Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Bell.
Hi Michael, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started learning about branding and Marketing in October 2013. I hated school so I learned everything I could through The University of YOUTUBE. I learned how to screenprint on my own by taking out around 17k out of my 401k at the time to buy brand new equipment even though I knew nothing about printing shirts. I learned illustrator and photoshop through watching videos and then learned how to build websites soon after.
It took some time but once I learned all the creative side of the brand I learned about manufacturing and distribution. I figured out how to cut and sew custom shirts, learned about hat manufacturing, and built relationships with companies that I knew could help me in the future when I was ready to try and take STAYDRVN full time.
Fast forward around 2015 or so my great friend and I ended up doing a 6-month project for a CEO of a company that has now blown up, but we helped started and created a small line for a guy named Grant Cardone the 10X guy. It was a humbling experience but because it was so much to handle we couldn’t continue business with him but it was truly a learning experience, something schooling couldn’t give you.
Time went on and I started part-time at journeys (shoe store) and was a stock boy, but thankfully, through hard work, I ended up a co-manager and soon after became the Store Manager in my hometown in Clarksville, TN. All this was part of the plan, learn everything I could for the brand, sales, managing, screen printing, photography, videography, web design, marketing, just simply leaving no stone unturned.
I want to learn and succeed so bad I will do anything to make sure I leave this earth giving everything I can and leave my kids with something great should they choose to take over. However, the one thing no one can prepare you for is what life chooses to bring your way to break you. I’m sure you’re about to find out about that in my story soon.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I have had really great days, but the bad days were really bad. But what success story is worth reading or listening to without an Underdog story. I’ll give you some things that have happened since I first started STAYDRVN, but before I do I just want to say we all have a story, I believe God has a purpose for every event that happens and that part of your story is not for you, it is for someone else to see that they are not alone in. their struggles.
I’m working for 9 years with the brand and I am just now ready to take this full-time. Your process and your struggles build your character and your mindset. You have to prepare yourself because just as there are good days ahead I promise the bad days are soon behind. I have read countless books and listened to motivational seminars and speeches every day since 2013. Just building my mind and preparing for the worst not knowing what lies ahead.
This journey, I have pursued has caused me to lose someone like a brother to me, he even was resting in peace with STAYDRVN apparel thanks to his amazing mother. I have been laid off numerous times, have had to move back in with family since finances were tight while being married, I have had multiple car issues like anyone else, I went through a divorce, shortly after I had to file bankruptcy and in 2020 is when the true test came. In 2019, my wife and I were expecting our 2nd son Elijah.
But because our money was tight and I was contracting for our amazing military I took a job in Afghanistan. He was to be born in September 2019 and I was leaving in August just a month before. But I needed to be sure my family was financially stable. Eli was born on Sept. 3rd, and I ended up not only missing his birth, but also missing his first Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. I hated it, but again my family was taken care of so I had no stress. But my true test was on the way.
I came home on March 1st, 2020 to my handsome son in the PICU at Knoxville’s Children’s Hospital. During my first time meeting him, I held him with a feeding tube and oxygen tube, and IVs. My wife called me two days before coming home saying something was wrong and they are at the hospital, and literally before my 25 hours or so flight home my wife and the doctor told me to prepare that he may not be here when I get home, the longest flight of my life, but thankfully I made it in time.
He fought the rarest Mitochondrial disorder, it is so rare that he was the youngest known person in the world to have it at that time. For 6 months, he fought, he had multiple tests, surgeries, and many nights of coding. My wife and I learned to do trach changes, g-tube feedings and so much more, my heart goes out to any parent with a special needs child or a child going through a story of strength and courage, I completely understand the stress, heartache, hopelessness at times.
This was also at the very beginning of the Covid pandemic, so they would only let one parent in at a time. So my wife and I barely saw each other after my being gone overseas. We tagged teamed with time with Eli and time with our oldest son Coulson. It was tough on us but if Eli could fight his battle so strong then we could do this.
He continued to fight until the moment came, a parent’s worst nightmare, we were told we had to make a choice, take him off his vent, or allow him to continue to possibly get worse. The disease had reached a part of his brain and began to shut down his other organs. So, as the man of the family I knew the choice would be up to me, never would I have my wife make that choice.
So on August 6th, 2020, I choose for him to be pulled off his vent Sunday, August 9th, 2020. We wanted to remember him looking peaceful than letting time go by and his swelling and issues get worse. On August 9th, 2020 our little Eli went to be with the big man upstairs. Definitely the worst day of my life and the time when I needed to find the fight within to keep moving forward.
After he passed, I battled against alcohol abuse and a dark spirit, as did my wife. We both were just so lost and confused, however, thankfully, I was able to pull myself together and remember the reason I started STAYDRVN, it was to inspire others to keep moving forward NO MATTER what obstacles come their way. That is when I and the brand finally understood its purpose.
STAYDRVN was about to get started and be known as the Most Inspiring Brand.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Truth is I still work a full-time job, I still work for the man, but I know my time is coming for me and the Drvn team to go full time.
I wouldn’t say I specialize in anything, I am just a hard worker and a dreamer, but if anyone looked at me for specializing in something I would want it to be for being able to move forward and keep fighting for my dream even though I have been through tough times like anyone else. If I must say anything that I am known for it would be for my Outspoken-ness and never giving in, or at least I hope that is how other people see me.
I guess I would say my proudest moment was giving all my heart, prayers, strength, courage, and love to my son Eli. We all have a past we are not proud of, lord knows I do, but I am changing and continue to grow daily to be a better man. However, I would say my best version of me was being the dad Eli needed in his time of need.
We are all set apart in different ways, but I would say one thing that sets me apart is the willingness to fail, take no’s to get a yes, and be overwhelmed with stress and still be able to move forward. I love the process of what I do for the brand, so I have prepared my mind by reading and listening to so much positivity that even though life may bring me to my knees at times I know myself well enough that it will never keep me down.
What matters most to you? Why?
God (still rebuilding my relationship with him), my wife, Breanna, my son, Coulson, and my new little angel, Blakely.
I have learned what truly matters in life, no amount of success, no amount of fame, or money can be compared to a healthy family. The most valuable resource we will never get back in time, so I choose my extremely small circle carefully and I only give my time to the things that bring me healthy energy and a healthy mentality.
Investing in your social surrounding is a part of you. You have to be around people that want to win, that will push you to be better, don’t forget: You hang around 4 losers you will be the 5th. You hang around 4 millionaires you will be the 5th.
Contact Info:
- Email: mike@staydrvn.com
- Website: staydrvn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staydrvn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/staydrvn
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1cNVoitP-s
