Story & Lesson Highlights with Steve Skipper of Lancaster

Steve Skipper shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Steve, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is a normal day like for you right now?
Long story short, I’ve been dealing with mental health challenges since 2013. In August of 2024, I had to quit my job after experiencing daily panic attacks. That moment ended up becoming a turning point for me.
These days, my mornings start with a workout, which helps me stay grounded and focused. After that, I dive straight into work — usually designing new pieces for my clothing line, You’re Not Alone Co., a streetwear brand centered around mental health awareness.
Most people originally knew me as a DJ and music producer, so I still spend part of my day producing new music or creating custom beats for artists. Between managing both of my websites — yourenotaloneco.com and djskip.beatstars.com — and balancing design and production, my days are busy but purposeful.
Owning my businesses in both music and fashion has given me a new sense of direction. Every day, I’m creating something that helps others feel seen and less alone — and that keeps me going.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I go by DJ.Skip. I started DJing at just nine years old and eventually worked my way up to having my own radio show on 100.9 FM KRAJ by the age of sixteen. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve dealt with panic attacks and anxiety over the years, which eventually led me to step away from DJing and shift my focus to music production.
Since then, I’ve produced and released countless albums and EPs — both for myself and for other artists — and my music has even been featured on MTV shows like Awkward.
Another passion of mine has always been fashion, and in May of this year, I launched my own clothing brand called You’re Not Alone Co. It’s a streetwear line built around mental health awareness — created for anyone going through similar struggles. So far, the response has been incredible: over 100 items sold and 68 completed orders.
I’m also currently writing a book titled “365 Dreams (And Some),” which documents a year’s worth of my dreams and the stories behind them. It’s set to be released on Amazon in early 2026.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My parents. They’ve always had my back — even during the lowest moments of my life. When I was ready to give up, and even when I was suicidal, they refused to let me fall. They saw the potential in me long before I could see it myself — the drive to create, to inspire, and to help others.
Even in my darkest times, when I didn’t recognize who I was anymore, they lifted me with their words, love, and unwavering belief. If it weren’t for them, I never would’ve started my clothing line or found the courage to keep going.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I’ve already touched on it, but October 2024 was one of—if not the—hardest months of my life. It’s no secret that I’ve struggled with anxiety and panic attacks since 2013, but I’ve always managed to fight through it. There were years, like 2017–2018, when things got so bad I didn’t leave my room for a month. Still, I always found a way to pull myself out of that dark hole.
But last October, when it all started happening again, I didn’t think I could do it anymore. I had worked so hard since 2019 to rebuild my life — I got my job back, started dating again, and finally felt like myself. So when everything came crashing down again, I was done.
On October 27th, I planned to take my life. I even wrote a goodbye letter to everyone. But I couldn’t go through with it — for one reason: my mom. I couldn’t imagine the pain she would’ve gone through if I did.
I’m glad I didn’t.
Every month since then, I’ve gotten stronger — mentally and physically. I started my clothing line, You’re Not Alone Co., and heard so many touching stories from customers who’ve faced their own battles. It made me realize how much people are silently going through every day.
Life is hard, and I won’t pretend otherwise. I know I’ll probably face more panic attacks in the future — but I’m not giving up. Not for myself, not for my family, and not for anyone else fighting the same fight.
I’m here to fight.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
It’s hard to say — honestly, we’d probably have to go interview one of them and ask this question, lol. But in all seriousness, I hope they’d say I’m a genuine person who truly cares. Someone who’s loyal, honest, and willing to do anything for the people I love.
At the end of the day, I just want to be a good person and help others around me — that’s what really matters to me.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
This is a question I think about a lot — not because I don’t know the answer, but because it means everything to me. I don’t know how long I have on this planet. The life I lived before 2013 was wild — DJing clubs every weekend, drinking, fighting, and living fast. Then came the mental health battles, the panic attacks, depression, and suicidal thoughts that completely changed my life.
I say all that because, at this point, legacy is everything to me. It’s what I have left besides my family. Marriage and kids sound great, but honestly, I don’t see that in my path. What I do see — what I need — is to leave behind something that lasts.
Before I go, I want to put out art that will live long after I’m gone. That means my music — the albums and tracks that are out on Apple Music and Spotify. My clothing line, You’re Not Alone Co., which I hope continues to uplift people even when I’m no longer here. And my book, 365 Dreams (And Some), so people can read my thoughts, experiences, and dreams for years to come.
If I left this earth without anything to show for what I’ve been through, I’d feel like I failed.
I refuse to let that happen.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yourenotaloneco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dj.skip/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/dj.skip
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@djskip?si=vSPjCghS5jSvJvlm
• Other: www.djskip.beatstars.com

Image Credits
Edwin Ramirez
Richard O.