Meet Javaris Stevenson | Creative Director, Founder of Weird&OK

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

Hi Javaris, how do you think about risk?
One of my favorite subjects is risk taking. I’ve been taking risks since the 5th grade when I started my own step team in elementary. So, it’s embedded in my blood. Making tough decisions based on the hope that gravity holds you when you jump is mentally and physically gratifying. And I mean both the scary and rewarding sides. Taking risks have shaped how I move forward in life. It’s why I failed and succeed. Fear holds so many people from being great or finding their true calling. As much as I can speak and write on this topic, my best advice is that taking risks lead gave me my greatest weapons, confidence, clarity and a career.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is Weird&OK a community and product based brand that creates experiences, apparel and media for the world’s most peculiar people. Meaning, those who need a place and space to be themselves without worry or self-doubt. At first it was tough to nail a profitable concept on the basis of self-love/acceptance and belonging. I started this brand because people started replacing my name with weird(o) when approaching me. I used to hate that word until I started loving myself and all that comes with me.

Originally just a t-shirt brand for self-expression (of which sold out the first summer) over the course of 2 years I realized I was being lazy with my thinking. And from there I started asking tougher questions. Started do more research. And what i concluded was everyone and their mother are starting t-shirt brands. Weird&OK was more than just that. It was a culture, a movement, a family.

Just recently after 4 years have I become confident in the product. One of my most proud lessons is that we build at the pace that makes since for us. Move slowly, but don’t quit. Add people to your circle who will push it as much as you do. And that business partners are always financial investors. They could be time investors and resources pluggers.

I still do this after working a full-time job (check out my podcast, After My Day Job where I document building a brand with a day job). At the end of the day I just want people to have more spaces/experiences, media content, and products where they belong and feel proud.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
OK. So when I am in Dallas, as I’m back and forth between New York and someone comes to visit I set up the entire experience. Mostly nightlife. I actually am going to copy and paste the text I just sent a friend looking to get out in the city.

Start you night at Hardwood Tavern (especially on a Friday night for my favorite Karaoke) where you’ll have the best bartenders, meet the best locals and have my favorite lemon pepper chicken wings and homemade blue cheese.

Looking for a good cocktail go to The Adolphus hotel bar, the Exchange foodhall has a really cool upstairs bar and The National and The Mitchell.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wish I could name them all, friends and family are are the root of my success and self-being. They deserve all of the praise. And I’m not talking about the distant friends who comment and like your social posts. I’m speaking on the very few who listen to my ideas, challenge me to be better, funded my first few struggling months in NYC and are still by my side. Those people… they deserve all of the credit. Thank you.

Website: www.weirdandok.com

Instagram: Weirdandok

Other: @thatsjavaris personal instragram

Image Credits
Makenzie Thomas – The Voice John Givez