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

Hi Mikaela, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my success is my “why” some would classify their “why” as purpose or passion. I consider my “why” to be the very essence of my being. The moment I started to walk in alignment to what I’ve been created to do I became successful. I went through many phases throughout my creative career where I was trying to follow the mold and model of others. This left me unmotivated and uninspired to create and I found no success in it. I believe that success isn’t the overall goal but achieving a firm sense of identity and confidence in what one brings to a room, a business and ultimately to each other deems ones success.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I like to classify myself as an Anomaly : something different, abnormal, peculiar, or not easily classified, a deviation from the common rule : IRREGULARITY according to Websters dictionary. My aim is to push the boundaries of ones thinking, perspective and outlook on a very common society through unconventional means. “Mikaelawiththespecs” Is a play on the word PER{SPECT}IVE and in casting vision with the Lord and my creative team the word “Spec” stood out . Through research I discovered the word spec could mean specification or spectacles which means glasses. Interestingly enough my grandmother would always ask me to “pass her specs” to her as a kid and being that she is a Antiguan woman daunting a thick Caribbean accent I never adopted the word. But all these years later it spoke to me, many that know me or follow my socials know I wear a wide array of “frames/specs”. I took this and realized specs give me the ability to see clearly and to see from a perspective otherwise not accessible to me. In Isaiah 55:8-9 it reads “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. I realized that the One in whom created me and us all really is the epitome of what it means to be an anomaly. It was through this scripture and many more that propelled me to create in such a way that would challenge us to think deeper, usher us into a place of creativity and inspire us that God dreams don’t just reside in heaven they can be a reality. This is the essence of the art I create.

As an ambidextrous creative there isn’t really a sphere of creativity I don’t have a hand in. I am a Painter, Photographer & Podcaster as well as Singer, Writer and Spoken word artist. As of late my main focuses have been Spoken word, Music and Podcasting/Film. Im most excited about my latest project which is a collection of spoken word video peices that showcase some of my passion for fashion and styling. This project is a first of it kind and incorporates not just visual and audio but showcasing some of my cinematic style.

Ive learned a great deal on this journey, lessons that truly are invaluable and I desire to share with other creatives. When I first started out I struggled with consistency I was very sporadic with my content and just chalked it up to spontaneity. In reality I was unorganized and not very disciplined. Without these very simple yet vital principles my impact and influence was non existent. When I revamped my brand and podcast about two years ago I was extremely intentional. I did research and consulted a branding agent (Kaypesagency) I planned content in advance and even scheduled content to go live on its own. With these small yet major changes the quality of the content I was creating increased and I received far more engagement. These days Im willing to spend more time on the planning and vision casting aspect of my work to ensure optimal quality and remaining authentic to the art instead of falling into the industry mill of fast and trendy “content”.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Id start the day by heading over to Mokah Coffee & Tea for a morning beverage and a quick walkthrough the exhilarating art exhibit they have. Then I’d head over to some of my favorite vintage shops around town like Vagabond thrift in Dallas then heading over to Dead Wax Records and browse some records. For lunch we could head over to Taqueria La Ventana for some street tacos. For a desert and cool snack we’d head over to So Icy for a flavored water ice I recommend the mango flavor ten times over. For some uplifting music and time of refreshing we could stop b y UPPERROOM church for a worship and prayer set . That would be just a few spots id stop by around town but id be sure to add The Fort Worth Stockyards, Perot Museum and the Bishop Arts district.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would definitely attribute my success to a conglamorate of very important people in my life. I would definitely give the most credit if not all to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ . He is the one that blew his creative breath into my body and orchestrated my very thoughts to formulate the ideas and dreams I’ve been so blessed to help bring to life. I would also give acknowledge to my wonderful family for always pushing me to be the best that I could be and cultivating a culture of excellence in our home. I would love to give a shoutout to my church family back home in Florida they’ve always believed in me and I am eternally grateful. I am extremely grateful for the chosen family I have the honor of being apart of here in TX. I would pause here to emphasize the importance as a creative/business owner to have people to pray for you and with you along the process it has aided in majority of my success. Also I could not be as far as I am without the help of my Mercy Culture Church family and the AXL Creatives that have pushed me, prayed for me and has challenged me .

Website: https://linktr.ee/mikaelawiththespecs?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=eddf064d-04ed-46c3-8b38-bc59935907e4

Instagram: @Mikaelawiththespecs

Youtube: https://tr.ee/YMxuuBnFDh

Other: Tik tok https://www.tiktok.com/@mikaelawiththespecs?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Image Credits
I have the rights to all photos

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.