Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michael Penny. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Michael, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

So, it was definitely an exciting and validating experience! The first dollar I made came from Facebook/Meta Inc., I spent months creating content and while I was making progress engagement wise, I still was not able to pull in enough engagement to monetize my content. Most of my contemporaries decided to switch to either Twitch or YouTube for this same reason. I decided to remain with Facebook as my primary platform as I was sure my perseverance would be eventually rewarded… in which it finally was! A few of my posts and reels made their way through Facebook garnishing very positive reception, this in turn sent my engagement through the roof and led me to making not only my first dollar, but first three hundred dollars!

This was validating for many reasons. In the field of Digital Creation specifically the social media niche there tends to be a line of people who are ready to doubt you and your ability to bring in revenue, due to its “unpredictable” nature. However, in that moment I was able to prove them wrong while simultaneously proving myself right!

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

When I think back on the catalyst to what I do now it always goes back to the same singularity, dancing. Dancing opened the door to fashion, and video creation for me! I was born in St. Louis, MO in the hot Summer of 1992 and attended Normandy Senior High School. In high school I was a part of a dance crew, I was responsible for editing our videos, using the then popular Sony Vegas Pro program which familiarized me with videography. Being a dancer, you also had to look the part which meant diving into the world of fashion which became yet another medium in which to express myself.

It would be another decade before I decided to actually pursue a career in digital creation. I served four years in the United States Marines between then and had plans to join the FBI afterwards however had a change of heart after I realized I wanted something different for myself. The monotony of a forty-hour work week, having to “request” if I can have a day off, having someone tell me when I can take a lunch break, it’s maddening. So, I began thinking of how I could make some extra income, more importantly… passive income.

Using Facebook and Instagram I was already making content on a hobbyist level, this was in 2017 so right at the tipping point of the influencer/digital creation wave. Once I found out its possible to make a living from digital creation alone, I began putting maximum effort into my content creation. I surmised its best to make my digital footprint as large as possible in order to maximize engagement, so I began utilizing every social media platform I could Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook and Reddit!

I began doing unboxing and review videos for streetwear and luxury clothing on my YouTube channel which became a massive success opening the door to my Partership with YouTube allowing me to monetize my content. In these videos I focus not only on aesthetic but as well as intricate detailing, from materials, sizing, durability, and even locality of manufacturing. It was not long afterwards that I was contacted personally by Grammy Award winning artist Tyler, The Creator which is by far my proudest moment. Tyler extended an invitation to me to LA to attend his private GOLF le FLEUR* event after telling me how he really enjoyed a couple of my videos covering his brand GOLF le FLEUR*, he praised my attention to detail along with my passion. meeting that man, though we are the same age was monumental, to see someone at the top that looks like me and even acknowledge me, though I’ve never been one to need external validation from others this was all the validation I would ever need to know that I am travelling on the correct path.

Instagram and Reddit have played a pivotal role in my brand as well, specifically in the fashion niche. Reddit has helped catapult my Instagram reach which has allowed me to monetize my Instagram content. My Instagram content is aimed towards menswear and Avant Garde fashion. I make how-to styling reels aimed at those who like conventional as well as unconventional menswear. I think the men’s fashion scene is very drab mainly due to societal pressures, and just lack of knowledge, however I aim to help change that through my content!

Since then, I’ve worked with companies such as Sperry, Pangaia, Klarna, MVMT, Mod Pizza, Oxcart Assembly, and much more! From modeling and advertising to reviewing! When it comes to my reviews and any products, I endorse it is essential that I myself try the product first to give the most honest opinion possible!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Absolutely, I have several. I believe generational wealth is extremely important for everyone but especially for people of color. As the world stands people of color tend to be marginalized out of business opportunities and other means to attain wealth and contrary to popular belief this is not exclusive to American culture, it is worldwide, well documented, and has been going on for centuries in all cultures. My goal is to lay the groundwork for generational wealth in my family. Where I leave off is where I want the next generation to pick up, it does not matter to me what they decide to pursue I just want them to continue to pursue their dreams in the hopes of being an owner and just an employee. I also hope this inspires others regardless of relation to do the same!

Secondly, I would say my goal is to show other men you don’t have to conform to the societal pressures of how a man should dress. Your style can be as subtle or as overt as YOU want it to be. So, wear that colorful floral button up with some nice neutral pants. Don’t be afraid of those pastels in the Spring, be bold, be unapologetically you!

Lastly, I want people to know what they are buying! Are you getting that Louis Vuitton Keepall 50 because you genuinely like it, or just because it’s the “it bag” of the season? No matter your reason knowing where your product was sourced, the materials used to manufacture it, and the price point are all things to consider before purchasing ANY product. Also knowing where to find comparable items for less because you don’t need luxury brands to create an amazing look, at all!

Have you ever had to pivot?

As I mentioned, there was a time in my life I wanted nothing more than join the FBI. After my career in the Marines, I dedicated everything I did to strengthening my skill set and resume in regard to law enforcement. I took every class you could think of, and began preparing to join St. Louis County PD. By this point my resume was as long as a legal document filled with Military and Law Enforment experience however, I no longer wanted to be in the law enforcement field. Multiple things contributed to this decision, prior injuries from my military career, mental health, but primarily… I was just sick and tired of being an authority figure in a uniform majority of my life. My entire school career from elementary to high school, then the military then workforce, uniforms… uniforms, uniforms! I felt I was always representing something other than myself.

As an ambivert I tend to have extrovert and introvert qualities, I’m very quiet and reserved around those I don’t know or not comfortable around however could always express myself through my clothing… a uniform puts a major damper on being able to do that. So, I made the decision to start putting all my time and effort into building my brand. This was more difficult than it sounds. No formal training, Not making much money, and my own insecurities. One thing I feared was being viewed as weak by my then peers which were fellow military veterans. Eventually my fear of failing surpassed my fear of being judged by them and everything (though not quickly) fell into place!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Instagram.com/taikyokills
• Facebook: facebook.com/taikyokills
• Youtube: youtubte.com/taikyokills
• Other: Reddit: www.reddit.com/user/Ironsightstai TikTok.com/Taikyokills