We had the good fortune of connecting with Kenneth Marshall and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kenneth, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Open stands for Ordinary People Expecting Nothing. It is a clothing and an LA-based nonprofit focused on inspiring positivity and creativity in our communities through the support of programs in the arts, education and exploration. Our team provides support through entrepreneurship and philanthropy to raise awareness and funds for our partners. While primarily self-funded, the proceeds from apparel sales, and donations, help our foundation to provide financial support and resources to our partners. We support organizations that align with our values and are making a positive impact for others. We do this because we want to be the change we want to see in the world! open. seeks to establish a recognizable and iconic brand that evokes a sense of creative empowerment, freedom, and risk taking. While open. is a clothing company at heart we use our platform to highlight and promote special projects, with ordinary people, who are positively impacting the world around them. Our goal is to establish a community of Ordinary People who value appreciation, ambition, and creativity in their individual pursuit towards a greater, collective goal.
I am most proud of the things I’ve been a part of to impact the lives of others. From providing much needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to distributing back to school supplies, even a 10 city Food Drive in partnership with Framer Link. I’ve used my creative talents and passions to make life better for others. This seems to set me apart from many others. Nothing is about my personal gain. I just want to leave it better than I found it.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a Senior Media Production manager at AT&T. My activities include consulting with 40 clients to create and produce video content for AT&T’s T University.
I specialize in pre to post video production, from concept to end product. I consult, create, edit, etc. I wear many different hats. It is truly great to have the opportunity to do it all.
I am a creative in the Los Angeles area, known for my uniqueness and authentic perspective. The project doesn’t matter. I thrive in a collaborative and creative environment. This is how open was started.
I am also the VP of creative services for the family business, Marshalling Resources. In this role, I serve as in-house media producer to produce content for my mom, Cynt Marshall, and our various projects. Whether it’s graphic design, photography, production assistance, distribution of videos, on site event management, I am at the service of mom and the MR team. This job is priceless. #ProudSon
We have the annual Minnie’s thanksgiving project coming up followed by the annual birthday HeavenCynt project.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
West Side or Bust!
Breakfast at Flake in Venice
A nice bike ride from Venice Beach to Redondo Beach Pier
A nice little stop on the way home in Manhattan Beach for drinks at The Strand
Home to chill out with my frenchie Blu before headed down to the Venice Whaler to catch the beautiful sunset with friends
and then out in Venice/ Santa Monica to end the night. The Brigg, Waterfront, Venice Ale House, Jameson’s
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 shout out to all of the non profits who are working day in and day out to meet the basic needs of underserved members of our community.
My family is everything to me. My mom and dad are special people who loved me unconditionally from the day they adopted me at two years old. I have a big supportive family.
Andrew Schleicher, my friend and business partner, embraced the OPEN. vision when we were in college. He works tirelessly with me to breathe life into the vision. Without him we are nothing.
Website: beopen.us
Instagram: @open.clothing
Twitter: https://twitter.com/openclothingLA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openclothingLA
Image Credits
Jasmine Rollins, Elizabet Puksto, Kyle Miller, Ken Marshall