We’re looking forward to introducing you to trenton miller. Check out our conversation below.
trenton, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I recently made custom leather jackets for Playboi Carti, Ken Carson, and Destroy Lonely. It’s crazy because every year I write my goals down for the following year… and after 4 years, I can finally check this one off!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Trenton, the founder and creative mind behind BELACARTES. I design and hand build pieces that live between grunge, high-fashion, and post-apocalyptic art. My brand is rooted in the kids who didn’t fit in.Right now I’m working on expanding the brand with bigger collections, more storytelling, and some huge collaborations I’ve been manifesting for years.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My wife is the reason BELACARTES exists. Before all of this, I worked at a bagel shop and customized Air Force 1s out of my mom’s bedroom. It actually started taking off. I made shoes for Noah Schnapp from Stranger Things and a bunch of TikTok creators. It was going really well until I got cease and desists from Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior. I had to stop everything overnight and delete all the accounts I had worked so hard to build. I felt defeated and honestly depressed, but my wife Layla picked me up, reminded me what I was capable of, and told me that if I could do it with someone else’s brand, I could definitely build my own.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering and failure are the best teachers. Most people never even start because they’re too scared to fail. You have to stop giving a f**k and just go for it. I use suffering as motivation to push even harder. If something feels too safe or too easy, something is wrong.
Success is cool, but it can also be dangerous. You get caught up in the spotlight and the attention. You stop going as hard because you start thinking you’re the s**t and it’s easy now. That’s when you get passed by the guy who wants it more than you. Your foot comes off the gas, and they blow right past you.
Suffering is okay. Be grateful for it. It’s teaching you lessons and giving you cheat codes to reach the next level. If you’re not suffering, you’re playing it too safe.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
That money brings happiness. Yea money helps a lot but its not everything I don’t think its healthy to worship $$$. Life is way bigger than that.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Im building my foundation my legacy and my empire that I get to leave to my children.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.belacartes.com
- Instagram: @belacartess
- Youtube: http://youtube.com/@Belacartes
Image Credits
@tommi.rico
