Check Out Michaella Bloom’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michaella Bloom

Hi Michaella, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started a clothing brand while I was working at Sony Music. I was 22 and having a coffee meeting with a powerful executive when he looked at me and said “why the f*ck would I bring you onto my team? You have no experience.”

In the moment I was upset but looking back it lit a fire under my @ss. He had also advised that the experience I needed to advance my career wouldn’t be obtained while at my desk. I started viewing my free time differently. I knew I was serious about advancing my career which ultimately led to the start of my first clothing brand called Etchmearapper.

As I grew in the corporate world, my relationships with culture-shaping creatives also strengthened. During my lunch hour I would do side-quests like dressing a rapper for a Billboard performance.

Then I moved to LA, still working at Sony at the time. Quit right before Covid which is a story for another time. Got my first consulting job the same day, well technically 3 days after but the meeting was set up same day.

From there my first talent business was born – 1UP Talent Network. From 2020-2023 I launched many brands first TikTok campaigns, developed culture-shaping talent, accidentally made a brand take over the internet with a viral song called “JUST WATER”, made a bunch of mistakes, and learned a ton.

I said I was done managing talent in the spring of 2023, by the fall of 2023 I was working with talent again but this time under CLTR LAB. CLTR LAB is my baby. It’s the most true to me business. It is a culture-first creativity lab. We make brands culturally relevant by ingraining them in cultural conversation through content strategy, creator partnerships, and IRL activations. We also manage the legitimate rockstar, undeniable IT girl – April Kae.

Now at the end of 2024 I have made the time to focus on my art again. I just launched a super exciting concept called Childhood Trauma Project: An Inner-Child Healing Experience. The goal is to make your trauma lighter by knowing you are not alone.

CTP is an immersive art, fashion, and trauma-informed latte art experience. Since visiting Seoul, Korea this summer I have become determined to turn this into a Global Concept Store – with spaces in Los Angeles, London, Tokyo, and Seoul. For now I started with a pop-up and it was an incredible community-led experience. I am looking forward to creating more trauma-informed healing experiences in the New Year!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has been a blend of chaotic and calm. In the earlier years of my entrepreneurial journey I didn’t know my value at all. I didn’t know how to charge for my consulting services. I didn’t know how to run a business. I thought I needed partners to really expand but I really needed to tune into myself. I had to learn to trust myself, to accept myself, and to genuinely like myself.

The healing work I did on myself personally has made profound impact on my professional work.

Don’t outsource your power.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a concept artist and upcycling designer. I am known for spray painting cartoon characters, smiley faces, and not fitting the status quo. Nothing about me is “normal”. We were never meant to fit in neat little boxes and that’s something I really advocate for through my personal brand and artwork.

My 1 of 1 clothing pieces are all super special and individualistic. I am always blending different mediums and each piece is more so art than it is clothing.

I’m most proud of my ability to maintain my integrity as an artist. I don’t get consumed by trends and I don’t let negativity on the internet surrounding my work mean anything about me. Art is supposed to make you feel something even if it’s internet hate. I don’t consider myself a controversial artist but the internet would beg to differ on that.

How do you think about happiness?
My dog Penelope.

My supportive parents that have always believed in my vision and given me the space to express myself.

Meaningful friendships. I am super grateful for the quality friendships I have in my life. Quality over quantity always.

Nature makes me extremely happy and creatively inspired, especially the ocean.

I love scents; candles, essential oils, luxury niche fragrances. Scents really bring me joy.

Exercising makes my body and mind happy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Malfyb.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malfyb/
• Other: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/childhood-trauma-the-healing-project-tickets-1105793511159?aff=oddtdtcreator

Image Credits
@iamgabyaziz