Local Angel Co.’s Michelle King Understands How Community Is An Ecosystem

It’s past time we remixed the entrepreneur archetype. The tried-and-true definition of an emerging or aspiring business owner feels tired. The modern entrepreneur is a mover, shaker and doer who’s not content with simply breaking all the rules. Our 52 trailblazers featured in the October issue are rewriting the rules, tearing them up and doing it all over again. It’s creation at its purest, because the fruits of one’s hustle are not actualized overnight or by following one jet-lagged recipe. It’s no longer adequate to measure entrepreneurs by the brick-and-mortar spaces they manifest or the jobs they create. Those are all important elements but fall short of what it truly means to build something — often with blood, sweat and tears. Whether you’re revamping the vintage clothing industry, introducing a fresh dining concept, cultivating an advocacy-focused creative agency or advancing the cause of equality for the LGBTQ+ community, the only thing that matters is freedom — the freedom to march to the beat of your own badass drum. Read our full rundown of trailblazers here. 

Michelle King, founder of Local Angel Co., exemplifies community sustainability within her work. Fifty percent of the profits raised from selling Local Angel’s merchandise go to local nonprofits. King’s mission is to ensure her business mutually support her neighbors.

Advice that keeps you hungry
My mom always says to not be distracted by what other people are doing: Stay focused, work hard and it will pay off. She hasn’t been wrong yet.

Early bird, night owl or in-between
Depends. I am great at sleeping when I need to, but if there is an idea or task that needs to get done, I get it done so my sleep is sound.

Burning question for an iconic trailblazer
Mellody Hobson: “How might organizations approach rethinking long-term impact strategies for positive growth and investment in communities?”

The current soundtrack to your life
“The Temptations Greatest Hits.” There is not a more uplifting, feel-good album out there. Who doesn’t love The Temptations? 

@localangelco // localangelco.com

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