Good morning! Today I bring the talented accessory designer, Yokoo, based out of Atlanta Georgia. Hope you enjoy reading this interview as much as I did.
Good morning! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Yokoo, and I make things. Some of these things are small, some of these things are big. All of these things share great meaning in that they are all made by hand. My hands are swollen right now, which makes it harder for me to drink my tea in the morning. This tea contains nine bags of raw sugar. This sugar allows me to dream. I dream of what is missing in the world. This inspires me to make more things.
So how did you get your business started?
It all started with a birthday gift for a loved one. I always thought buying gifts for holidays were lame. In fact I still do. I don’t partake in most holidays, so I get way to excited for the ones I do celebrate.
So excited I was one year that I decided to make a road to the moon. This road was part acrylic, and was to be worn on ones neck in public without crying. Everyone who wore it in public cried because it was in fact a road. So , I said, “fine! give me the stupid road, I’ll wear it!” I wore it in public, and I cried.
The only thing left to do was to give it away to someone online. Someone got it; and wore it; and told me the this was not at all a knitted road, it was in fact a scarf and it made them laugh.
Where did the original name, Yokoo, originate from?
I had fallen in love with my freshmen college english professor, and he had decided to give me a Y for my birthday. It was wonderful. The next day I broke up with him. The three “O”s were not always so cute. They actually started out as Zero’s. When I found them there rather humble little things. They used to tell me how they were all going to be big, big movie stars one day. I told them, “if they wanted to be movie stars then they had better change their names, because no one would ever give an Oscar to someone named Zero.” Finally, they agreed and decided to call themselves Oscars. I told that was just plain stupid, and then they settled on just “O.” Oh, and I fell in love with K because she can cook. But don’t tell her that because she’s really sensitive.
What is a typical work day for you?
Well, if you never seen the ABC, serial drama, Lost, by season three, a bulgerly, baldheaded man has reconciled a hidden celestial force on. Well, where at once I was free to spend my days bouncing in the sun at the whim of whoever needed me, I now begin to sweat at the moment I am more than two blocks away from my computer. I start sweating and looking disillusioned like I’m about to fade into thin air. Its nerve-wracking.
How would you describe your style?
I would like to think of my style as Diane Keaton meets Denise Huxtable on a shadowy backstreet in Hackensack. They had never known of one another, but became the best of friends.
What are you best selling designs?
Oh that’s a good question. the chains sell rather well. And of course the warmers sell well.
Do you have any business advice for us?
Unless your picking pockets, try to think bigger than surviving just for the moment. Think in broad terms. Never sell your soul. Be patient. Give me five.
What are your favorite blogs?
Man, blogs are taking up more and more of time. Where at once they were a way to stay abreast, now there like unfinished homework. I am addicted to them all, but the ones I enjoy the most are The Dwell Blog , and Garance Dore.
Thanks Yokoo for sharing your witty self with us. Surely it was a pleasure!
Where else you can find Yokoo.
Shop
Flickr
Blog
Twitter
Storytelling for Creative Biz Success
Business Growth Coaching
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