Music City, TN June 2026

Design Matters

The Legacy of A Good Man

I live in a world of girls! I work with women entrepreneurs on a daily basis. I come from a family filled with strong, independent women. I have two daughters, three nieces, sisters-in-law, one sister, and a mother and mother-in-law whom I adore more than anything. Even my dog is female! To say the least… the estrogen is flowing. And honestly, what a gift it is to be connected to such a strong lineage of incredible women. [Sorry—I got distracted… this is our men’s issue, I promise.]

All of that to say… the men are few and far between in my family, but what a steady presence they carry among the bunch. The good ones are legacy builders, safe spaces, visionaries, and often the grounding that helps keep a family strong. I’ve come to realize that the quiet consistency of a good man can shape generations in ways we don’t always recognize in the moment.

I was fortunate to be raised by a father who loved out loud and remains someone I still turn to daily. As a child, I could never have understood how deeply that relationship would shape me as an adult.

That example gave me a clear understanding of the kind of character, integrity, and steadiness I hoped to find in a husband someday. And now, watching my daughters—and our son, arriving in just two months—grow up with that same example in front of them feels especially meaningful. A father’s love, dedication, and integrity leave a legacy long after the everyday moments have passed.

I believe this issue is one of our most dynamic issues! It shows how today’s modern man can be all of these foundational things in our culture, but still chase dreams, explore creativity, and reinvent themselves over and over again.

Happy Father’s Day to all of the great men who are leading those around them every single day; whether it be their families, employees, co-workers, friends, and beyond!

KAT SEATON GIARRATANO, PUBLISHER @MUSICCITY.CITYLIFESTYLE

June 2026

PUBLISHER

Kat Seaton Giarratano | kat.seaton@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Morgan Raum | morgan.raum@citylifestyle.com

Kali McNutt | kali.mcnutt@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Matt Giarratano | matt.giarratano@citylifestyle.com

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford

LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle

3:5-6

scene

Grooming supplies

WHERE NASHVILLE COMES TO SMILE

CHORD Real Estate Elevates the Modern Home Search

CHORD Real Estate is redefining the home search experience with a new AI-powered platform developed alongside  Lab378. Designed to move beyond traditional real estate filters, the technology uses AI image analysis and lifestyle mapping to help buyers find homes based on how they truly want to live. From nearby schools and restaurants to neighborhood feel and daily routines, the platform delivers a more personalized, intuitive approach to home discovery while maintaining CHORD’s high-touch, advisory-driven client experience. @chordrealestate

Nashville Opera Announces the 2026- 27 Season

Nashville Opera opens its new season this fall with three distinct productions: Puccini’s  Tosca (October 8 & 10), the comic-book-inspired  Fortuna the Time Bender vs. The Schoolgirls of Doom (November 13–15), and Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro (April 15 & 17). From political drama to superhero satire and classic romance, each production offers a unique experience performed live by worldclass artists. Season subscriptions are available now and include free parking and exclusive member events. Get your tickets at nashvilleopera.org!

The Future of Skin Rejuvenation At The Aesthetics Club

The Aesthetics Club Nashville is expanding its advanced skin treatment offerings with the launch of Glimpse Skin Analysis, TORO IPL + Tattoo Removal, and Everesse Skin Tightening. These cutting-edge technologies support personalized, results-driven treatments designed to improve skin health, target pigmentation, stimulate collagen production, and support overall skin rejuvenation. All services are performed by Advanced Practitioners. Complimentary consultations and analysis are available for new and existing clients. Inquire more at theaestheticsclubnashville.com/book!

Meet The Brokerage Pilates | A Contemporary Reformer and Mat Studio

The Brokerage Pilates is a modern studio offering reformer, mat, and hybrid classes centered on intentional, athletic movement. Built on the belief that you are your greatest asset with a strong focus on strength, form, consistency, and community. The studio will host an ACE Grip Socks collaboration on June 6, an Uncommon James pop-up on June 20, “Pilates With a Purpose” on June 27, and a members-only event at Riviom Retreat on June 28. Follow along at @thebrokeragepilates

If You Need Somebody, Say So

Dan + Shay’s Newest Single Raises Awareness For Mental Heath

ARTICLE BY MORGAN RAUM | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBBY KLEIN

Powerhouse country music duo Dan + Shay are no strangers to crafting lyrics that are equally as vulnerable as they are unforgettable—and their latest release, “Say So,” further solidifies their ability to pair emotional depth with undeniably powerful storytelling.

