We recently connected with Sky Singleton and have shared our conversation below.

Sky, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

When you tell someone you’re an artist for a living, they kind of look at you different. No one really knows a bunch of peple that have got rich from art personally. That’s what it was for me, I use to be nervous to tell people that I was an artist for a living. But here I am 3 years out of the corporate world and striving with in my own buisness of making art for a living. When I first started customizing I didn’t think it would be like a big money maker. I figured it would be something I enjoyed doing on the side while I still worked full time. I remember doing my first pair of custom shoes, I believed I charged like $5o bucks. It was a friend that wanted some airmax revamped and a 420 design. I didn’t get another order for awhile. I did however keep promoting kept pushing. That excitment of someone paying me money, not a company, not some big brand I was working for, but me and my art. It was this sudden rush. Then I decided one day to take my customs online I started an ETSY account, it was almost like instant popularity. I got one sale then ten, then twenty, then one-hundred. I was still working full time when I realized that my art money was surpassing my full time job. And I was selling cars working 40+ hours a week makin great money. It was extreamly hard for me to even think about quiting, but I needed to choose one. And in an instant I choose my passion for art over the “security” of my 9-5. I’ve never looked back, although there has been some slow times it’s still rewarding to get paid to do something I love. I’m a strong beliver in things happen for a reason. So I feel like everything fell into place on time.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

So my Brand is Skykickz customs, I spealize in custom sneakers. I hand paint and create that one of kind look that people are really looking for. I also make custom clothing and anything paint can go on. I got started during COVID, just as somethig to occupy my time while laid off. I began doing friends and family’s shoes. Then once ai got online the business grew into something I would of never thought of. I put a lot of research and time into customizing. I use the highest quality paint and brushes and just like any skill. Since I practice daily the quality of my work has gotten so much better. I think what sets me apart from others is although the money is good, I really do it for the culture. I love displaying my art and seeing people’s amazment when ever they see their shoes. I will say I had to really take advantage of the social media platform. It was a a difficult process because I was on my phone all the time. My relationship took a toll, my family life and pretty much everything. it paid off! late last year I became monitized on all platforms and now make money to do the regualar things I do already. TikTok views also brought new cliental. I have had the oppurtunity to do shoes for a few celerberties. Juvenile, Lyfe Jennings, J Holiday, and a few coming up that are in the works. I also was able to link with a business partner and open a store front THE FLY TRAP!!! it’s so cool, just a whole warehouse of custom gear a lot of 1 of 1 items. We literaly make your visions come to life. I love when people gift our products, because they’re so thoughtful and the outcome is always better.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think Society can be more accepting to creatives being an actual career. A lot of people don’t encourage their children of family members to presue art as a money revenue. I know when I was growing up no one took me serious when I said I wanted to be an artist for a living. Which discouraged me to start my path. I do feel like it delayed me showing the world that I have talent and showing kids that a creative career is possible.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I think that non creatives do not understand the time that goes into making anything. For instance they feel they can send you a picture and you should be able to recreate it in miniuets. Also the high pay out and low income. For instant I buy a particular paint, that cost ten dollars for a 4 oz bottle. That’s one color, I have about sixty colors that’s $600 in paint alone. Then when I charge one-hindred and seventy five dollars for a custom shoe. People feel i’m over priced. Not including the over head of bein a store owner and all the supllies that go along with the paint. I feel that if non creatives would just appriate the time that goes into making their vision come to life. evrything will even out.I love the clients that do understand and tip because they always say, “how do you do that.” That means more to me then the money.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @skykickz_customs
• Facebook: Skykickz Customs