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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 the newly legalized cannabis industry in the small, but growing city of Bozeman, MT, my hometown. I didn't know what to expect honestly, considering that cannabis had been illegal to consume without a proper medical diagnosis years before. Now, it was open to the general public for recreational consumption, and I knew I had to be a part of this experience. I left my unsustainable day job of $10 an hour, hoping to save some money, meet new people, and learn about a potentially thriving industry that was quickly becoming a creative community supporting artists like myself.
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 and connect me with initiatives like The Love Cartel 406, further enriching my journey.
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. One day, I came to work, still inebriated from the night of partying and was unable to fulfill my duties. My manager took pity on me and bought me some soup, activated charcoal pills, and a sports drink to help me recover, all while having a serious and pivotal conversation about how this should never happen again. This moment, along with the support for artists I found later through initiatives like The Love Cartel 406, has stayed with me to this day.
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 within our creative community. Our conversations deepened, covering topics from life experiences to music, food, and humor, until Yong Soo Kim became an avid supporter of my career and an important source of support for artists like me. 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—elements that resonate with the ethos of The Love Cartel 406.
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 for artists. 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 for artists that they truly need, as the market is extremely oversaturated and diverse. Unfortunately, many talented individuals quit before they 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 vast 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 brand as independent creators.
The Story of The Love Cartel 406
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