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

Hi E. Mack, is there something you believe many others might not?
You see this all the time on social media, “quit your 9 to 5 and start your business.” But is that always the best decision? Probably not. Entrepreneurship is full of dull, sad and scary moments. Quitting your job without a plan will definitely add to your stress level. I’m not saying you should stay at your crappy job and not pursue your dreams; I’m simply saying be smart before leaving. Plan, Plan, Plan! No, it’s not going to be easy to work for someone else and yourself at the same time. Stack your money from your other job. Put that money in your business. When your girlfriends call you for brunch and drinks, eat before you leave home. Do whatever you need to do to save your coins, then put that money in your business. If you stay focused, you’ll be able to quit your job with savings money in the bank and a new business. If we don’t teach the truth, there are going to be a lot of misled dreamers and aspiring-entrepreneurs buying into this false reality of what it takes to run a business. It takes money, to make money.

What should our readers know about your business?
The Focused Lifestyle was created during the mist of the pandemic and at a time when the country was dealing with social unjust, high unemployment and Covid-19. We needed an apparel brand that spoke motivational and positive energy into the world. Our first hoodie was Focused-No distractions. When people saw our hoodies and t-shirts, it resonated with them immediately. Despite everything that’s going on, when you’re focused ANYTHING is possible. You can’t let what’s going on in this crazy world distract you from accomplishing your goals. Whether you’re starting a business, scoring a touch down or studying for your test, being focused is a requirement. We create motivational messages for an unapologetic, fierce community. Our messages are empowering and evoke change. Our apparel is your daily reminder to be focused while being your authentic self.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m actually born and raised in Atlanta. Many of us don’t exist anymore, but I love my city which commonly nicknamed “The Black Mecca”. It didn’t get that name by coincidence either. What better place to explore into African-American heritage than the Mecca of the Civil Rights Movement? Your first stop in Atlanta is our most talked about black historic neighborhoods like Summerhill, The West End, Downtown Atlanta, Old 4th Ward and the Historic Sweet Auburn Ave District. Here you will find many black owned businesses and restaurants. Two of my favorite restaurants in the West End are Slutty Vegan and Local Green Atlanta. Both are healthy yet finger licking good!

During your time in Atlanta, we must visit the many civil rights landmarks such as the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park and Ebenezer Baptist Church. Along the way, we would stop by groundbreaking HBCU’s and of course Tyler Perry Studios.
If that’s not enough we can travel over to Krog Street Market, Ponce City Market and Atlantic Station where you can shop, drink and eat at any of the delicious restaurants. When you’re fully rested and ready to take a walk, we’ll stroll on the Atlanta Beltline where you can sightsee and enjoy my favorite popsicles, King of Pops.
Brunch is a thing in Atlanta. The ladies get dressed to impress just to sip on mimosas and enjoy French toast. It’s part of the culture. Breakfast at Ms. Icey’s, Negril Atlanta or Atlanta Breakfast Club are never a disappointment. The vibe is perfect with good food and music.
Ending your trip at Boogalou Lounge and Red Phone Booth is a must. Both are different, yet they give unique peek inside to the nightlife of Atlanta.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A huge shoutout to all the teachers all over the world. Teaching through Zoom, loosing internet connections and not being able to hug and see our students during the pandemic was a huge challenge yet we did it with a smile. Many teachers, like myself, worked endless hours to communicate with parents and made sure students still had a fun and engaging learning space to grow and connect with friends. Many families finally realized that teaching is much more than just the summers off, our hard work gives students a possibility for a better future.

Website: thefocusedlifestyle.com

Instagram: @thefocusedlifestyle

Facebook: The Focused Lifestyle

Image Credits
No credit at this time

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta 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.