After gaining instant success upon releasing their debut single, “19 You + Me,” in 2013, the pair toured internationally, earned Grammy-winning recognition, and earned their slot as one of Country music’s most successful crossover acts. With six studio albums under their belt, and more new music on the way, Dan + Shay have built a catalog of songs that detail heartbreak, falling in love, and the kind of life moments that feel both deeply personal and universally relatable. “Say So” is the first release in a stream of new music from the three-time Grammy Award-winning global superstars, and it was written to spark conversations surrounding mental health and suicide prevention. The ballad—which they share is

the most important release of their career, so far—is raw, honest, and sheds light on a topic so important.

“This song is a true story about a friend who we lost not long ago, and we hope it offers strength and encouragement to anyone going  through a tough time. The subject matter is heavy, it is serious, it is timely, and it is something we feel is important to talk about.”

Written by Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Jimmy Robbins, and David Hodges, and co-produced by Smyers and Scott Hendricks, “Say So” encourages anyone who may be struggling with their mental health to reach out for help and to remember they are never alone while fighting their silent battles. The powerful music video, conceptualized and directed by the duo’s Dan Smyers, delivers a visually compelling narrative that invites viewers to reflect, connect, and respond in their own personal way. Shortly after the release of the song and accompanying video, banners inspired

by its imagery began appearing across Nashville, further amplifying the project’s message beyond the screen.

“Music is a powerful thing, and we believe that these words can offer strength and comfort to anyone who might be struggling,” they share. “Remember, no matter what you are going through, you don't have to go through it alone. And if you need somebody, say so.”

We can all play a role in saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by mental health struggles. You can learn more about support resources at  The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (afsp.org).

If you or a loved one is in crisis, please call or text 988 for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741 to talk to someone who can help.

For more information on Dan + Shay and to keep an eye out for new music, visit their socials @danandshay or their website danandshay.com

The New Blueprint of Modern Entrepreneurship

Photographer: JT Morin

From creators to disruptors—how Nashville's modern men are defining what success means.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KHAKI BEDFORD, JT MORIN, RYAN HAMBLIN, LINDSEY MCALISTER, ADAM SANNER

THE CREATIVE

JT MORIN | SENIOR DESIGNER, PHOTOGRAPHER + CONTENT CREATOR

1. How do you balance creativity with the pressure to monetize everything?

By being delusional enough to believe that what you're creating is of the highest value.  Not everyone is going to value your work, and that's okay! If everyone valued what you were creating, your work would be diluted. When you're in such alignment with the creative direction and the value, you're free to work without that pressure.

2. What part of your work feels most personal to you?

In the creative world there's all these terms like "creative asset" and "deliverables", "allocations".  Who cares! The best feeling is when you can hold something that you did, something that wasn't in existence before you came along to create it.

3. In a world full of trends, how do you protect originality?

The biggest thing I've learned from being in a creative business for so many years is that there actually aren't any original ideas, and that isn't a new notion, that's been said for years. There are authentic and inauthentic ideas, and I think that's where you go when you want to protect something original.  What feels authentic to me, to who I am, where I come from and the experiences I've had so far.   @jt.morin

THE GAME CHANGER

LANDEN ARNOLD | DESIGNER + FOUNDER OF POPLAR POINT

Photographer: Khaki Bedford

1. What industry rule did you intentionally ignore when building your business?

Traditionally, many businesses begin online and later expand into a brick-and-mortar space. We chose to approach it differently by opening our physical store first and then building our online presence.

Starting with a storefront allowed us to really understand Nashville — the people, their style, what they’re drawn to, and what they’re actually looking for. Instead of assuming what the city needed, we were able to listen first. That helped us curate products and build a brand that feels genuinely connected to the city and the community around us.

2. What’s something people misunderstood about your vision early on?

People often misunderstood our commitment to slow fashion, sustainability, and stewardship. In an industry driven by fast fashion and constantly chasing trends, we’ve intentionally chosen a more curated and thoughtful approach. It’s incredibly difficult as a small business to stay true to those values, especially when faster and cheaper options dominate the market. But those principles are at the core of Poplar Point. Because of that, we’ve been intentional about partnering with brands that share the same vision and standards we do. We want to build a business and carry products that we can genuinely stand behind.

3. Where do you think entrepreneurship is headed in the next 5 years?

I see a lot of similarities between entrepreneurship and farming or manual labor, especially when it comes to mom and pop shops. There’s a level of risk, grit, and personal investment that comes with building something from the ground up.

