Meet Jermone Sewire | Founder of Utopia Soles & Graphic Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jermone Sewire and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jermone, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
My surroundings as a kid pathed the way for me to be a creative. From the age of 7, my neighbor at the time had siblings who were all involved in creating something. His older brother was a barber who cut hair and puts designs in kids heads. His second oldest was a rapper and a producer, his mom could draw spider man with her eyes closed lol and my friend would create the designs for his older brother to sell to his barber brother’s clients. Because that was my best friend, I felt like family participating and watching these things develop from concept to real life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My journey to becoming a Research & Development Director began like most people that want to climb the professional ladder. I started green and very alert at chemical plants trying to get in where I fit in and make work friends. Quickly learned that some people don’t share knowledge to younger hungry and eager go getters. So I was shunned quickly looking for other ways of knowledge besides going to technical school because I had just graduated from the Art Institute of Houston a couple years before. Books weren’t giving me what I needed at the time so I decided to soak up most of the game by playing the quiet game.

Hanging around, eaves dropping then applying what I heard to books and google later at home. I felt like a kindergartener around teenagers. After applying what I would learn secretly I started to see the interest in my superiors. No favor from them yet but I could tell they knew I knew. After about a year, the BP Oil Spill in Texas City happened and I had to find alternative work to sustain my family because the oil and gas field ceased for a while. During this time I tried everything. I worked as a 911 dispatcher, freelance graphics for the yellow pages and non denominational churches, recording census statistics, and home depot in the paint department. I hated every last one of those jobs. A friend of a friend introduced me to the oil and gas field again but through a different lens. This is where I had to start all over again but not like before. I was surrounded by people that was willing to help which meant success was up to me. Year after year, promotion after promotion things began to look brighter. I couldn’t foresee R&D as my title but I needed to get somewhere comfortable after having prove myself year after year after year so that I can now work on myself and personal goals. Director by day and a creative by night. Helping others, teaching others and making others smile is ultimately my goal as an entrepreneur.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One of the biggest attractions in the city is Breakfast Klub for breakfast or brunch. Then we would rent a couple slingshots and bend some corners downtown listening to some H-Tine music. Possibly hit the Galleria to walk off that great breakfast and slide by Turkey Leg Hut afterwards to enjoy the vibes, food and drinks. If the Astros, Rockets or Texans are playing, its a must to attend. One of the best ways to haze someone into the Houston culture. And before leaving, I think increasing your adrenaline at Battlefield Houston Zombat Zone will complete the visit. Nothing beats a heart pumping game of laser tag to please the kid in you.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Erin Miller. I would be lying if I said his influence didn’t create an opportunity in my mind to be creative. I marveled at how dope he did everything. Like this kid cant miss. Basketball, best shooter and ball handler on the court. Football, swift and fastest on the field. School, best dressed. Always had the latest Jordans and at that time that was our idol. I didn’t get my first pair until 2000 but all of the 1990’s I lowkey envied having that first pair feeling for a while. The Eastbay magazine would come in the mail and we would go straight to the basketball section looking for the same shoes we saw Michael Jordan wear the night before. Then on release date somehow he had a persuasiveness that his parents would grab those kicks for him. I must suck at selling then lol. I just kept saying, “One day!!”

Instagram: @UtopiaSoles

Facebook: Utopia Soles

Youtube: Utopia Soles