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PSA: WHY DO YOU MATTER?

Growing up in New York City, you find out very quickly this is a place of major opportunity. Different cultures are deeply rooted here from graffiti, fashion to hip-hop. Given the internet today, becoming a contributor to any of these cultures have become more common than ever. Whether you're commuting in the city or walking down a busy street block, guarantee somebody is on their grind ready to hand out their next business card to any person higher up who can elevate their career to awesomeness. So the question I want to ask is with everyone trying to advance themselves, "Why do you matter?" Don't take that question personal because let's be honest, there's nothing special about you. Your ideas aren't original, your presentation isn't innovative, your team is lazy, your brand needs branding and the list goes on. Are you ready to quit yet? No? Good! Because people will crush your dreams without a care in the world if you excel or not. There aren't any special favors or handouts. There isn't any sympathy. Truthfully, you have to show people why you matter. Show them why you're important to the culture you desire to contribute to. If you believe you are where you are suppose to be and you are doing what you're suppose to be doing, then this is it. No plan b. No alternative path. Work smart and get what you desire. Show people why you are important to the conversation, why your opinion is valid and your ideas are necessary. Show them why you matter.

SUCCESS IS NOT A NUMBERS GAME

People come up to me and ask for advice all the time. If there is anything I can share with those people I inspire, I will tell everyone that success is not a numbers game. Do not pay attention to the numbers. They don't mean anything. The only thing that matters is consistency and working smart to achieve your goals. Ignore Instagram likes, Twitter follower's count, Youtube views etc. All that is a fabrication of true success. Real success happens when you log off, network face to face, meeting your fanbase, no long having to introduce yourself because people know who you are etc. Believe me when I say that creating quality content and being consistent about your shit is all that matters. Focus solely on the quality of your work. Ignore the numbers.

CHAPTER 20: BEING ON THE SAME PAGE

In order for people to learn from one another, you have to speak their language. You can't expect someone to learn if you talk on a level that's beyond them. You have to talk their talk. You have to be still and observe their world and see what make's them them. You won't reach the masses if you can't communicate and understand their world.

THANK YOU SHAWN STUSSY

"So as you're developing your brand, what I think I’m trying to say is you don’t know what's going to resonate. You don’t know what's going to stand the test of time and one thing I want to point out is, the building of a brand from my perspective. You don’t start and say I’m building a brand. You start a project and your passionate about that project and you live that project and you work your ass off for that project and to me, the goal is getting the brand. Today, everybody’s starting a brand and I get that but the wording bothers me because the brand is the prize at the end of doing the right thing and being passionate about what you do." - Shawn Stussy

CHAPTER 18: RECHARGING YOURSELF

Have you ever gotten an idea to do something and you felt inspired or maybe you've been motivated to do something because of a simple conversation. We've all been there and what I've came to understand is the people who become successful in this world aren't the ones who come up with the best ideas. It's the people who act on that idea and continue to recharge themselves to be inspired that do what it is they want to do. If it's one thing you must understand is that inspiration, passion, motivation etc. doesn't always last. You may wake up one morning and feel the need to do nothing. Listen it happens. You have to continue to recharge yourself whether that's through reading material, attending lectures, writing your goals and hanging them somewhere, surrounding yourself with like minded people, talking to yourself, yoga etc. Always remember to recharge yourself!

REWIND BACK TO 2013

One of my proudest moments in 2013 was definitely making it onto Complex Magazine. This is a publication I can honestly say I never thought I be on because everybody tries and isn't always likely. Besides this dope ass accomplishment, here is a list of other dope shit I've done in 2013.

Attended a TEDtalk Lecture.

Visited Pop Int'l, Project Space, Mary Boone & Galerie Perriton.

Founded JeffStashbox.

Collaborated with Keisha C. for an art project, Culture Criminals.

Shot my first and last Music Video.

Dropped out of School. (Pending Transferring Student)

Freelanced for a Sneaker Company, Aglit Italy.

Had a meeting at Viacom. Didn't get the job.

