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

Hi Mace, career-wise, where do you want to be in the end?
The end goal is to attain financial freedom, health, happiness, and the ability to share the blessings. It’s early in my journey so I’m still figuring things out but I could see myself building a couple brands/businesses and being a resource in the entertainment-arts space. I just do whatever inspires me to stay on this earth, honestly. I have this belief that this whole thing is endless.

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.
I’m a hybrid between a creative and a businessman. Pretty underground right now, I don’t advertise my services at all, I’ve just been blessed with opportunities to exercise my skill set. I help creatives get their business straight and businesses get their creative straight, if that makes sense. I’ve managed some recording artists, helped with event curation, consulted small businesses, developed marketing strategies, etc. I got into what I’m doing now by doing a lot of free work to prove my value. I found that sometimes to do things you want to do in life you first have to do them for free. If you’re willing to couch hop to pursue your passions, you should do that. Money doesn’t motivate me so much as what I’m doing with my time. I used to have regular jobs like in the medical field, oil and gas, etc. but working for somebody just isn’t in me. I like to work with people and that distinction between ‘for’ and ‘with’ is very important. Maintaining a sense of humanity outside of a power structure is key.

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.
Ah man Houston is so big so there’s so many things to do and see but let me run y’all through a day real quick. Wake up, head to Memorial Park for a morning run. Not the usual loop, have to hit the biking trails for a more immersive experience. Afterwards, hit Snooze for breakfast, very consistent place. Then go downtown to grab some perso smoke from Gas Gods before heading to the museum district to get cultured from the fine arts, contemporary, and modern art museums. Feet are probably tired so then slide to the Toasted Coconut for lunch and drinks. I’d recommend the Mussels and Vamos a la Playa. Then from there I’d take some metro bikes to the Westheimer strip to show them the clothing shops and stop into Outlaw to lace them in quality streetwear. Bike back to the spot, chill. Go to dinner at Nobies since they change their menu everyday, it’s exciting. Then probably an underground event like Nights Like This, always good vibes and good people.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where I am without everyone I surround myself with so shoutout to the friends and family in my circle. I’m still not where I want to be, again y’all are early in my story, but I feel I’m on the right path to becoming someone that the young me would be proud of. Also, the book Flourish by Martin Seligman. I think that book is very slept on and could help a lot of people so go read that.

Instagram: @orangemace

Image Credits
Ian Stills Derrezzll

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.