Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Isaiah King. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Isaiah, so happy you were able to devote some time to sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our community. So, we’ve always admired how you have seemingly never let nay-sayers or haters keep you down. Can you talk to us about how to persist despite the negative energy that so often is thrown at folks trying to do something special with their lives?
This is a great question. In my experience, as you strive to accomplish things that have not been done before, the amount of public support that you receive decreases. It can seem that people are against you for whatever the reason. Most times, the ones who discourage; the discouragement comes from their own insecurities and incompetency. People who can not see themselves achieving great heights assume that others will fail as well.
Fortunately, I have been surrounded by the most encouraging and supportive people in the industry. With their overwhelming support, I have been able to persist despite the outside nay-sayers. I have to believe that a majority of people want to see you succeed, and that it was I intend to do.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Creative Director is the most accurate way to classify what I do. I am an overall Creative Director of Art, Photography, and Fashion. As a Creative Director, I am typically spearheading/overseeing all creative, marketing, branding, and art initiatives for brands and projects. My role generally involves leading production teams, partnership activations, content creations, to marketing strategy.
Alongside my dedicated team, I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with 50+ brands across the country, including multi-million dollar corporations. Every project demands our best, and we absolutely love what we do. Our objective is to always grow a brand by creating sustainable solutions.
In addition to creative direction, we provide platforms for brands to showcase their product(s) and experiment with marketing. One of the projects that I am excited about is Minnesota Swim Week (MNSW). I am the Founder & CEO of MNSW. MNSW is a swimwear, summer, and resort wear based fashion platform that is dedicated to showcasing numerous brands. We are headed into our second year of business; on the shoulders of our 75,000+ social media account engagements/impressions and collaboration with over 300 persons in 2023.
We look forward to year 2 of MNSW, and we are looking forward to working with additional brands on their creative direction as well.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three qualities/skills that were most impactful on my journey was humility, persistence, and strategy. I would love to elaborate on those points. When I mention humility, I am saying it is important to be humble enough to acknowledge that you may not know everything and should inquire about mentorship. On an entrepreneurial journey, there will be a significant amount of trial and error. It is important to be comfortable seeking out knowledge from people who have succeeded. Whether that is a YouTube tutorial, family friend, or an industry professional. Most established entrepreneurs are willing to share knowledge because they too have been in your place. Humility goes hand in hand with persistence. Failure and ‘roadblocks’ are a part of a successful journey not the opposition. Becoming discouraged is easy as a creator or entrepreneur, but most times, we are just one “no” away from achieving our goals.
Lastly, I can not emphasize enough the importance of strategy. Week-to-week goals and monthly milestones are essential for growth. A good strategy enables you to anticipate challenges, analyze data, and remain accountable. Also, breaking your goals down into manageable tasks can make your goals more approachable and less intimidating. I would highly recommend to develop a strong strategy if you are early in your journey, and to not be afraid to seek mentorship if you have questions.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Luckily, when I have become overwhelmed it has been due to an abundance of projects from incredible people. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make it any easier. I have learned that a good way to reduce the stress is by writing everything down. It helps to have all your thoughts and plans on paper. That way you are able to calmly figure out your next steps.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mnswimweek.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamisaiahking/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaiahking/
- Other: https://kstp.com/tcl/mn-swim-week/
Image Credits
Nichole Gonzalez Thomas Affolter Andre Woods Lena Sa
