Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicholas Mitchell.
Hi Nicholas, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Fresh Kickz Market was created in October 2019. One of my best friends, Jordan Johnson, and I were just leaving a SneakerCon event. The whole ride back from the event we talked about how we can create our own sneaker convention. How we would highlight all the great things about Atlanta and its impact on sneaker culture. We wanted to provide a true ATL experience! From music, food, art, and the energy of the city, Atlanta has it all. And we wanted it all in our event. From that point, we went to work and after numerous brainstorm meetings, Fresh Kickz Market was born. I’ve attended sneaker events for years and I’ve always wondered what it would take to put on my own sneaker event. The thought has always been in my mind, “I can make this happen.” I will admit to being naive in the beginning and thinking it would be easy, but that is far from the truth. I quickly realized what it would take to put on an event of this magnitude. I was blessed with the opportunity to work with an amazing team in our first event. Jordan Johnson and Samaiyah Melton are a big reason for the success of our first event and what would be the foundation of what Fresh Kickz Market is today.
In our first event we learned so much in quick amount of time. Every skill I learned as a Business major at LaGrange College came into effect. Networking, marketing, budgeting, logistics etc. We did it all! And we did it while still working our day jobs which is not an easy feat. Our first event, Fresh Kickz Market ’20, was a team effort and would not have been successful without all of us putting in the time and effort to see it through. After that experience, the future for the Fresh Kickz Market brand got brighter and brighter. The potential for what it could become was real and we began to build on the buzz we got from our debut event.
The connections we built after hosting FKM ‘20 has helped Fresh Kickz Market blossom into what it is today. We have hosted two sneaker events; Fresh Kickz Market ’20 and Fresh Kickz Market Vol. 2. We have also partnered and hosted two other events within the last two years; KickFlip ATL and Fresh Tabernacle. The brand has expanded into vintage culture by introducing Fresh Vintage Market in May 2021 and also launching our own FKM merchandise in September 2021. We have partnered with brands like CaniKickit, Empty Vintage, BonFireATL, Down Home Brewing, HipHop 95 Radio and more. We have also expanded our team by bringing on Troy Harris Jr. as our Creative Director. So much has happened in two years, it feels surreal. We are definitely blessed, and I look forward to taking this brand as far as we can go.
Our focus is always to build the brand through building connections in the sneaker community. That being said, our next event will be coming soon. We are in the early stages of planning, but I promise you this show will be epic! We want to extend a huge thank you to all the brands, performing artists, and food vendors who have participated in our events. We would not be here without you!
Fresh Kickz Market is growing more and more every day! Our goal is to make this experience nationwide one day and we are on track to making that happen. One quote comes to mind when I think of this journey, “Dreams don’t work, unless you do.” We are committed to putting in the work! The dream of Fresh Kickz Market will be a reality!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Entrepreneurship is never a smooth road. Getting the courage to get started is the most important part of the journey. In order to keep it going you have to believe in what you are doing and why you are doing it, so when obstacles come, you’re able to keep moving forward. Our struggles started at the beginning. Neither me nor my partner had any clue on how to host a sneaker convention. We had been to plenty of events in the city, so we had experience as guest, but we never knew what it took behind the scenes to put on this type of show. We were determined to make it happen though! Sneaker culture is a huge industry, but every city has an inner circle that represents the culture. Being the new brand on the block you can imagine we weren’t received with open arms immediately. We quickly found out the importance of networking and marketing our brand. We knew our concept was dope, but we had to gain the recognition of some of the gatekeepers to Atlanta culture first.
We started by teaming up with BonfireATL, one of the best party experiences the city has to offer. Their help with logistics, promotion, and setup was invaluable. Next we went live on air with HipHop95 radio and presented our event to the city. Getting the chance to talk about our event and give it some hype was amazing. Next, we had to tap in with the Atlanta sneaker culture. With help from Terry Tetris (CaniKickit Brand), TKO (Sneakers and a Fox), and Feetz (FeetznTreatz) our event gained the hype it needed to be a success. Sponsorship was our last hurdle. As you can imagine it takes money to host an event and while we were spending our own personal funds to make this happen, we knew we needed help to make this the best experience for our guests. Down Home Brewing Company, Georgia’s first African American brewer, was our first sponsor for FKM ’20. For them to believe in our vision and be a part of making this event possible was so special and we are forever grateful for their contribution.
Where we are today is built off of those struggles and how we made them winning situations for the brand. Any time you take on something new struggles are bound to come, but how you pivot out of those situations will be a testament to your success in the future.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Fresh Kickz Market is a brand that host sneaker conventions in Atlanta, GA. We were created in October 2019. Fresh Kickz Market has hosted 4 shows in the past 2 years and we are looking to continue by hosting more shows in the future. Our brand focuses on the essence of our city which involves combining the thriving cultures of food, music, art, and of course sneakers! Currently we are developing our own merchandise that is available for purchase on our website. Our vintage brand, Fresh Vintage Market, launched in May 2021 and also has designs and merchandise available for purchase. Fresh Kickz Market is looking to be a staple in the sneaker community for years to come!
What makes you happy?
Happiness is something I strive for on a daily basis. Being in a positive environment that allows for happiness to flow is key for me. Five things come to mind when I think about what makes me happy. Developing a closer connection with God, my family, my son, my friends and my insatiable drive to be successful all play key roles in making me happy. My faith in God was instilled at young age through going to church with my mother, Gale Brooks. Seeing her unwavering belief in God and what he can do in your life helped me build my own connection with him at a young age. No matter where I go, I know that I am blessed to experience the opportunities I get to enjoy.
My family is everything to me. I grew up in a single parent household, but it never felt that way because my family was always there for me. My mother is like a superhero in my eyes. Thinking about all the sacrifices she’s made for me in my life fuels the fire I have in me to one day make all of her dreams come true. Everyone in my family has played a role in who I am today. I’m truly blessed to be a part of my family and when I make them proud it brings so much joy to my heart.
The first day I laid eyes on my son I knew I wanted to give him everything. I was and still am on a mission to be the best father I can be. Some of the happiest moments I’ve experienced in my life, he’s been right there beside me and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
My inner circle of friends is more like my brothers at this point. I’ve met them all at different points in my life but through the years, the bonds I’ve created with them are priceless. I consider them family as well and when I win, we all win because I bring them in on anything I have going on.
My drive is a culmination of all these things. It makes me happy because I have purpose behind the reason I want to achieve so much in life. Without this purpose I don’t think I achieve half of my accomplishments. Purpose helps me continue on this journey and see it through.
I get my happiness by constantly surrounding myself with positive people and positive energy. I’ve been blessed to attract that into my life. With that energy and support system behind me I feel unstoppable.
Contact Info:
- Email: freshkickzmarket@yahoo.com
- Website: freshkickzmarket.store
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshkickzmarket/
Image Credits
@cclaydigital @osivisuals
