We had the good fortune of connecting with Miko Underwood and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Miko, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
As a creative, I’ve learned work-life balance is tantamount to overall success. Creativity has a rhythm and you have to take time to learn yours. Work-life balance doesn’t come from working harder to produce more, but from creating a structure for creativity to thrive. I had a habit of working until the wee hours of the morning burning my candle at both ends to hit my design deadlines. My excuse was, it was much quieter, the world around me was asleep and I could work … uninterrupted in the quiet hour. In the end it wasn’t sustainable for my health.

When I incorporated a practice into my life, my relationship to balance changed. Meditation has been my teacher. Taking the time to listen to what my body is sharing has helped me to balance. Since launching OAK & ACORN, I soon learned that better productivity doesn’t come from overworking but from taking intentional time to rest, reset and digest, which may mean ending the work day earlier. Or stepping away from it altogether and focusing on another area of the business. Nowadays when I need the quiet hour, I go to bed early and take the early morning – uninterrupted. I’ve learned my rhythm.

What should our readers know about your business?
The OAK & ACORN ~ Only for the Rebelles denim story began with the desire to create a product with a purpose and the vision to craft an authentic heritage brand. Our genesis is entrenched in the history of American Denim. OAK & ACORN is the first sustainable denim lifestyle brand that pays homage to the origins of indigo & the rich legacy of American denim.

OAK & ACORN launched with the support of fashion institutions, Vogue, WWD, Essence, Rivet, Harlem’s Fashion Row and the Council of Fashion Designers of America. OAK & ACORN was also the first African American Woman-Owned Sustainable Denim Collection in Nordstrom’s New York Flagship. Each of these platforms supported OAK & ACORN sharing its brand story of the untold history of denim in America, ie “Denim in America didn’t start with Lee, Levis, or Wrangler; it began on the plantations of the American South.”

On the heels of the OAK & ACORN~ Only for the Rebelles’ notoriety in New York City, we decided to open a design studio in Los Angeles, California. We wanted to be in proximity to authentic denim making and do our part to support the craftsmanship here. While most of our competitors and peers are looking to make overseas, we are intentional in making local. We believe in local. We believe that our investment in local communities will have a much greater impact on the economy as a whole. This is what we are most passionate about.

While this was not an easy step, we made a lot of personal and professional sacrifices to make this move, we knew this was an important step in the long term impact of our business goals of supporting the craftsmanship of denim making in America.

So far OAK & ACORN has gone from 20% American made to 90% American made. We are incredibly proud of this accomplishment and appreciate the support of the denim experts we have the privilege of working with everyday.

We’ve learned so much throughout this process.

Operating a business is like being in an extended school. Everytime you reach mastery in one area, you become a student again. The business is working on you while you’re working on it. You are both developing, growing and stretching, all the time. So it’s important to maintain your personal sustainability to grow successfully.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Interesting enough, I just had my dear friend Roachelle visit me for a week. She’s the Founder of Rayo & Honey – hand crafted goods with positive intent.

We visited quite a few places and she introduced me to some as I am still green to Los Angeles.

Our jam is fine art, vintage, music, film & food here are some of the places we’ve explored.

Every 2nd Sunday of the month – The Rose Bowl Flea – some of the best vintage finds
Check out the wonderful exhibits at Hauser & Wirth in the Arts District and grab a bite at Manuela – the food is exceptional
Explore the galleries of Vielmetter Los Angeles.
Grab a bite at the Proper Hotel either the rooftop restaurant Cara Cara or downstairs at Caldo Verde.
You can listen to live music at the Moroccan Lounge and grab a taste of authentic Jamaican food at Ozi’s Kitchen
Theres also a great George Washington Carver exhibit at the California African American Museum

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to Ian Sims. Ian was my friend and Meditation Partner. After a year of meditating together and galvanizing a community to practice together he became my life partner. His music under the alias “Run Child Run” has been the soundtrack of our practice.

Website: https://ww.oakandacornbrand.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oakandacornofficial/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oak-acorn-only-for-the-rebelles

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oakandacornofficial/

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@oakacornonlyfortherebelles1239

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/OakAcornOfficial/

Image Credits
Jorde Diomande photographer, Natasha Wilson Photographer

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.