Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Sola Lambert.
Michael, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started from humble beginnings as the oldest of three brothers in Hartford, Connecticut. My mother is from Jamaica and has always worked hard to provide for my brothers and me when we were kids. We had a fire at our home and ended up homeless for a short time. This is when I stepped up and took care of my brothers while we lived in the shelter. My mother got an opportunity to relocate to Atlanta, GA, with her job at the time, and this would change my life forever. I graduated from high school and enlisted in the Navy, where I served honorably and traveled the world. The leadership and teamwork skills I learned built a foundation for me to become a boss. With this mentality, I decided to leave my military career behind and enroll in college. I chose Georgia State University and was accepted to begin my path to greatness.
As a student at GSU, I quickly became involved in student life and leadership and was given a job as the director of the concert. This job opened up some doors for me to work in radio, nightlife, and promotions. My inspiration is P.Diddy because he showed the world that you don’t have to settle for one field, but you can do as many projects as you like. This mentality has been the catalyst for many opportunities that I have had and have given to others. I started my first company, Sola Entertainment, which primarily produced events, parties, and concerts in and around Metro Atlanta. I was very successful in this company, but I felt like there was more I could do to unify the people that I spent so much time within the college. Blueprint Gear LLC is the newest company that I started where I intend to unify all GSU graduates through wearable affirmations. Phrases like, This is Sparta to Georgia State vs Everybody are just a couple of affirmations that will bring unity and pride to all who wear them. In addition, I have also started Boss-N-Up Consulting, where I will be helping people boss up in different areas of life such as professionally, personally, and physically just to name a few. My passion to help others fuels me to challenge myself to do more, serve more and be more than I thought that I could.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. I thought that if I did A and B, then I would get C. Instead, it was more of a zig-zag line at times, appearing to leave me out in the cold. I was a victim of police harassment and arrested for being a black man. I honestly feared for my life as the cops had their hands on their weapons, ready to pull them on me if I breathed the wrong way. This experience took the joy out of life and I ended up being diagnosed with PTSD. I lost my job due to Covid-19 and my stress and anxiety issues started to boil over.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Blueprint Gear LLC is a clothing and apparel company specializing in nostalgic vibes and positive affirmations. We are known for being leaders at our Alma Mater, Georgia State University, so we are creating those wearable affirmations and nostagic vibes for every GSU alum who wears one. I am most proud of how swiftly we have been able to go to the market and the amount of positive feedback and support that we’ve gotten. Now that we are in a pandemic, I understand people are very cautious with how they spend their hard-earned money and I am grateful they choose to support this brand. I would like your readers to know that this is a veteran black-owned business operating out of Atlanta GA. We represent graduates from one of the largest universities in the southeast who have had to deal with going into stores and not seeing our school being represented. That use to be a problem, until now. Join the Blueprint GSU family and visit us online at www.blueprintgearllc.com, sign up for our newsletter, and order your piece of G State history.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory was when my mother bought my brother and me matching Michael Jackson leather jackets and took us to a Michael Jackson concert! Nothing tops that!
Pricing:
- $40 Hoodies
- $30 Tshirts
- $15 iPhone Cases
- $30 Snapbacks
- $20 Youth and Children Clothing
Contact Info:
- Email: blueprintgsu@gmail.com
- Website: www.blueprintgearllc.com
- Instagram: blueprintgsu
Suggest a Story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
