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The Story
Genesis: A Founder's Perspective
Early 2022. A fresh start. A plan to grow and try something new, I applied to a job in Bozeman, MT, my hometown. I didn't know what to expect honestly, but I needed to try something new. I left my unsustainable day job of $10 an hour, hoping to save some money, meet new people, and spend more time pursuing my passions and hobbies.
On my first day, I met my manager, who had just moved to Montana from Worcester, Massachusetts, sharing a similar mindset. I was instantly enamored by his energy and kindness. Little did I know that this person would lead me to a great discovery of self.
Bumps In The Road
At this point in my life, I had been actively living like any person in their early 20's, partying every weekend and enjoying the freedom of youth away from parental guidance. I was living the way I wanted to, without considering the consequences of my decisions. I didn't realize soon enough that engaging in these activities regularly, without caution, was not only distracting me from my creative aspirations but also stunting my internal and emotional growth as a young person searching for the next step in my journey within the creative community, Yong Soo Kim helped me bridge that gap.
Change Comes From Within
As time went on, I started to foster a closer friendship with this man who was holding me to an incredibly high standard of choosing to become a responsible adult, and with this relationship came an irreversible change in my life. Our conversations deepened, covering topics from life experiences to music, food, and humor, until Yong Soo Kim became an avid supporter of my career.
He poured into my cup, showing me love, encouragement, respect, and most importantly, a drive to become better than I was the day before. He would invite me to his home and cook full-blown meals, teaching me about Korean culture, recipes, and a variety of other topics concerning world history, sound bowl therapy, and philosophy.
It's All About Mindset
There was a day we were sitting and chatting about business and creating our own ventures when the conversation turned to building a creative community around my music. Yong Soo suggested forming a "cartel" of individuals who prioritized holding space for each other as a means of support. By the end of the day, The Love Cartel 406 had come into existence, and it has never left my mind since.
He encouraged me to build on this idea and tailor it to my situation as an independent Hip-Hop artist in an area that wasn't necessarily accepting of the genre. Everything started to click, and I realized that the creative community I was a part of was in dire need of undying love and support for its culture, as well as the people who contributed to its history, especially in Montana.
Not long after, Yong Soo moved to St. Louis to invest in building his own community and non-profit business, Inner Vision, aiming to support the youth and teach them about plant medicine, breath work, meditation, and body movement.
I'm very thankful for the time I spent with him, as I believe it changed me for the better and helped me become the person I was meant to be.
An Intentional Purpose
Since then, The Love Cartel 406 has become my endeavor to pursue, ultimately for the purpose of growing and nurturing the creative community and providing much-needed support for artists in a very important and intentional way.
It's very rare that creatives receive the support that they truly need, as the market is extremely undervalued. Unfortunately, many talented individuals quit before they ever see any traction, and from personal experience, I’ve witnessed many gifted people walk away from creativity, despite their genuine passion for the art they create.
The Mission
I believe in the benefits and values of a positive creative community that encourages not only local artists but also those who haven't yet found their place.
There have been times when I've felt alone and unnoticed in a rural, very underground market, but through this supportive community, I discovered the encouragement I needed to recognize my own value and pursue my visions to their fullest potential.
The Love Cartel 406 is dedicated to providing support for artists, helping them gain recognition for their talent while also offering a platform to promote themselves and their brands as independent creators.
The Story of The Love Cartel 406
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals of investing in the local arts community.
