What Inspired You?

Growing up in East Cleveland, I spent most of my life feeling like I was in the wrong room. I was constantly piecing together my identity from the places I had been, the people who influenced me, and the things that shaped me.

I was a kid who didn't quite fit in.

I moved from school to school, private christian schools a lot of the time because my mom couldn't keep up with tuition payments while working multiple jobs. A lot of the time, I was the only white kid in my class, and I was soaking up everything around me.

Hip-hop, style, and culture that were completely new to me became part of my foundation. I was introduced to Busta Rhymes, Fabolous, Kid Cudi, and Kanye West. That was just my environment. It shaped who I am now, i think?

Kanye West is someone I relate to deeply. Here's a guy who never asked permission to be himself, and neither do I. Kanye was raised by a single mother who pushed his ambition and made him believe he could accomplish anything. That drive to be fully himself, unapologetic and raw, is something I understand.

We've both made mistakes. We've both taken wrong turns and probably pushed things a little too far at times. But we keep building. We take the hits, learn from them, and use them as fuel.

Kanye's life is a reminder that you have to go all-in on who you are, regardless of what anyone else thinks. That's something I try to live by every day.

It wasn't just Kanye's attitude. It was his fashion, his music, and the way he moved through the world.

His style evolved in a way that showed me you don't have to stay inside one box. From the pink polos during The College Dropout era to the experimental Yeezy designs, he constantly pushed boundaries. He showed me fashion isn't just about clothing. It's about expression. It's about saying something before you even open your mouth.

His music was the same way. Every album felt like a new chapter, a different sound, a different statement. It showed me that you can keep evolving, keep reinventing yourself, and still stay true to who you are.

During those years, I was also obsessed with skate and street culture.

I would look through Eastbay and CCS catalogs like they were sacred texts. For a kid in the late '90s and early 2000s, those catalogs were everything. Plus, they were free, which ruled.

Eastbay was where you found the shoes nobody else had yet. CCS was where you saw the latest skate decks, streetwear, and gear. It wasn't just clothing. It was identity.

Flipping through those pages, I imagined who I wanted to become, what I wanted to wear, and how I wanted to show up in the world. It was a window into possibility.

Cleveland itself was one of my biggest influences.

Artists from this city shaped how I viewed creativity. Derek Hess showed me that art could be dark, raw, emotional, and deeply personal. Glen Infante, the creator behind Ilthy, showed me that clothing and design could represent a city, a culture, and a community.

Ilthy became more than a brand. It represented the grit and resilience of Cleveland. It showed me that you can take where you're from and turn it into something super dope.

Jeff Finley and the work from GoMedia showed me how digital design could combine creativity with a punk attitude. Designers like Paul Rand and Michael Bierut showed me that simplicity and bold ideas could speak louder than trends.

When I look back, my inspirations come from a lot of different places. Skate culture, hip-hop, street art, and the people around me.

I grew up idolizing athletes who had a different kind of talent. Tracy McGrady and Allen Iverson weren't just basketball players to me. They were proof that you could bring your own style, your own heart, and your own identity into the game.

Then there were skateboarders and BMX riders like Eric Koston, Kareem Campbell, Chase Hawk, and Mike Aitken. They weren't just doing tricks. They were creating an art form.

They showed me that if you want to stand out, you have to carve your own path, make your own rules, and create something that only you could create.

But through all of this, my family was the foundation.

My Aunt Barb was my first real inspiration in the kitchen. Every time I visited, she cooked meals from scratch with care while we watched The Ghoul Show and reruns of Seinfeld. She taught me about table manners, respecting food, and how the smallest details can make a meal meaningful.

Her home was like a gallery. Custom-framed artwork filled the walls, and every piece had a story. She showed me that creativity isn't just something you put on display. It's how you live.

My dad, a chef, worked harder than anyone I knew. He came from a rough background, from an adopted family, with plenty of obstacles in front of him, but he never let that stop him.

My mom, always serving others, taught me that strength doesn't have to be loud. Sometimes strength is just showing up every day, helping people, and doing what needs to be done without needing recognition.

Together, they taught me that success is about effort, consistency, and giving something back.

my son.

He is the purest form of inspiration I have.

Watching him grow and seeing the world through his eyes reminds me what actually matters. His curiosity and imagination are endless. He keeps me grounded and reminds me to stay true to myself and keep creating something meaningful.

These are some of my inspirations. The things that keep me moving, creating, working, and dreaming.

For a long time, I was embarrassed by the things I loved. I felt ashamed of what made me different. Feeling like you don't fit in anywhere can do that to you.

But I've learned that the best thing you can do is own who you are.

Don't hide where you came from. Don't apologize for what shaped you. Let those things fuel you.

So what about you?

What inspires you? Who or what pushes you to show up fully, even when it's hard? What moments or people shaped who you are today?

I'd love to hear what drives you.

Reach out. Tell me your story. I wont make fun of you. too much.