We recently connected with Shamar Smith and have shared our conversation below.

Shamar, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

To a degree i feel as if it’s innate, the curiosity and creative instinct, i would say taking the risk of diving head first and trying on my own with no prior knowledge to the game made me yearn for more as well as seek out the knowledge. Knowing what i know now the one thing i can say that would’ve sped up my learning process is just really applying myself, try different techniques, obtain different information and actually use it. Some essential skills i believe are needed is- some grit, have to be willing to get your hands dirty and put in leg work. A lot of perseverance just because there’s a lot that comes with it and it isn’t always good. And simply some hustle, If you’re not willing to push yourself to that point to where it’s almost stressful to a degree than you may not have what it takes to hit your breakthrough. One obstacle that stood in my way during my process was just myself. Wanting to rush things and not accept them for what they were and really sit in the process and let things develop organically. Once i learned how to control that feeling everything changed.

Shamar, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For individuals who may not know who i am, at the core i’m a genuine soul who loves to create freely & inspire the next individual to do the same. whether it be through my words, actions or my business.

My entrepreneurship derives from my passion for creating and my need of Self expression. “SKS” (My Brand) was born at a time when i was lost and needed an outlet. I was using my creativity to create clothing for myself which was bringing that needed peace at the time. Took it to the internet and received an organic response that exceeded any expectations i put on it because i had none, it was all for me and my needs at the time. From there I just dove right into it.

SKSARCHIVES is for the individuals looking for unique and distinctive pieces, for the ones that want more than just a piece of clothing; an experience. Ones that want to express themselves freely while not breaking the bank.

What i think sets us apart from any other brand is our ability to have a meaning behind every single release. A deeper routed meaning behind our clothes, whether it’s us showing you how to turn pain into passion with a puffer coat or whether it’s us giving the proceeds to a non profit organization that provides an outlet for creatives in need; which i once was. It all has significant meaning and it’s all bigger than me.

I’m most proud of the fact that i was able to take my situation that i was in prior to creating SKS and turn it into not only an outlet but a legitimate business to where we also have other creatives and other artists celebrating and coming together as a community.

Only thing i want individuals to take from SKS is this is all a huge ball of energy, bigger than just a brand. We have a real message and a way of going about things that touches the individuals it needs to touch. We’re all about pushing not only boundaries but the agenda of self expression completely free of judgement. Individualism is important and we need more outlets, SKS is one of them.

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

I had to do a lot of unlearning in my journey, one of the biggest was complacency. i struggled with that big time early on. when you come from the inner city and all you know is what you see it’s easy for the mind to get blocked off from things it hasn’t experienced before or it just can’t fathom of doing which ends up capping you off when really there is no ceiling to this.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

what’s most rewarding for me as an artist is the fact i can be 100% myself and do things i genuinely enjoy and have a passion for and in return it inspires others to jump up and do the same for themselves. That’s enough for me & my soul.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://SKSARCHIVES.COM
• Instagram: @marunlocked / @sksarchives