SUAVV: Nice. I think that’s the challenge that most people face when they branch off and decide to go into business for themselves. There are so many different distractions that you go through and all of the questioning aspects, especially when you have the bad months. So when you branch off and you hit those rocky months, how do you stay focused in this industry?
SUAVV: Yeah. And it’s, it’s kind of wild. When you explain that story and for somebody like me, I come in at the point where Miguel Wilson is a known name. So how did it feel to go through that? And then now knowing that your name carries weight just in itself?
Miguel: It’s crazy because I still feel like I’m in a struggle. I think from perception, everyone thinks you’re doing it big. I’m grinding. I’m hustling harder than ever. Social media has a way of making things seem one way and reality is very different. To no fault of the people, you know? I just put stuff out there. And of course, you just internalize things. But, I put out the good, bad, and ugly. I was in Cabo on vacation a little while ago, at a little cigar bar. A brother walked up and he was like, “Hey you, sir, you’re the suit guy.”And he’s from California. So it’s always surprising to me that people recognize me. It happens quite often. And, and I get a lot of love from people who meet me that way. I don’t feel like I made it because I’m still enjoying the process. You know, I’m not rushing to get to this place or that place. I’m just focused on what I’ve been doing and focused on the business. It’s a process. You go through things, you elevate, and you continue to build.
SUAVV: So we interviewed one of your employees, Tiana, and she said that when she first asked to work for you, you told her absolutely not. And she stayed on you to a point where you just pulled her in. How important was it for you in that moment to just give back to somebody that you saw had that hunger?
Miguel: Well, I’ll tell you this. I mentor many people. Those who make an effort to do their own thing and so forth. The difference is when you want to come work within my space is where it’s more challenging for me. I’m not so open to just anybody coming and working with or for Miguel Wilson. It’s a brand and people have a certain expectation. I know how easy it is for you to mess up your name, your reputation, everything. So you have to protect that. And the people that stick with me are the people who go through a process with me and the process is they have to prove themselves on a certain level. I had a kid Darion, who worked for me. He just started his label. He came on with me under the same situation. I didn’t want to hire him, but he just hung around. And every time he saw situations and things I needed help in or he saw opportunities to improve my situation, he helped me. And he’d say “Hey, I did this for you. I did that for you.” And I’m like, “Oh, snap, that’s nice. That’s good.” He was around enough to recognize where my weaknesses were and recognize areas I needed or help. I’m not technologically advanced like that, so having millennials around and so forth, they have a different skillset. They have a different understanding. They see technology differently. To have that energy around can’t do anything but help me.
SUAVV: Absolutely. Now just kind of throw things out a little bit, you play polo. One, how did that start? And I mean, the Miguel Wilson Polo Classic is the go-to event of Atlanta. Those tickets sell out quickly. How did that start?
Miguel: It’s becoming a country-wide event. We’re doing a DC polo classic, LA polo classic, Chicago, etc. I want to take this around the country. The event came about because I was playing one day and another brother, he worked at the farm, and said, “You’re playing?” I said, “Yeah.” He said, “Man, I’ve never seen any Black guys out here playing polo.” From that conversation, it led me to think, you know, he’s right. I’m exposed to something, I’m doing something that a lot of people just don’t have access to and don’t have the opportunity to see. I have a great opportunity to really do something. The polo classic was the idea I came up with to do that. Being able to create a Black event, that is typically white… Think about that for a second, A Black luxury event. (he pauses for a second) You very rarely see Black and luxury in the same venue.
