We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jose Tapia. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jose below.
Jose, so glad you were able to set aside some time for us today. We’ve always admired not just your journey and success, but also the seemingly high levels of self-discipline that you seem to have mastered and so maybe we can start by chatting about how you developed it or where it comes from?
Being a first generation Mexican-American me and my family have had to built from scratch. Since birth my father worked very long hours for years just to make sure me and my 6 siblings always had food in our table and buy us stuff we asked for. Now that he is older he doesn’t have the capacity of working like he used to therefore I believe it is my turn to repay him for everything he has done for us.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
5 years ago I was a Professional Chauffeur driving high profile clients for a living. A few times I was asked about my background and where I lived, when I would tell them I lived in Watts I always got the OMG’s and ugly shocked faces. One day i pledged to help change the narrative and change people’s point of view towards the “ghetto” so I quit my job that day and began my mission. Fast forward to 2023 i am now a self employed Sneaker Artist thanks to all my hard work ive made people from my city proud to say they live in Watts and have even gotten praised by people from other cities.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
3 qualities I believe have been impactful in my journey would be Faith, hardwork and humbleness. Faith that I’m already destined for greatness so no matter how many times life knocks me down in the end I’ve I’m going to come out victorious. As a self employed Artist hardwork has not only opened many doors for me but has kept me in business for 6 years now with consistent orders always coming in. Last but not least the most important humbless, as successful as I’ve been blessed to get my humbleness is what keeps me grounded. I come from nothing and I know as fast as I’ve blown up at any minute I could lose it all therefore no matter how good/bad life gets I am always the same humble person. My advice to all of you barely starting is Network! Literally anywhere you go talk about what you do, you never know who you meet or who they know and what they could do for you.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
I’ve been waiting for a question like this to give the proper credit to my good friend i now consider a brother Valente aka “Baseballhead”. This man has not only opened countless doors for me but always extends his hand to me and hundreds of other people without ever expecting anything in return. Hes also taught me how to approach celebrities and sees the moment not be shy or hesitant to talk to them. Thanks to these qualities I’ve learned from him I don’t feel intimidated or like I don’t belong when I’m in a room full of famous people.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @zapatos.la
- Other: Tiktok: @Iamzapatos
Image Credits
@Shotsbygil
