We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kalumet King a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kalumet, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
My work ethic stems from my elders—my grandparents, aunt, and parents. These individuals were/are incredibly hardworking and always found a way to make things happen, whether during times of abundance or moments of struggle.
Because of their example, I find it difficult to stay still. I have a deep aversion to feeling stagnant and an unwavering drive to maintain momentum.
Sometimes, people gently suggest I’m taking on too much, yet they’re often surprised when I manage to see everything through.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
In 2025, everything feels brand new. It’s been five years since the pandemic, and my world is finally finding its way back to a sense of normalcy.
Like many others, the time in quarantine gave me a chance to reflect. I shifted from focusing on things I “had” to do and started pursuing what I “wanted” to do. During this time, the typical 9-to-5 lifestyle lost its appeal, and my brand, Instant Karma Apparel, took a significant hit.
I decided to explore a few “career what-ifs.” I was awarded a recurring art residency with Arts@Large, where I blended creativity, Pop Art, music, and history into a curriculum for K-12 students. This experience not only allowed me to teach and connect with younger generations but also gave me the opportunity to fully immerse myself in my art—rediscovering my passion for creativity at its core.
In addition, I re-entered the music industry, focusing on songwriting, composing, and artist development for some incredibly talented artists.
Now, in 2025, I’ve returned to the corporate world with a fresh outlook, new perspectives, and renewed priorities. Instant Karma Apparel is reemerging with a rebrand and an entirely new collection of merchandise. I’m also collaborating with three amazing artists who are all releasing projects this year.
Through my time teaching students about artistic processes and techniques, I rediscovered my love for both physical and digital art. I’m currently developing a series titled “Forward Motion”, where I experiment with wood as a medium—most notably using skateboards as a canvas. The series also includes direct-to-canvas pieces and high-quality prints.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three lessons have guided me throughout my journey and have always stuck with me: 1. Seek New Rooms: If you’re the smartest person in every room you enter, it’s time to find new rooms. Surrounding yourself with people who challenge and inspire you is key to growth.
2. Stay Teachable: Always remain open to learning—everyone, even children, can teach you something new. Curiosity and humility can open doors to unexpected opportunities.
3. Pursue Your Passion: If you can, build a career around something you love and would do for free. When your work aligns with your passion, every day feels like a win, and even the stressful moments become manageable because your passion will push you through the challenges.
By following these three principles, I’ve continuously grown and pushed myself to new heights. They’ve not only shaped my journey but have also led me to connect with and build relationships with some truly legendary people along the way.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
Im going to answer two because I can’t pick if that’s ok.
Q: What book has played an important role in your development and what were a few of the most valuable or impactful nuggets of wisdom?
A: A Book That Impacted My Development
Atomic Habits by James Clear, hands down. I start every year by rereading this book. It’s a powerful guide for creating good habits, breaking bad ones, and making meaningful changes through small, consistent steps. Some of those steps may feel uncomfortable at first, but they lead to a major, lasting impact over time.
This book has been invaluable in helping me refine my daily routines and stay focused on long-term growth.
Q: Are you looking for folks to partner or collaborate with? If so, describe the sorts of folks you are looking to collaborate with and how they can connect with you if they are reading this and want to collaborate.
A:
I’m absolutely looking forward to more musical collaborations, particularly in writing, composing, and artist development. I’m already working with a group of incredible, budding artists, but I would also love the opportunity to expand my experience by working with larger, established artists as well.
If you’re interested in collaborating, feel free to reach out via email – kingkalumetmusic@gmail.com. I’d love to connect and create something meaningful together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.instantkarmaapparel.com/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kalumetdesigns?igsh=MWxuenpqZHlqMnNhcg==
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalumet-king-7a426a88?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@instantkarmaapparel?si=pOrqMewad9bnvLd6
Image Credits
Suit Pictures taken by – @CarnegieImagery Second Set (2 Images) – @FamousMotionFilms414 Teaching Photos taken by – @MelanatedMama