Seen Drake, 2Chainz, Pro Era, World's Fair, Pusha T in concert.

Met the Owner of FRANK151, Curren$y & Nick Diamond.

Met Swizz B., KAWS & Pharrell @ "Pass the Blame" Art Exhibition.

Heard Tasha Bleu speak at Reed Annex.

Met JeffStaple during a lecture at Grindspaces.

Collaborated with Tannis S. on a book project, Exploration Sessions.

BE YOUR OWN PLUG

In one of my previous post, I spoke about doing you. This post will have a similar message but slightly different. Too often, people look at me and see what it is I'm doing and ask the question, "How are able to do what you?" I've been blessed to think differently than most and also I'm not afraid to execute my own ideas. Most importantly, I don't look for anyone to do for me what I can already do for myself. That's why my message in this post is "Be Your Own Plug." Stop looking for people to service you and put you on. Yes we've heard the quote,"It's who you know" like a thousand times but without the proper knowledge, how long do you expect to stay at the top? Better yet, how silly do you look waiting for others to put you on when you can utilize your time bettering your craft and learning new things. Stop waiting for a "yes" from others and create your own opportunity. Stop latching onto other people's success and create your own path. Yes it can be scary but the reward is priceless.

THANK YOU NIGEL

"I always emphasize to people that you must chase your dream and never give up. I feel if you really want to achieve your goals and become successful in life developing a ever lasting hunger for whatever it is you want is required." - Nigel Sylvester

CHAPTER 14: _____ _____ PAY ME !

Often when you're in the publics' eye and it's noted you have a special talent of some sort, people will eventually gravitate towards you if you're good at what you do (or accessible). I've been blessed with numerous of opportunities to make money through my talents and I can say if you're good at something, always charge people and here's why.

People will put off what they can do today for tomorrow always.

If you do something for free the first time trust me it won't be the last.

You spend more time doing for them then them doing for you.

People will abuse your services up till the point you say no.

They say they're giving you exposure but there is none.

You're good at what you do.

They have the money but don't want to spend it.

Slavery is over.

You work harder then them.

You don't really need them.

JEFFSTASHBOX MEETS JEFFSTAPLE

It was only a couple years ago I started watching 1-2-1 interviews, seeing STPL lookbooks on Hypebeast and Complex or seeing video Q&As on KarmaloopTV of Jeff speaking about his brand Staple. Definitely one of my top influencers and a person I can thank for having me think the way I do today.

#jeffstaple #grindspace #jeffstashbox #stapledesign #staple #stpl #flockwithus #creative #streetculture

CHAPTER 12: WITH STYLE AND GRACE

Most people ask me, "How would I define my success?" For what little I've achieved so far, I don't always know how to answer that question. However, what I can answer is how I've be able to place myself in this position to receive the opportunities I'm in. I've always believed whatever you choose to do, it's not about the level of passion you have (because you have to work hard like everyone else), your 5-year-plan (because it's never a plan that's in 5 years), who you know (because sometimes you don't need others), who knows you (because they're opportunist) or any of those generic "laws of success" people usually throw out there. It's about giving a fuck about the quality of your work and not caring about what other people have to say about it. My work, essentially yes is for display for others to observe and critic but I create for the satisfaction for myself. I didn't get this far waiting on what others had to say, telling me what I had to change or do different. I listened to myself and when I felt I needed to do better, I did better. When things needed improvement, I took shit to the next level. I never settle for less but also I never do things over the top. When you create in this manner, there will be a natural gravitation to who you are and what you do because people love authenticity. People want the real. Always create with the sense of quality and elegance. Be yourself at all times but with style and grace.