Right now, the U.S. in general has made it incredibly difficult for people to go out on their own and put their life savings on the line to start a business. I do worry about this generation and the next, and whether they’ll feel willing or able to take those kinds of risks.

At the same time, I’m really excited by what I’m seeing from younger designers, makers, and business owners who are breaking out of the mold that was created before us. The next generation is recognizing the importance of returning to more organic, ethical, and community centered ways of building businesses.

@poplarpointnashville

1. What's the biggest risk you've taken in your career, and was it worth it?

The most recent project on Long Avenue stands out, as it was the largest personal capital investment I'd ever put into a single build. There was real weight to that decision, but I believed in the vision and trusted what we could deliver on that lot. The whole team working on this was incredible. Watching it come together exactly as I'd hoped and then sell within the first 24 hours on the market made every bit of that risk worth it.

2. How do you know when a risk is worth betting on vs. walking away from?

For me, it comes down to trusting my instincts and being willing to bet on my own work ethic. I've learned that if I'm fully committed to seeing something through, I'll find a way to make it happen no matter what. That trust in myself has been built from my years of experience, through years of running a business and learning from both the wins and the harder lessons.

3. Do you think entrepreneurship naturally requires a certain level of fearlessness?

I do think there's a certain wiring that lends itself to this path. A lot of entrepreneurs I know grew up navigating some level of chaos, which teaches you early how to stay flexible when the goal posts move, and in this business they're always moving, often because I'm the one moving them. It takes a willingness to embrace change rather than resist it, and I think some of that just has to live in you.

“Entrepreneurship requires a willingness to embrace change rather than resist it.” “

@lotusbuildinggroup

THE RISK TAKER

KEEGAN FIORAVANTI | FOUNDER + CEO, LOTUS BUILDING GROUP

Photographer: Ryan Hamblin

Photographer: Lindsey McAlister

THE BUILDER

TYLER KING | FOUNDER & OWNER, TASTIFY

1. What was the moment you realized working for someone else would never fulfill you?

I think it was less of a single moment and more a growing realization. I worked in restaurants and corporate food service for years, and while I learned a lot, I always felt boxed in creatively. Hospitality is deeply personal to me — I care about the details, the feeling people leave with, the atmosphere around food — and I realized I wanted the freedom to build something where every part of the experience reflected that vision. Eventually, the idea of building my own thing became less scary than the idea of spending my life building someone else’s.

2. What did the early version of success look like to you — and how has that definition changed?

Early on, success looked like growth, recognition, packed calendars, and proving I could build a real business from nothing. I was very focused on momentum and validation. Now, success looks a lot more balanced. It’s building something sustainable,

creating opportunities for other people, protecting my health and relationships, and building a company that people genuinely trust. I still care deeply about ambition and growth, but I’ve learned that success without peace or fulfillment catches up to you eventually.

3. What sacrifice did entrepreneurship demand from you that nobody warned you about?

The emotional weight of it. People talk about the long hours and financial risk, but they don’t talk enough about the constant mental load. When you own a business, it follows you everywhere — your mind is always solving problems, protecting the company, thinking about employees, clients, cash flow, reputation, all of it. There’s also a loneliness to leadership at times. But I think entrepreneurship forces you to grow as a person in ways very few things can. It exposes your weaknesses quickly, but it also teaches resilience, humility, and perspective.

@tastifyfood

THE INFLUENCER

STEVE LUTHER, PRINCIPAL | CHIEF STRATEGIST & ADVISOR, CHORD REAL ESTATE

1. Why is community important in the work you do?

Community is at the heart of everything we do. Real estate involves homes and investments, but at its core, it’s about people and relationships. My faith has shaped how I view business — not just as a way to make a living, but as an opportunity to serve others and impact lives.

Photographer: Adam Sanner

What energizes me most is seeing the impact we can have on individuals and families. Whether it’s helping someone through a difficult transition, opening doors to opportunities they didn’t think were possible, or being present during meaningful life moments, there’s nothing more rewarding than knowing you made a difference.

We’re passionate about giving back through organizations like the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, Frontline Ministries, and the American Red Cross, but beyond organizations, it’s the personal connection that matters most. I believe businesses should contribute to the communities that support them and leave people better than they found them.

2. How do you define leadership outside of money or status?

Leadership is about integrity, consistency, and how you treat people when there’s nothing to gain. Doing the right thing — especially when no one is watching — is foundational to true leadership.

