Meet Nick Mitchell | Entrepreneur

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

Hi Nick, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve always been the idea guy. Since I was little I would come up with different ideas of how to build a business that makes money so that I can get all the things I want. I guess you can say I was the dreamer. This is how Fresh Kickz Market was born. It started with an idea that turned into a dream, but in order for that dream to become reality it took execution. Starting your own business can seem like such a daunting task in the beginning. The hardest part of the process is starting. Taking that first step is terrifying because you’re literally betting on yourself. It’s one of the scariest feelings in the world, but if you can conquer your fear then you find out what you’re truly able to accomplish. It’s like putting a puzzle together. Your dream is a box pieces and you’re trying to put it together to see the final product. You have the vision in your mind but you have to put the pieces together to see it in real life. My first puzzle piece started with a green notebook and on the first page were ten names that I would possibly call my event. I took those ten names and ran a poll asking everyone in my circle to tell me which name resonated with them the most. Fresh Kickz Market rose to the top. With the first puzzle piece down we kept building and If you ever constructed a puzzle then you know that one piece can lead to another. This concept is the same for starting a business. Each piece you add to your business leads to your next piece. Currently, Fresh Kickz Market has had 3 successful shows, multiple partnerships/sponsorships, and a merch line. But it all started with the first puzzle piece. The process behind starting my business started with the mindset that I was willing to put the pieces together until I saw my vision to come to life. I am currently adding more pieces everyday and I am excited to see the vision continue to take form.

What should our readers know about your business?
Fresh Kickz Market is a sneaker buy/sell/trade event in Atlanta, GA. My friend and I, Jordan Johnson, started this event in October 2019 and since then I have grown this brand through 3 successful events and a merch line launch. We built this brand on the concept of providing a true experience to anyone who attends the event. We wanted it to be an event that anyone in the community whether you’re a sneaker head or not could enjoy. Sometimes sneaker events can seem transactional and closed off to only those who are a part of the sneaker culture. Fresh Kickz Market allows everyone to enjoy sneaker culture and get a great community experience as well. At this point, I’m the most proud of the fact that we are still just getting started. We’ve accomplished so much in two years, but the best part is we’ve only scratched the surface. The potential this brand has grow is exponential and I can’t wait to see that vision come to fruition. The path to getting to this point has not been easy. Entrepreneurship will test every part of you and if you aren’t willing to accept the challenges then you will most likely stop along the way. In this process you will experience every emotion, but the way to overcome that roller coaster is the refusal to quit. The refusal to allow one closed to door to stop you from getting to the next open door. That has always been my mentality and that’s why I continue to see success in how my brand is growing. The lessons I’ve learned on this journey boil down to two words patience and discipline. As an entrepreneur I can see the vision in my mind clear as day, but to quote the late Nipsey Hussle, it’s a marathon. In a marathon you have to have patience in knowing that you will reach the destination. You can’t see every obstacle that you may face, but the ones you have overcome before have prepared you for the obstacles to come. Discipline is a necessity to run this marathon. You won’t always have the motivation, the confidence, or even the drive to keep moving forward some days. But if you’re disciplined then in those moments you will still find ways to reach the feeling of seeing your dream become a reality. What I want the world know about my brand is that it’s possible. Anything is possible that you put your mind and your effort into. Fresh Kickz Market is a product of me putting my time and effort into it and anyone can do the same.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is very interesting question for me. Atlanta has so many events, restaurants, and attractions that you could literally explore all year. We could definitely find a different place to eat every day. Since Atlanta is the capital for wings I’m sure we would have that at least 3 days out of the week. I’m a huge basketball fan so we would definitely go checkout a Hawks game if they are in town. Next we would take a day and go to Six Flags so we can ride everything in the park and yes I’m sitting in the front row on all the roller coasters. Knowing my friends, we will definitely be hitting the night scene, so any lounge, club, or bar is in the cards. By that point we should be exhausted and recovering until they go home, then its back to the grind!

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?
The success of Fresh Kickz Market can be attributed to so many different people. I’ve been blessed to have a circle of friends and family that believe in my vision and are willing to help however they can. My mother, Gale Brooks, is the first person I would like to thank for my success. She has always given her time and effort to all of my dreams and I pray that one day I’m able to repay her for the support she has given me throughout my life. My friend, Jordan Johnson, was there with me in the beginning and helped make Fresh Kickz Market possible when it was just an idea. Next, I would thank Samaiyah Melton for her expertise and taking our brand to the next level on social media and event sponsorship. The best thing about becoming an entrepreneur is that you meet other great entrepreneurs that become partners and more importantly close friends. These close friends include Troy Harris Jr. (Empty Vintage), Terry Francis (CaniKickit Brand), and Mike Baker (CaniKickit Brand). The advice and experiences I’ve gained from them have been invaluable and I can truly say that Fresh Kickz Market wouldn’t be what it is today without them. There’s so many other names that I can include from friends to family and I would like to say thank you to anyone else who has been apart of Fresh Kickz Market, whether big or small. Last but not least, I would like to give a shoutout to all the brands, vendors, and businesses that have been a part of any Fresh Kickz event. Without them there is no show and I want to make sure they know that they are greatly appreciated.

Website: www.freshkickzmarket.store

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshkickzmarket/

Image Credits
Jerrod Howard @osivisuals