Today we’d like to introduce you to Artis Johnson.
Hi Artis, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was thinking of a way to pay homage to my parents, who had recently passed away in 2019 my mom’s passing was unexpected and forty-five days of my mom closing her eyes, my daddy closed his eyes. So I remember riding in the car talking to my wife, talking to her about a way I could keep the love of my parents alive in some kind of way. They loved everyone that they came in contact with and it showed with action.
Both my parents loved fashion and that’s where I got my unique style from, not to be afraid to try a shirt that is not with the in crowd. I love to collect signature pieces like watches, I love to have one-of-a-kind things that the next person standing by me would not have. My wife and I was talking; she suggest I start my own brand of watches since I love them so much. I was like, what will I call it, my mom and I have the same name Artis since we was born on the same day. This has always been a conversation piece. My wife said, why don’t you put your middle name and your mom’s middle name together and call your company “VettLee.” I loved it, such a nice ring to it. So I set out to make sure to bring what I love to the forefront.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I must say it has not been a smooth ride in my journey. Like most things that you want so bad and work so hard for has a price to pay. When I say that, I mean, you never know about the long nights up trying to finally put your dreams in a plan that others will like and love. I had so many ideas of what I wanted my brand to become and so many items I wanted on the line-up. At first, I designed a watch but the passion was not there the way I thought it would be. So I changed my outlook with a t-shirt brand called Faith + Mercy because I felt faith is what helped me get through the pain of losing my parents also with God’s mercy, I wanted to put that out in the universe. This also sparked me to start a podcast called Grieving Souls to tell my story and experience with looking death in the eyes of my parents. I also wanted to help others who was losing they parents as well. The challenges from it all was to still make my parents proud and to put out the best lineup everyone wants to have in they collection of fashion. So I went back to the drawing board and drop the collection piece and just started out with VettLee added piece of items that I love so much and love to have in my everyday life. So new vision and the true “VettLee” came alive.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I love what I do but I love coming into my own brand. What I have learn from the multibillion-dollar company, I work for is not to give up and stay the course to the end. Have a vision and grow it to the best that you can all the way to the top. This is what my parents groomed me for to stand on my own two feet, and have self-control to be successful at anything I do. I strive to make sure I make the right decision on a daily to push hard toward my dreams and have an awesome life while doing it. I live everyday like it is my last, but no matter what life throws at me I live my life like it is golden because to me it is golden. I’m blessed on so many levels.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Lesson learned for me has been follow your dreams and to never stop dreaming. Make your dreams become a reality with grace and confidence. A lot of times, we all want to start something but we are scared of fear and we all have those dream stealers. The ones that talk you out of your greatest move in life because they never did it or know anyone who has done it. I learned at an early age to stay away from people who has never made the move in life that I’m trying to make. They want understand the love you have for it and they want understand if you fail that it is ok to get back up again and try. So I have learned that everything you strive for is not easy and you will have to take the stairs to get to the top of your dream.
Contact Info:
- Email: VettLeeCollection@yahoo.com
- Website: www.VettLee.COM
- Instagram: VettLee_Collection
- Facebook: VettLee Collection
Image Credits
Anitra Pierre-Johnson Brown outfit
