We had the good fortune of connecting with Design James and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Design, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process was simple. To make the money I want to make to do for myself, my family, and the world that I want to do…only through my own business can I do that. Winning the lotto ain’t even enough after taxes lol. I knew I was creative enough to design my own brands. Brands that were my me, my race. Brands to disrupt and start new trends that were not only fashion forward but with a purely positive and inspiring message.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Astro Kicks and Goods is a brand that was formed be me from an idea given to me by Mr. Larry Roberts Jr. It started off as just one shoe design with some coordinating items for barbers to wear. So basically some comfortable yet stylish shoes that a barber and or anyone could stand in all day along with coordinating smock jacket, cape, and aprons to go along with. I simply put my creativity behind some references he gave me that he already enjoyed and made everything upscale and boom. I also made sure to make this brand to be able to be a standalone brand to not only rival the Footwear and apparel industry but take over. Thus Astro Kicks and Goods was born. We are 5,000 B.C. and Beyond and this is only the beginning. That quote features the year and period were the first hair service was documented. That’s when people started caring about their appearance and comfort. So AK&G is simply a continuation of the progress of enhancing one’s beauty through stylish footwear and apparel.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Wow. Honestly I’m still finding out. However we would hit Turkey leg Hut, if they like pork Triple J’s BBQ, my favorite taco truck Taco Laguna. I have a favorite burger spot in Katy called Roku Grill in Katy. We’d have to hit the Galleria mall. Check out Galveston and Moody Gardens. Then I like to move around. We’d hit up San Antonio eat at the tower of America, swing to Austin to eat at this Asian spot called 1618 Asian Fusion. Then visit Hamilton pool. Additionally we got to go to Dallas and hang out in north Dallas go shop at Art of Homage one of my favorite brands.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Jesus Christ my Lord and savior first and foremost. My wife LaVisha Mayers and family. My parents and friends also the many ministries and groups I’ve got to be apart of and play for as a musician. Who I’d like to highlight though is my current business partner and long time role model whom I got the opportunity to meet through a close friend Karlos Davis name Larry Roberts jr. He showed me that it was possible to be successful in multiple industries. Also how to dress and smell good lol. Go high-end on everything.
Website: Astrokicksandgoods.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/idesignjames
Facebook: Facebook.com/jamesmayersjr
Youtube: YouTube.com/astrokicksandgoods