READING LIST OF 2014

Unlabel: Selling You Without Selling Out by Marc Ecko

Fresh Off the Boat: A Memoir by Eddie Huang

Places and Spaces I’ve Been by Pharrell Williams

The Tanning of America by Steve Stoute

Die Empty: Unleash Your Best Work Every Day by Todd Henry

Buck: A Memoir by MK Asante

Cult Streetwear by Josh Sims

Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon

The Valkyries by Paulo Coelho

Do Right Do Good by Jean Alerte & Zangba Thomson

Empowering Yourself by Harvey J Coleman

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

THE COMING ATTRACTIONS (#1): JEFFSTASHBOX

While operating Liveband Magazine, I've developed a lot of different skills and talents. With all of the content I've created, I decided to make a portfolio documenting all of my photography, video, graphic design work and basically anything I decide to contribute to. So why the name Jeffstashbox? I take great pride in my work and I was searching for a word that meant collective. Whenever you have something that you hold dearest to you, you put it away in a "stash" which could be anything including a "box." Are you catching on? And um, my first name is Jeff so there you go. I'm working on a lot of cool things for Summer & Fall 2013 so yeah make sure you peep what's already in the stash and other stuff to come.

THANK YOU JAY Z

"I was forced to be an artist and a CEO from the beginning, so I was forced to be like a businessman because when I was trying to get a record deal, it was so hard to get a record deal on my own that it was either give up or create my own company." - Jay-Z

CHAPTER 8: DO YOU !

As culture continually evolves, so do the people. Each generation brings something new to the table pushing culture forward. As far as my generation, I can't think of anyone else who has made a larger impact than Pharrell Williams. His influence on music, fashion, and art as well as other cultures has left a mark in all of us who don't represent the norm. How far are you willing to achieve success even if it means you look like an outcast to the world because you don't fit the norm? Because you don't look, sound, speak, dress, think or move like everyone else? Let me ask another question. Have you ever thought of an idea but was too afraid to act on it because it was too "left field" but then saw someone else execute that very same idea you thought of? There's nothing far worse than seeing someone else live out your dreams because you're too scared or afraid to put yourself out there. Fuck who is looking. Fuck those passing judgment. Fuck who don't believe in you. Fuck them all. DO YOU even when you are at your lowest point, DO YOU even when you feel like giving up, DO YOU even if you stand alone. DO YOU! DO YOU! DO YOU! At the end of the day, if we don't have those people who are bringing "different" ideas to the table, culture cannot move forward.

THIS ISN'T ANOTHER SNEAKER REVIEW!!!

I'm not much of a sneaker head but if I had to bet on a pair of sneakers that most people are familiar with, it would have to be the Air Jordan Black/Cement 3's. The shoe was created by Tinker Hatfield and was released in the year 1988. Tell me after countless number of releases way after the very first, how is it that a sneaker is capable of impacting generation after generation? Maybe the success of Jordan's career drives the attention or is it the overall presentation of the shoe created by Mr. Hatfield. Whatever the case maybe, please ask yourself the question. What are you creating that is going to make an impact in the world you live in and will it have meaning? Will it have significance and purpose? Why do you do what you do and is it important? Do people care? Should they? I believe we all should strive to create something surpassing our own existence that embeds itself deeply rooted in the very same culture that inspires us. When inspired, give back to the source of inspiration so others too can be inspired. Continue to feed whatever culture that's giving you purpose to inspire, to be creative and most importantly, purpose to exist. Whelp....that is all!

TEAM WORK: THE COLLECTIVE EFFECT

If there was anything I've learnt from running Liveband Magazine is that you need a team. There is no getting around this. I don't care what type of business you run, what industry you're in or who you work for, if you want long lasting success, YOU NEED A TEAM. Why? As a company grows, you'll find out there's more responsibility to be accountable for. You can only do so much by yourself. Your team doesn't have to share the same passion as you but for what it's worth, you all should share the same end game. "At the end of the day, we want this company to be "__________" and whatever that "_________" is, that vision should be the common thread keeping you all working beyond limitations. I've learned this lesson the hard way and to be honest, I'm surprised I actually lasted this long. From creating the website, the logo, ads, checking emails, blogging, managing the site, doing the interviews, shooting the videos, editing the videos, editing images, creating the spreads, choosing the music, and I can go on and on but I'm tired lol. Form your team, build with your team, create with your team, win some, and lose some but most important, make history!

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