MARTIN MYAKA
“I’M PROUD OF MYSELF AND HAPPY WITH THE STRIDES I’VE MADE.”
CREATIVE DIRECTOR RHYS MARCUS JAY // VIDEOGRAPHY BY NOAH SAPON
Outfit by Martin Myaka, Jewellery Martin’s own
For those who don’t know, please introduce us to yourself!
What’s up everybody. I’m Martin Myaka, I’m the Creative Director of “Martin Myaka” and I also model!
Where does your entrepreneurial spirit derive from?
My entrepreneurial spirit has always been there. I don’t really know what caused it, but it’s been like this ever since I was little. I used to buy packets of pencils and sell them individually to people at school for like a quarter. I’d always have my own money; nobody ever really knew where it came from. The idea of working in a corporate field never appealed to me, so I was always trying to find ways around that fate.
What are three things that you would like our readers to know?
1. My name isn’t “Lord” it’s just Martin.
2. No matter what your field is, it takes patience to get far. You get what you earn.
3. I’ve really been interested in acting for a while now and I’m starting to work on it more seriously now.
What has keeps you striving for success in such a saturated market?
This is a good question because I have to battle it within myself all the time. Especially with social media, it’s hard to not get discouraged looking at some people’s brands popping off. I try to just remind myself everyone comes from a different place and has a different path. Some people have the right friends, or grew up in the right place, or have a stronger platform, etc. I feel like that’s been the way my life has always been. I’ve never been welcomed with open arms into whatever it was I was trying to do.
I think things have worked out for me in the past because of my persistence and willing to work my ass off for it. So in this case with my brand, I don’t think I’ve earned it yet. I’m proud of myself and happy with the strides I’ve made, but I don’t think I deserve it yet. Keyword there is “yet”, believe me, I’m gonna earn it.
We saw that you launched some custom AF1s last year and this year you have come out with apparel! I can imagine that you had and still most likely have great prospects as well as plans for this year! With this being said, how are you adapting to this change as a model and now a business owner?
Yeah, so with this I think it’s just about having a positive attitude.
It’s easy to find the worst in situations, but it’s harder to find the good in them sometimes. In this case, for me, I like to see it as me having the remote control from the movie “click”. I kind of have the power to hit pause and just work on everything I need to get done whilst everyone else is stuck. I know that isn’t true but it’s been good for my mind because it feels like I’m not behind but I’m actually able to get ahead finally.
I have so much planned for this year but just like with anything else, you gotta be able to adjust and deal with the curve balls life throws at you. Overall I’m just doing my best, and my hope is that people will eventually see it without me having to explain anything. I’m in no rush, I’m moving at my speed, but I’m trying to make every single day a productive one so I’m always moving forward in the right direction.
