Meet Michael Q. Yates Jr. | Book Author, Multimedia Professional, & Entreprenuer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Q. Yates Jr. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael Q., why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I did not choose an artistic or creative career, it’s just who I am. I remember having a guest speaker in class in high school who used to be a sports medicine doctor for the Atlanta Hawks and he made really good money and when asked why do you go around to different schools and give motivational speeches about life he replied, I had two choices in life work for a living or never work another day in my life. It was at that moment if ever in life that I realized as long as I do something that I love and comes to me naturally, I will never work a day in my life and if I do anything that doesn’t allow me to be creative or artistic that I will be miserable and have to work each day to earn a living in a state of sadness and misuse of what God gave me.

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.
What’s puts me in my own lane is that I’m not a Book Author, Rapper, Illustrator, Editor, Drone Pilot, Chef, Motivational Speaker, Producer, Fitness Trainer, Financial Advisor, Therapist, Mentor, Videographer, Graphic Designer, Barber, or Technology Specialist. I’m simply just a Creative Artist. When people get to know me personally or business wise they learn that I simply like to be a Jack of All Trades and Master at None. If i’ve mastered anything its always learning and taking on a new skill without losing the knowledge I already have in other fields. I absolutely love to teach and help others to the point that its therapeutic for me because nothing makes me happier than to see someone spark and take off after i’ve been able to coach something within them that they needed to come out to get to the next level. So in essence what set’s me apart is that I simply love people and however I can better myself to show that love and make life better for others I’m all for it.

Was it easy? To be a creative has always been easy for me. The only difficulty was maintaining my individuality when I was younger and not letting anyone change me. I remember doing things that people found unorthodox like singing and rapping on a song way back in 2002-2005 but look at what Drakes accomplished. To overcome it overtime I just had to learn to love myself more and be comfortable with being different and realizing that’s my very gift to the world. I should be different otherwise I’d just be a robot.

Lessons I’ve learned along the way that stick with me daily is that everyone who goes in the grocery store walks on an aisle with dozens of choices for the same thing just different brands so we as people need to help each other and utilize collective economics. There can be more than 10 choices of bread on an aisle and the customer will pick what they like. People like what they like and you can’t do anything to get likes. Its better to just be yourself and let people gravitate to your energy and uniqueness because I’d rather be hated for who I am than to be loved for who I’m not. In essence love yourself and be you.

What I want the world to know about me is that I am to inspire that person whether its a little boy or girl or someone much senior to me to never give up on their dreams and its ok to love yourself and want to be the best version of yourself. I want to encourage people to not be afraid to take educated risks in life and not be afraid to break generational curses because they can be whoever they choose to be but its going to require some effort that’s not the usual stance taken before. If I help save one life or change one life for the better by sharing my story then I feel my mission on earth was accomplished. That is what I stand for and that is what my brands stand for.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If we were in Atlanta, I’d take my friends to see a Falcons game. Fan or not, the Mercedes Benz Stadium is immaculate and its worth going to if even only once. If overseas I’d take them to Hong Kong, Tokyo, Brisbane Australia, and Singapore. It’s so important to see and experience the world. Eating authentic foods from the countries that specialize in those cuisines is second to none and so is seeing things only experienced on tv in person.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Listen, no one gets anything done by themselves. “No One” I’d be remiss if I did not recognize my Mother and Grandmother for doing a fine job in raising me to become the Man I am today. Individuals like my cousin Jacobe, David Leishear, Shawn Bradford, Charles Grady, Matt Medina, Edward Walker, Eulala White, Uncle Larry, Uncle Joseph, Rheno, and Chuck Johnson if I keep name dropping I’m going to fill this block because God put complete strangers in my life and made them family. In all honesty before I had a car or even my own place to stay. These individuals and so many more that I have to apologize to for not name dropping basically helped me get to this point whether it was helping me get my first LLC, home, vehicle, motivating me to stay in school, write down my life and thoughts into books and the list goes on; these amazing people played a part in it. I also can never understate how amazing God has been to me and without him none of this would be possible. None of it….

Website: www.krooapparel.com

Instagram: @therealslimbeatz

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-yates-mba-267354136/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmBQA8ULSWQ6T3robXN8mBA