We were lucky to catch up with Michelle Hammer recently and have shared our conversation below.
Michelle, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
Being schizophrenic in New York City I see a lot of mentally I’ll homeless people. One day I was riding the F train and saw a homeless man talking to himself in the same mannerisms in how I talk to myself. I then realized if I didn’t have my support of my family friends and doctor that I too could be homeless like him. This is when I wanted to do something to make a difference. I wanted to create a company that would make people more aware of schizophrenia and give back to the mentally I’ll of NYC.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Schizophrenic.NYC was created, founded, & designed by Michelle Hammer, a Schizophrenic New Yorker who wants to make a difference in the way the mentally ill homeless are treated in NYC as well as change the way New Yorkers feel about mental illness. Usually, the Rorschach Test is plain black. When a person with schizophrenia looks at this test or just goes through life, things are seen from a different perspective. What I did was by using my artwork in the test, I changed the colors and patterns so now everyone sees the test from a different perspective. This makes people think differently and starts a discussion. The more discussions about mental health we have, the less stigma there will be.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
What I think has been most effective strategy in growing clientele is that I am a person living with schizophrenia. Many brands for mental illness are made by ally’s of mental illness. Mine is unique because I actually have Schizophrenia.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
What I think helped build my reputation is that I am genuine. I’m not a fake and that I was featured in a WebMD documentary. https://youtu.be/C7Jl9_59tfY
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.schizophrenic.nyc
- Instagram: @schizophrenic.nyc
- Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/schizophrenicnyc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-hammer-767b28108
- Twitter: @schizophrenicny
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SchizophrenicNYC
- Other: TikTok: @schizophrenic.nyc