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

Kenny , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Our mission is layered… It’s access, freedom, and teaching practical capitalism. In the 1st world, black and brown individuals lack the access to lineage brands, knowledge and access to tailored quality materials that will appreciate in value. In the the 3rd world, the country where I’m from and where the brand is manufactured for example, Haiti, it’s about much more. It’s all of the above ! Financial freedom; Jobs are sparsely available in the country, Your physical safety lies heavily on your finances, but not too much affluence or else be targeted. The more successful our brand, the more jobs/opportunities The locals have access to. I want them to see the possibilities in entrepreneurship ! The government is not coming to save you ! You must do for self ! In the 1st world, if not enough that you’re getting quality, meticulously detailed handmade, tailored product….take solace in the fact that every purchase is an act of assuage in the lives of those below the poverty line.

Kenny , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

This industry has always been familiar to me. My uncle and cousins back home are shoe makers (Artelier), my mom, aunts and many women in my family were or are seamstresses. Thus tailoring, paying attention to the details has been conditioned in me from an early age. Prior to attending Dental school, I was a habitual art major. From primary to high-school I studied a litany of creative art disciplines. Ultimately though, being a child of caribean parents, only the disciplines of Medicine, Engineering, and Law mattered. I Choose the foremost and abandoned my passion for the arts. A Large part of me died after that decision. I unknowingly suffered from what I now know to be depression for more than a decade. Slowly, the creative side resurfaced, recognizing this, I insured its nourishment in my Arteliering endeavors, guitar and drum playing and other creative art forms.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Thata easy, I believed in the business and goal so much, I cleared my bank account and used my career as a dentist to finance the start up.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

IT takes a village ! Noone is successful alone of self-made! That’s a lie ! Eventually you’ll get tired, stomped or plane just can’t figure out the hurdle. You have to learn to kill the ego and lean on others to carry you when you can’t carry yourself. Just make sure you choose your circle wisely !

Contact Info:

• Website: Kenjeffreys.com
• Instagram: Negre.marron & kenjeffreys
• Facebook: Kenjeffreys
• Yelp: Kenjeffreys

Image Credits
Some of the photos have the credits on them, the last 3 were taken by Jeffrey Ampratwum.