It’s earned through trust and shown in how you serve your team, support clients, mentor others, and handle difficult situations with honesty and humility. Some of the most impactful leaders are quietly creating opportunities for others, encouraging people behind the scenes, and setting an example through daily actions.

If people around you feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow because of your influence, that’s real leadership.

3. What legacy are you wanting to leave behind through your work?

I hope the legacy we leave through CHORD Real Estate extends far beyond transactions or sales. I want our company to positively impact the communities we serve, the clients who trust us, the vendors and partners we work with, our staff, and the agents we collaborate with.

More importantly, I hope my children see through my life what truly matters. I want them to understand hard work, gratitude, humility, strong relationships, and kindness. I hope they learn that success isn’t measured by money alone, but by the difference you make in others’ lives and how you carry yourself along the journey.

@chordrealestate

1. How do you balance honoring your past while still embracing change and growth?

After nearly 30 years in the music business, it permeates who I am at most levels (…and not just the hair!) It shows up in everything I do in real estate, maybe because it’s my frame of reference, like coaches speaking in sports terms. As much as I loved what I did, my role in Nashville real estate through CHORD allows me to be creative and community-focused while still being home for dinner with my family.

2. What inspired you to take the risk of starting over professionally?

During a major economic downturn, I found myself at a crossroads. The music industry was shifting with digital downloads, a 65% drop in unit sales, and reduced A&R and tour budgets. At the same time, my wife fell ill with something doctors took nearly a year to diagnose. I thought I might lose her, but once she received the right treatment, she recovered—and we soon learned we were expecting our second child. With so many life-changing events in one year, I decided to come off the road to be a full-time husband and father. That meant reinventing myself.

3. What misconceptions do people have about starting over later in life or after success?

People think you have to have it all figured out. I believe life, relationships, and careers are Godordained. My greatest successes have been others-focused “God-things” I could never have orchestrated myself. There’s effort involved, but when you put others first, great things unfold.

“There’s effort involved, but when you put others first, great things unfold.” “

That’s true in real estate too. I credit my partners, Steve & Ashley Luther, for connecting my entertainment background with real estate. We take a concierge approach, having helped design or stage over 1,000 homes and built a boutique brokerage. You don’t need it all figured out—just great people, hard work, and helping others win. @chordrealestate

THE REINVENTOR

VAN HOHE | CEO, CHORD REAL ESTATE

Smokin’ Oaks Organic Farms Smokin’ Oaks Organic Farms

BUTCHER & MARKET BUTCHER & MARKET

DELI - PRODUCE - PASTURE-RAISED MEAT - FLOUR

DELI - PRODUCE - PASTURE-RAISED MEAT - FLOUR

US ABOUT US

ABOUT

At Smokin’ Oaks Organic Farms, we’re committed to providing high-quality, feel-good products. Our pasture-raised, non-GMO meat is never treated with antibiotics, and we uphold strict animal welfare and regenerative farming practices. As a family-owned business, when you visit our market, you'll meet the people behind our products. By supporting us, you support local farmers and join our community.

LUCID PRIVATE OFFICES

New to Midtown, Lucid Private Offices Offers an Elevated Alternative to Standard Coworking. The Company’s CEO, Flip Howard, Discusses The Details.

ARTICLE BY MORGAN RAUM

Located in Midtown, Lucid Private Offices has it all—from panoramic skyline views to thoughtfully curated details that make every corner feel elevated, polished, and designed with intention.

TELL US ABOUT LUCID PRIVATE OFFICES AND THE SERVICES YOU OFFER.

Lucid Private Offices is what I'd call the upscale alternative to both casual coworking and the outdated executive suite model—and we've been doing this for over 20 years. We offer fully furnished private offices, dedicated team suites, part-time workspaces, meeting and conference rooms, and virtual office solutions across 25-plus locations in Texas, Georgia, Arizona, and now Tennessee. Everything is all-inclusive—one simple monthly price covers your office, utilities, internet, cleaning, receptionist services, complimentary refreshments, the whole thing. No surprise bills, no setup fees, flexible terms. We've also got four different meeting room formats—boardrooms, training rooms, podcast rooms, day offices—all equipped with screen sharing. And if you're not ready for a physical office yet, our virtual office option gives you a prestigious business address, mail handling, phone receptionist service, and conference room access when you need it. The bottom line is we've obsessed over providing three things for 20-plus years: the most professional place to meet clients, the most productive place to get work done, and a genuinely hassle-free, low-commitment solution to get there.

