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

Derrick, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I came up with BLAKMAGIK after watching a documentary series called “Hidden Colors”. The documentary uplifted my spirit so much because it highlighted the mountain of accomplishments melanin people have achieved despite having the odds against them, in bondage and being systematically oppressed. Our history has literally been stripped and hidden from us so a lot of my people don’t fully understand who we are and where we come from. I wanted to create something meaningful and impactful not just in my community but around the world and that’s when I came up with BLAKMAGIK. I could express black culture through fashion to educate the community on where melanin people come from and who we are as individuals. By coming up with unique designs that resonate with my audience and embrace who we are, we can eliminate the stigma America has placed on us. BLAKMAGIK represents the beauty of melanin skin and the power we as kings and queens possess.

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?

I was on my lunch break at work talking to my coworker when I told him that I was thinking about starting my own clothing brand knowing the warehouse wasn’t for me. I was just doing it to pay my bills. My coworker was responded with encouragement saying “What are you waiting for? Your purpose isn’t to be at a warehouse”. Meanwhile, one of my other coworkers was listening in on our conversation and says “You’re not going anywhere. You’re going to be here forever with the rest of us”. Needless to say that statement didn’t sit well with me. Who was he to say what future I might have when he didn’t know me at all. I sat with this and the feeling it gave me was too strong to deny. He, like other white men I’d encountered, was determined to knock me down in an effort to “put me in my place”. Little did he know, my self determination and belief in the greater good was stronger than any words he could present. I went home that same day and started researching how I could start a clothing brand and 3 months later BLAKMAGIK was born.

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

In 2019 i got my second dui. It was unfortunate because BLAKMAGIK was gaining momentum and attraction at the time. We were making consistent sales weekly and everything seemed like a dream come true untilI lost my job due to not having reliable transportation. Eventually I lost my apartment and became homeless 2months later. I was depressed, angry, blamed the world for me losing what I worked so hard to build. I decided to soak up my sorrows and began working for a nonprofit organization. While working there I met who is now my bestfriend Rachel. Rachel seen me trying to improve mycurrent situation and moved me into her apartment. I was there for 3 months and began working to save every penny to get my life back. While living with Rachel she taught me the backend of how to run a clothing brand from content creating to making sure i have all my documentation in line. She taught me how to be organized. I realized that I didn’t know nearly enough about running a clothing brand. i dialed in and yes she had to repeat herself and stay on me some but two years later BLAKMAGIK is back and better then ever

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Wrldinvsn helped evolve me as a business owner. They are a successful clothing brand who teach you there strategies on youtube and through online courses. I’ve implemented many of there styrategies and it worked. One thing I like about them is the fact there transparent. they remind you faithfully the hard work it take to run a successful business and the do’s and don’ts to succeed. I tell others who are inspired to follow other brands and study what they do from email campaigns to the designs and formats of there websites. Use it to help create your vision and successful business

Contact Info:

• Website: Shopblakmagik.com
• Instagram: blakmagikapparel
• Facebook: blakmagik

Image Credits
Brand owner and CEO Derrick Mayo