18-year-old Myles Johnson finds success as CEO of I Am Inspirational Tie Clips

By Kristina Mitchell
Jan 13, 2017
1:29 pm

Photo credit: inspirationclip.com

In high school, Myles Johnson was known as the “President of Everything” and rightfully so as he was successfully involved in a plethora of activities. Instead of heading to a gym for basketball practice, or hitting the stage for a performance, or reporting to a courthouse for a criminal trial, he is on a mission to help young men envision themselves in a professional setting. With the help of his parents, Johnson is on a trajectory to surpass many millennials his age by the time he’s 25. From starting a cookie business at 14 to currently being the CEO of his very own clip tie business, Johnson is well on his way to reaching his goal of becoming a millionaire by the age of 30.

This Bowling Green University freshman’s goal is simple: to help his fellow young brothers define who they are by launching I Am Inspirational Tie Clips in 2016. The tie clips are labeled with affirmations such as “strong,” “relentless,” “original” and “fearless” to boost the confidence of the men who wear them. Johnson wants all men to believe they can overcome societal stereotypes.

Rolling out had a chance to chat with this millennial millionaire in the making:

Photo credit: inspirationclip.com

How does one become so successful at the age of 18? Tell Rolling out more about your background and your upbringing.

I’m from Lansing, Michigan. As a child my dad instilled in me being a business owner and my mom installed for me to be a good person overall — and being myself. And so with that combination I developed an entrepreneurial spirit. The summer of my freshman year, I started selling cookies at an airport, I would go around to employees and businesses selling cookies by myself. I had five different flavors, and I was booming! I had very good business. My dad was very proud of me. I did it again my sophomore year. People used to give me like tips, and that was my first part of my entrepreneurship. I believed he believed in me, that’s why he didn’t think twice about my ideas.

What are you majoring in at Bowling Green State University?

I am majoring in supply and chain management.

I read that your nickname in high school was “president of everything,” how did you earn that title? And what did it mean to you?

So, my junior in high school, I made the decision in my mind to be better because I felt like I was destined for more. This is a part of how I became successful. It was a change in my state of mind. I just believed that I could do more, so I just started watching videos on how to be more confident. I just became more confident, and when I went back to school, I had a mission that I was gonna do more in the school by being president. I was at every event, in every organization, here and there. I had met the principal of my school, I introduced myself to him as the ‘president of Sexton High School’. Then he asked “You’re the president of everything?” From then I just went with it. At senior awards, he referred [to me as] “Mr. Myles Johnson, president of everything.”

Tell us how did your idea for I Am Inspirational Tie Clips come about?

So I was in this entrepreneur program called the Michigan Chamber of Commerce for 30 weeks. In the beginning I was going to continue my cookie business. But, one day I was walking in downtown Lansing and I saw three men with simple all black suits. In my head I’m thinking “Why spend money on suits to look exactly the same?” I thought of a way to at least make one of them stand out. Going through a phase in my life where I dealt with low self esteem, I wanted to provide a way for other men to identify themselves and show their character to the world.

Out of all the businesses out there, why did you start a tie clip business instead of being a rapper, entertainer, actor, athlete, etc.?

That is an awesome question! I believe that I’m destined for greatness and the tie clip business is just my foundation. I like to inspire my generation with I am _ Inspirational tie clips. Reason I did this instead of rapping and other things is because I wanted to show the kids in my high school that you don’t have to rap, you don’t have to entertain people to be successful. In high school, I dressed up in ties in dress shoes everyday to be an example to the black community that you don’t have to use your physical body to be somebody in life.

Since most young men your age aren’t really business-oriented, they may not understand the concept behind your business idea. How do you feel about this?

I went through that as a child because people used to call me weird. I was cool with the ‘cool kids’ or whatever but I would also hang out out with the ‘weird kids. Then as I went through the transition of being in-confident, I had to understand I had to be me at all times regardless of what anybody else thinks. Myles is going to be Myles.

What is your ultimate goal for your tie clips?

I eventually want to take out the ‘inspirational tie clips’ part because the statement ‘I am’ is so powerful. I’m aiming to do dress shirts, ties, anything within the professional realm. These tie clips should be in the workplace because they allow employees to stand out and be heard at work. Instead of looking like everybody else, you can stand out in a subtle way.

How do you think your clips ties will increase the confidence of the man who wears them?

That’s a big part of it too — the motivation from the words. I want everybody to understand the tag “define who you are.” Anyone that has the clips should understand and live by the words or get inspired by the words. If you have ‘strong’ on your chest and you’re not strong, it does not match. It kind of like motivates you to be that way.

What are your future business and personal goals?

As far as my business, I plan to expand with clothing and money clips and female products. As far as myself, I’m trying to work my way into real estate investing and in the process accumulate wealth and teach other men how to accumulate wealth. In five years I hope to establish a scholarship program at my old high school. In 10 years, I plan to open a community center as well.

Where can our readers find you?

Twitter @Mylesjohnson20, @FireClips, Instagram @inspirationclips, and www.inspirationclip.com.