WHAT MADE NASHVILLE THE RIGHT NEXT CHAPTER?

I've said it since day one—Nashville is a city of go-getters. The population growth is real,

the business energy is real, and all those new people need a great place to work. When I look at a new market, I'm looking at the feel of a city—whether it has that entrepreneurial momentum that makes our model work. Nashville has it in spades. The location we landed on, 1801 West End Avenue—right at the gateway between Midtown and Music Row—is exactly the kind of address that says something. You've got Vanderbilt steps away, downtown minutes out, the best dining and music landmarks surrounding you. We take that drive that defines Nashville and blend it with a premium, professional atmosphere. That combination is what makes Lucid oneof-a-kind, and Nashville was ready for it.”

LUCID SPACES FEEL MORE BOUTIQUE HOSPITALITY THAN TRADITIONAL OFFICES. HOW INTENTIONAL WAS THAT DESIGN DIRECTION?

Completely intentional—and it comes from 20-plus years of actually listening to what clients want. The old executive suite was dull, dark, and honestly kind of demoralizing. The casual coworking era swung hard the other way—beer kegs, foosball tables, loud music that makes you feel like you're in a frat house. Neither one serves a serious professional. What we landed on is something I describe as a calculated balance—sophisticated enough that your clients walk in and feel like they've arrived somewhere, vibrant enough that you actually want to come to the office. Natural light, upscale furnishings, a full-service barista-quality coffee lounge, and professional reception that greets your guests by name. And because we're white-label by design, our brand takes a back seat to yours. The space should feel like your headquarters—not a shared facility you're renting by the month.

WHAT WAS MOST IMPORTANT WHEN DESIGNING THE NASHVILLE LOCATION SPECIFICALLY?

The scale and the setting... We've taken 32,000 square feet across the 6th and 10th floors of one of Nashville's most iconic glass towers—and that comes with responsibility. You've got sweeping panoramic views of the city, so the interior had to be worthy of that backdrop. We built out four high-tech meeting rooms, a full-service coffee lounge, a hospitality bar with barista-quality drinks, and professional reception. We also made sure the location itself did work for our members: there's a 700-space parking garage, an on-site fitness center, in-house dining, and you're steps away from hot chicken restaurants, music venues, hotels, salons—our goal was for it to be a destination.

“WHAT LUCID GIVES ENTREPRENEURS, CREATIVES, AND HYBRID PROFESSIONALS IS A SPACE THAT LOOKS AND FEELS LIKE SUCCESS.”

HOW ARE YOU RETHINKING THE OFFICE FOR ENTREPRENEURS, CREATIVES, AND HYBRID PROFESSIONALS?

The fundamental need is unchanged: people need a professional headquarters that works for them. What's changed is who needs it and what they're willing to put up with. Entrepreneurs can't afford to get locked into a 10-year lease before they know if their model works. Creatives need focus. Hybrid professionals have figured out the commute isn't worth it, but they've also figured out the kitchen table isn't a real office. What Lucid gives all three groups is the same thing: a space that looks and feels like success, on flexible agreement terms that give members a sense of confidence and relief. We've already handled all the friction—the internet, the IT, the furniture, the printing, the coffee—so members can focus entirely on their business.

HOW DO YOU HOPE LUCID BECOMES PART OF THE LOCAL BUSINESS AND CREATIVE COMMUNITY?

This business is hospitality at its core. When your community manager knows your name, knows your business, connects you with someone down the hall who can solve a problem you've been wrestling with—that's when a workspace becomes something more than four walls and a desk. We've seen it happen organically in our spaces in Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, and Phoenix. We also do community events, which bring members together in a way that's social and professional at the same time. No software built replaces the warm, contagious energy you feel when you're surrounded by driven professionals who are all genuinely building something.

IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU BELIEVE THE ENVIRONMENT CAN POSITIVELY AFFECT PERFORMANCE?

Think about the last time you went to dinner at a restaurant that was completely empty versus one that was packed and buzzing. Same food, maybe. But the experience is totally different—the energy in the room changes everything. The same thing is absolutely true for where you work. We've spent over 20 years designing spaces that create that difference. And I've watched what happens on the other end too—people grinding away in dark, isolating environments, or trying to focus in chaotic openplan spaces that compete with every thought they have. The environment is either working for you or against you. At Lucid, we've made sure every single detail in the design is working for you.

WHAT ARE PROFESSIONALS MISSING WHEN THEY WORK EXCLUSIVELY FROM HOME?

