was in elementary school. It was my connection to the world and how I felt important. So again, when it was time to embark on my entrepreneurial journey, I wanted to do something that I genuinely loved so I decided to enter the fashion industry. I felt that was where I’d be most useful. I truly just jumped in the industry on pure faith and spirituality. I had no idea what I was doing. I had never seen anyone build a fashion brand nor did I really see any in the City of Portland at the time. I didn’t have a plan or a real structure. I just literally spent my last $1000 to buy some wholesale shirts and then I threw them in the trunk of my car and started driving and letting people know that this is what i do now. We provide Stackin Kickz branded tees, hats, hoodies, tracksuits, jackets, socks etc. We carry kids and adult sizes as well. Our brand solves the problem of the constant need for expression. When you wear our brand, you make it easy to see some of the things you care about, and are passionate about without having to say a word. You’ll command attention and energy everywhere you go, which also builds confidence. I’m very proud of the impact that the brand has had on my community. It’s showing what’s possible. We are all from the same place so people are beginning to understand that If I can find my purpose, then so can they. Its giving confidence when you wear one of my outfits and all the attention and compliments you get. I wanted people to feel the same way I feel when I put a new outfit together. It’s truly euphoric.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the main lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that we think we can choose any business we want. I now understand that you don’t choose a great business, a great business chooses you. Far too often people choose the wrong business for the wrong reasons. You have to be extremely intentional with what you create and your “WHY” has to be very strong. This means it’s not a good idea to choose just any business. A good business chooses you because it aligns with the values that you hold close to your heart. A good business chooses you because, its reflective of the individual gifts you were given from birth. A good business chooses you because its passionately powered by the love that you have for doing this work. It’s an everyday normal occurrence for you to do this work. A good business chooses you because It’s WHO YOU ARE and have ALWAYS BEEN. When you put those standards on your business plan, it should tighten the gap on what business actually makes sense for you to do and that is how you find your purpose. Self-work will lead you understanding of self, and then execution of purpose.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Yes my brand was created in 2010. Social media was just becoming popular and was still organic as well. I remember going to a trade show in 2011 in Dallas TX to showcase my brand. While at the airport I purchased a Book that was called “Crush it” by Gary Vaynercheck. The book was discussing creative ways to use social media to help you build your brand. It was perfect at the time because I was just getting started with mines. I learned how to be a human being on social media and not just a business. I learned how to engage and bring value. Not Just try to make a sale all the time. People like to feel connected like they have something in common with the business owner. They want to know A little bit about your story so that can feel that relatability. That relatability comes with your brand attached and as people want to connect with you more and more, one of the best ways to do that is support your brand or business. That’s one way to grow your brand organically on social media.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stackinkickz.com
• Instagram: @stackinkickz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stackinkickz
• Linkedin: https://www.facebook.com/stackinkickz
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stackinkickz7449