We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jamar Miller. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jamar below.
Jamar, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Finding those key vendors can often be make or break for a brand. Can you talk to us about how you found your key vendors?
It’s pretty risky finding new vendors out of country. I’ve always been a “AliExpress” or “Alibaba” kind of person when it comes to looking for new threads, even ideas that will spark the creator in me. I’ve spent hours on those 2 sights alone just scrolling (Laughs) However, once I find something I like I take the time out to check there reviews & some past products they’ve sold. I check to see if they have social media. Usually that’s where you can see the production site or warehouse showing you the materials & equipment stations the manufacturer uses . I’ll contact them & possibly inquire about some samples, send over some MU’s & Vector images, negotiate some prices & possibly consider doing business with them to test the waters. Another big lesson is how you pay. I’ve been scammed so it’s very crucial to understand your taking a risk talking to anyone online about purchasing anything. Ever since I that I don’t trust WhatsApp or paying someone directly through my bank. When I go to pay a vendor I pay half up front through the website so it’s on record. Once I get detailed pictures of the process before & after, The boxes being shipped & the tracking number is showing my parcel is on its way, that’s when I immediately send the other half of the payment. If none of that happens I’ll get my half of the money back through the site & the scammer will be reported & store flagged. I have a main vendor from Sialkot, Punjab if I’m not mistaken. I met him through a friend who did some previous work with him. Deals was the best, matter fact Shoutout everybody over at “Host Sports” real talk. Bringing that premium quality & great customer service. Love from MN all the way to PK. I believe I did 3 projects so far. The last project I did with them was Spring 2025. I feel like they seen my vision. They knew exactly what I wanted & made no mistakes, They even do there own promo for every client they have. Very dope to me. You seeing people overseas sharing your dream & being known in places due to the natives of the land showing that love. It’s a crazy to know that to me. With you never even stepping foot on there soil. They changed my perspective on merch to be honest. Before them I was with another vendor which was actually the cousin of the manufacture who stole my money (Cries Laughing). I didn’t take it out on him at all. In this world I grown to know that these things are bound to happen when your learning. & I’m still learning how to trust people.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Jamar Miller, also known as ItsPeace, Mr. 22nd, AKA “The Dad I Never Had.” (Laughs) I’m the owner of Focus Thoughts LLC and the creator behind Focus Thoughts The Brand. I was born and raised in Minneapolis, specifically South Minneapolis, and my journey into fashion didn’t start in a traditional way. It started with life, real experiences, struggles, growth, and learning how powerful your mindset can be. I built Focus Thoughts to turn those lessons into something people could wear. It started with poetry content called “Focal Views” & Wristbands with impactful messages for the youth in my city. Since launching the brand in 2022, I’ve been focused on creating meaningful streetwear that goes beyond just clothing. Every design carries a message about self-belief, cultural awareness, discipline, and staying mentally strong even when life tries to pull you in different directions. I’ve developed my craft through self teaching, creative experimentation, and learning the discipline it takes to stay consistent as an entrepreneur. Being an underground brand actually makes me different. Built on authenticity and real stories. What I’m most proud of is simply still being here. From 2022 to 2026 the journey has been rough mentally at times, but I never quit. That alone is powerful to me because the brand represents perseverance in real time. I want my supporters, clients, and followers to understand that it’s a mindset. One thing I always say is, “Protect your thoughts, because your thoughts become your direction.” And most importantly, I want people to know that Focus Thoughts is for everyday people chasing something bigger than where they started. None of this would mean anything without the supporters who believe in the message, so I always say “S/O to all the Focus supporters and everyone who has placed an order.” This brand is still growing, but the mission is simple. Inspire people to Inspire themselves. Think stronger, move with purpose, and keep becoming the best version of yourself. Change isn’t something we do. It’s something we are.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that just because the world normalizes certain behaviors & mindsets in society, I have to normalize them too. Growing up, I spent time in the streets around people and situations that were considered “normal” in the environment I was in. The activities, the mindset, and even the company you kept were things that many people around me had accepted as just part of life. But at a certain point I had to step back and really look at where that path was leading me. There were moments where I realized the things I was involved in, some of the individuals I was engaging with, even the person I was becoming, wasn’t healthy for my life or my future. If I’m being honest, I came to a point where I understood I could have easily lost my future, even my life, if I didn’t start unlearning those patterns. I had to face the truth that sometimes people become comfortable in their own destruction because society has already decided it doesn’t care what happens to them. I refused to accept that. I didn’t want to just be another guy from the neighborhood or another statistic people read about and forget. I wanted my life to matter.
That experience changed my perspective on everything. It taught me that following the crowd just because something is normalized can quietly destroy you if you’re not careful. I realized I never wanted to be someone who simply tags along with the masses or chases what everyone else thinks is popular or respected. My journey has always been more about following where God is leading me. Sometimes that means having your eyes opened to things that weren’t shown to you before, new knowledge, new opportunities, and meeting great people whether they’re known by a few or known by many. I’ve learned that it’s important to use your voice and speak up about what you believe in, even when it’s different from the crowd. At the same time, I believe in allowing people to be who they are without treating their differences like they’re the enemy. People deserve understanding and love, even when they walk different paths. For me, unlearning those old ways wasn’t just about survival, it was about choosing growth. Becoming the man I was meant to be.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
One of the most consistent influences in my life is the habit of watching motivational and philosophical content daily. Speakers like Jordan Peterson and Eric Thomas have shaped how I think about responsibility, purpose, and resilience. Peterson often speaks about the importance of individual responsibility and “putting your life in order,” which reminds me that entrepreneurship begins with self-discipline and accountability. Eric Thomas, on the other hand, brings a raw level of intensity about commitment and effort. His message about refusing mediocrity and pushing through adversity resonates deeply with the grind it takes to build something from nothing. I also spend time watching content from the YouTube channel “Motivational Instinct”.
Mooji is a Jamaican-born spiritual teacher based in Portugal who speaks about what he calls the “pathless path” to enlightenment. His teachings focus on the immediate recognition of the true self rather than a long, complicated process of becoming. Through simple but powerful pointers, he encourages people to move beyond the egoic mind and observe life with clarity and awareness. As an entrepreneur, that philosophy has helped me understand the importance of staying grounded and not letting ego control my decisions. Business can easily become about validation or competition, which remind me to operate from a place of authenticity and awareness rather than reaction. One of the most impactful books for me has been The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene. Greene’s work explores human motivations, emotional drives, and the psychological patterns that influence how people interact with one another. His analysis of behavior, power, and self-awareness has helped me understand relationships in how people think, what motivates them, and how awareness of human nature can help someone become a more strategic and thoughtful leader. Another book that influenced my thinking is Silence: The Power of Quiet in a World Full of Noise by Thich Nhat Hanh. That book emphasizes mindfulness, inner stillness, and the value of quiet reflection. In a world where entrepreneurs are constantly moving and making decisions, it reminds me that clarity often comes from slowing down and listening to your inner voice rather than constantly reacting to external noise.
Interestingly, one of the earliest books that shaped my imagination was Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. It’s a children’s book that enlightens powerful creativity, imagination, and emotional expression. As a kid, that story showed me that the mind can travel to places that reality hasn’t reached yet, and that kind of imagination is important for anyone building something new. Entrepreneurship requires that same willingness to imagine something different and bring it into the real world.
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Image Credits
1st image I want credit for this individual. Her name is “A U R A” TikTok: angelaura444
2nd image I want credit for this individual “Ilya Ward” Owner of Russian Tree Service
3rd Image is me “itsPeace”