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

Hi Vernado, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I wanted to start because I was tired of working for anyone lol. I was taught at an early age to be a independent person from my mother and father so it started from there. I didn’t know what I wanted to do in terms of what kind of business I wanted to start until I graduated college. I received a degree in graphic design and multimedia from Westwood College in Houston Texas around 2010. I wanted to work for a graphic company but couldn’t get a job lol. So I decided to take my graphic and put them on a shirt and I went from there.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is a representation of how I present my self to the world. It’s all positive and uplifting art. I’ve always was creative I remember sitting at the dinner table in 1993 drawing anything and everything I could so I’ve always had a passion. The tshirt company I have I really was learning on the fly. The hardest thing was grasping how to make my art on item. So I tried a lot of options but one stuck out the most, screen printing. The first time I saw someone do it I wanted the skill for myself so I worked really, really and saved up for my first printing kit. I literally tried for years and years to perfect it and now it’s second nature to me. I had no help I was messing up over and over i wanted to quit but I knew if I got it down it would separate me from the competition. I’ve learned if you really want it try if you fail try again, I know it sound cliche but it’s the truth. Hard work pays off if you want it to.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well I’m from New Orleans so I love to eat lol so we would check out a few restaurants in Dallas or Arlington area there plenty to choice from. I think Dallas has a lot of bars where we can hang and watch the game, play pool etc. I’ve always want to rent a boat and go fishing in one or two of the awesome lakes they have here or go hunting lol. I would also check out a ball game at the stadium even though I’m a Saints fan.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First God, because without him I would have nothing in life. Next parents, Mother Janice and Father Vernado for rising me and my sister Angela and Valencia to be the people we are today. After that I would say myself for being self motivated and undeterred by the negative things around me. I worked hard to be where I am today, from washing dishes to braking my back doing hard labor in warehouses. I dont think a lot of people have my kind of mindset so I’m pleased that I do.

Instagram: @MIXNMEDIA

Facebook: @MIXNMEDIA

Youtube: @MIXNMEDIA

Other: Email. MIXNMEDIA00@GMAIL.COM

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.