A few things, and I'll be direct about it. First is separation: the mental shift that happens when you actually go somewhere to work. That transition matters more than people realize. Second is infrastructure. A fast laptop and decent WiFi gets you started, but it doesn't get you a lockable private office, a professional receptionist greeting you, conference rooms for your team presentations, or on-site IT support when something goes wrong before a big call. Third, and this might be the most underrated, is the professional network. The accidental hallway conversation.

The referral that comes because someone two offices down heard your pitch and thought of you for an opportunity. The energy of being around other driven professionals who are all building something. That contagious entrepreneurial spirit doesn't happen at your kitchen table.

WHAT SEPARATES LUCID FROM OTHER PRIVATE OFFICE SPACES?

First is the product itself. We've genuinely found the middle ground between the coffee-shop chaos of casual coworking and the stuffy, dated feel of old executive suites. Private, lockable offices. Real acoustic and visual privacy. A mature, elegant atmosphere with natural light and upscale furnishings. All-inclusive pricing with no surprises. Second is the people. Our community managers are the reason clients stay for years. This is a hospitality business, and our team is everything. When you combine a financially sound, operationally disciplined company with a team that genuinely cares about your success, you get something the venture-backed operators simply can't replicate: a place where professionals never feel like a number.

@lucidprivateoffices lucidprivateoffices.com/tennessee/nashville/1801-westend-avenue

AN EXCERPT FROM EPISODE 6 OF SHARE THE LIFESTYLE, A CITY LIFESTYLE PODCAST

Photographer: Brittany Dawn Short

Creative Director: Jen Birn

Stylist: Stephanie Coultress O’Neill

Location: Hotel Saint Cecilia, Austin, TX

MIKE JOHNSON HAS BUILT HIS LIFE AROUND ONE QUIETLY RADICAL IDEA: THE STANDARD YOU SET PRIVATELY IS THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS.

After eight years in the Air Force, a celebrated run on national television, and a health crisis abroad that sent him deep into supply chains and ingredient certifications most founders never touch, the result is Oshun — a luxury ritual brand built on provenance you can trace and integrity you can verify. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Mike shares what it actually takes to build something worth putting your name on. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full episode.

Q: YOU BECAME A FAN FAVORITE ON THE BACHELORETTE AND THEN LEFT THE SPOTLIGHT. YOU MOVED TO MEXICO, LEARNED SPANISH, THEN COSTA RICA, AND BUILT A COMPANY. WHAT DID THAT EXPERIENCE TEACH YOU ABOUT HUMAN BEHAVIOR?

A: “If you’re a good person going in, that shows. If you’re not, that shows too. I also learned that people form this parasocial relationship with you — they assume things about you. When in all actuality, different circumstances bring out different parts of who you are. I was on TV trying to find love. The kindness people were showing after felt a bit fake, because they wanted to be a part of something that isn’t who I am individually, but a part of what they saw on TV. And so I had to get away from everybody and everything and the noise.”

THE QUIET STANDARD:

MIKE JOHNSON

“Too many people have prayed for me. So I’ve got to get up and do the walking.”

— Mike Johnson

Q: YOU JOINED THE AIR FORCE RIGHT OUT OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE. WHAT WERE YOU ACTUALLY RUNNING TOWARD?

A: “There was something in me that was saying: I’m not living up to my full potential. I was being a follower. My uncle said, ‘What’s going to make you become an adult the fastest?’ I said, obviously, the military. The Air Force broadened my thought process more than anything. We’re so caught up in our own perception — when you learn to understand different people’s perspectives, it adds to you in so many ways.”

Q: WITH OSHUN, YOU OWN YOUR MANUFACTURING, YOU EMPLOY A CHEMIST, EVERY PRODUCT HAS A BATCH NUMBER TRACEABLE TO ITS ORIGIN DATE. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO THAT DEEP WITH THE BRAND?

A: “The EU bans 1,100 ingredients in personal care products. The U.S. bans nine. That’s my starting point. Oftentimes, it might be the same ingredient, but it comes from a place where it doesn’t have the highest purity. And 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed. Every product Oshun makes carries a batch number that goes back to the exact day it was created — I can show you every single supplier, the date, the origin. I own more than one part of the supply chain because that’s the only way I can stand behind what’s in the bottle.”

This conversation is just the beginning. Mike goes deeper into why he’s buying land up north, the family in the Philippines who prayed over his factory floor, and what he’d tell every person ready to stop performing and start building. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle podcast.