A FUNKY LETTER TO THE AMERICAN HUSTLE & THE ART OF HUSTLE

Inspiration for creatives.

"Hopefully there’s kind of a throwback New York spirit that people can connect with. We want young people, young entrepreneurs, to connect with it and feel it reflects their experience. I grew up in Yorkville, which I sometimes call the slums of the Upper East Side — a very nice middle-class neighborhood." - Ian Edelman creator of HOW TO MAKE IT IN AMERICA.

Photo by HBO

On our A.R.T.S.Y weekend must watch, we mentioned to binge the astounding show How To Make It In America, many people thought that it was not this great show at the time that it came out. But for the thriving entrepreneurs who started building their companies around that era learned a lot from the show. Especially being from New York City, knowing the hustle, working that 9-5 job and still trying to network and build a company. Granted it is the most daunting and excruciating thing for anyone, New York City is tough. It's called the concrete jungle for a reason; watching Ben and Cam chase after this dream of building their denim company brought sweet nostalgia.  To imagine when I first saw the show in 2010, I was preparing to take my MCATS, no clue that I would eventually be just like them running around making meetings, forcing my company on to people at random events trying to make it into something great.

10yrs later I see so many more creative self-starters, grinding not only in NY but all over the world, it’s an epidemic. And for those who may not have this thing figured out and need some source of inspiration, you've stumbled on to the right page.

DON’T LISTEN TO THE OUTSIDE NOISE

When the guys got a meeting with this Jean company; and the guy started telling them how difficult it is to start that type of company off the ground. They ignored his naysaying; it's important to disregard unsupportive, rational people like that while trying to make major moves in life.

" THERE IS NO WRONG OR RIGHT WAY TO SUCCEED IN LIFE"

Sometimes you have to be ruthless, when necessary. Not saying to go out and do things that will mess with your integrity, however, when it comes to business it's important to make sure you're not focusing on being looked at as a "bad guy" but make the proper decisions for the long run.

BE HONEST

Early in the season, Cam is attempting to unload skateboard decks depicting a once-promising, now-crazy local skateboarding legend Wilfredo Gomez onto some prep-school kids. When his original spiel fails, Cam exasperatingly tells the kids that Gomez has lost his mind, at which point they buy out his stock. Try the truth. It just sounds better.