We recently connected with Myles Johnson and have shared our conversation below.

Myles, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

I was 13 when I got my first taste of entrepreneurship—selling cookies in the Atlanta airport with my Dad. That experience stuck with me. The feeling of making something, offering it to people, and seeing them light up—it was powerful. But fast forward a few years, the idea that really sparked things came when I was just trying to survive and make a little money in high school. I started customizing clothes for myself, and people around me started asking where I got my stuff from. That’s when Styles By Myles was born.

The next step wasn’t glamorous—it was me with a heat press in my bedroom, watching YouTube videos, Googling how to get a business license, and asking questions no one around me really had the answers to. I didn’t wait to have it all figured out. I started by selling roll-on oils and bracelets. The accessories really got me going! The T-Shirts never really worked out for me.

In the months that followed, I had to figure out a lot—where to order blanks, how to track inventory, how to make a basic website, and how to promote myself without feeling cringe. I watched other creators online, but I also kept asking myself: what’s my lane? That question pushed me from selling clothes to selling beanie hats. Then my brand EXPLODED. Now Styles By Myles has evolved into a brand that’s about identity, style, and personal branding.

It wasn’t one big launch moment—it was a series of small, consistent moves. A late-night post. A community pop-up. A student asking me how to start their own thing, and me deciding to teach them what I knew. That’s when I started my next venture which is The Mansion of Dreams. It was born—a youth entrepreneurship program that lets me pass the torch.

Launching wasn’t about having it all together. It was about starting where I was, using what I had, and choosing to believe that my small beginning could grow into something real.

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

My name is Myles Johnson, and I’m a creative entrepreneur, mentor, and community leader from Lansing, Michigan. My journey into entrepreneurship started early—but not in the way most people think. I wasn’t printing shirts or running social media ads. I was in high school, in a 30-week entrepreneurship program that changed everything for me.

Back then, my brand wasn’t even called Styles By Myles—it was I Am Inspirational Tie Clips. I used to dress up every day for school, so I came up with the idea to put powerful affirmations like Strong, Blessed, or Relentless on custom tie clips. The idea was simple but meaningful: when you looked down, especially if you had your head down, you’d see that message and lift your head back up—reminded of who you are and what you stand for.

That program introduced me to mentors who believed in me, including Mrs.Lonzo, who was the first to invest in my vision. From there, my creativity and business mindset only expanded. I rebranded into Styles By Myles and started selling roll-on oils, ties, and socks. I was constantly testing products, figuring out what people liked, ordering from different websites, comparing quality—it wasn’t always smooth, but I was determined.

In 2018, Styles By Myles became official. And in 2020, it finally took off. I dropped a line of custom shorts during the summer, and they sold out. Then came Soul Supply—my body butter line. In the fall, I released beanie hats, and they blew up too. I found a rhythm. I wasn’t just selling products—I was helping people express themselves and feel confident. That’s what set the brand apart: I offered affordable luxury and a vibe that made people feel proud of how they looked and smelled. People would tell me all the time how they got compliment after compliment—whether it was the oils, the shades, or the shorts.

But what I’m most proud of is what came next: I took everything I learned and created The Mansion of Dreams, a youth entrepreneurship program where I teach middle and high school students how to start their own brands. We do hands-on workshops—designing, sewing, pitching, creating real products. I started it because I saw firsthand, as a former substitute teacher, how disengaged students are in school—mainly because they’re not being exposed to things that feel relevant or exciting to them.

So I asked: What if we showed them what’s possible? What if a student realized they could actually make money from their creativity before graduation? What if they saw a version of success that didn’t require waiting until they’re 30?

Through Styles By Myles and The Mansion of Dreams, I’m not just selling products or hosting workshops—I’m giving people permission to dream, build, and believe in something bigger.

What I want people to know about me is simple: I care. I care deeply about the youth, about their futures, and about making sure they see options beyond what school or society may offer them. I’ve lived the hustle, I’ve faced the doubt, and I’ve figured out how to turn ideas into income—and now I use my platform to help others do the same.

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

Since I started my entrepreneurial journey at 13, I got used to operating solo. I built things from the ground up, learned as I went, and carried this mindset that I didn’t need to share my dreams with anyone. I used to believe that if you told people your vision, they’d either steal it, doubt it, or try to block it. So I kept things close. I stayed guarded. And for a while, it worked—I moved in silence, made things happen, and built my own path.

But eventually, that mindset started holding me back.

I realized this most clearly in my role as a County Commissioner. If you don’t share your goals, your plans, or your proposals—nothing moves. If you don’t build support, you don’t get the votes. And if you don’t trust anyone, you end up doing the work alone—and that’s not leadership, that’s burnout.

That lesson showed up again in The Mansion of Dreams, working with youth. You can’t fake it with kids—they can see right through you. And they need structure, love, and consistency. I had to be willing to ask for help—whether it was volunteers, funding, or simply people to step in behind the scenes—so that I could pour into them the way they deserve.

What I learned is this: your vision might start with you, but it will only grow when you invite others in. I had to unlearn the survival mode I picked up early on, and embrace collaboration. And I can honestly say—I wouldn’t be where I am now, or heading where I’m going, if I hadn’t made that shift.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

I’ll never forget the first time I sold my I Am Inspirational Tie Clips. I had just received my first shipment—I was so excited. I had built up a little email list and even called a few people directly, letting them know, “The clips are finally in—do you want to buy one?”

One of the people I called said, “Hey, I’m actually heading to an opera in the next 30 minutes—why don’t you come along?” And without hesitation, I said, “Yeah, I’ll make it happen.”

Now, I didn’t have packaging figured out yet. The clips came in these basic cardboard boxes, and I had no idea how to present them. I remember standing in the kitchen with my mom, asking her, “How should I pack these? I want them to look good.” All we had were plain paper lunch bags. So I carefully placed the clips in the boxes, then dropped the boxes into those paper bags—and that was my packaging.

I pulled up to the event with nothing but paper bags and passion. It was at Patengill at the time, now known as Eastern High School. I walked in, nervous but determined, introducing myself to people: “Hi, my name is Myles Johnson. I sell inspirational tie clips. Would you be interested in supporting?”

Some people said yes, some said no—but I’ll never forget the moment I sold a clip to the mayor. That was the highlight of the night. It felt like confirmation that I was onto something real.

By the end of the evening, I had made $234. That was the first time I had ever made that kind of money on my own. I was writing down everyone’s name in a little red notebook so I could remember exactly who believed in me that day.

That night didn’t just make me a few dollars—it made me believe in myself as a business owner. It showed me what’s possible when you take a leap, even if all you have is a product, a paper bag, and a whole lot of heart.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Sbmyles.com
• Instagram: _stylesbymyles
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mylestjohnson?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@517myles?si=mvbJ_sjQiPJlmeDr

Image Credits

Myles Johnson