We had the good fortune of connecting with K’Kio Hardin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi K’Kio, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I wanted to be able to produce my ideas without having to run them by or through anyone else. As a designer and art director we are doing creative work but we are also doing it for a client and you have to change ideas based on their needs or sometimes preferences. With Detroit Kid I can follow what I think is best for the brand or just want I feel like making at the time.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I work as a both a designer and art director. Sometimes these roles are separated but I work at a smaller agency with bigger clients so I get to do both. I have operated that way most of my career. I have always tried to take jobs where I would be learning at the same time I was creating work.

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?
Detroit is changing some much I would literally have to tell them to just go downtown and explore. There are definitely the places that you need to visit like the Avenue of fashion. There are restaurants and stores like the Three Thirteen Store and Krispy Addicts that are doing some innovative things in the retail space. Then you have to try a Coney Island. But Detroit is a huge city so as much as I would say go downtown and explore I would say you have to make sure you get with someone who is from the city and find the gems that are outside the downtown.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would start with my mother and father. Even though I was have always looked into going into the arts I have never had any push back from either of them as you hear from parents wanted them to go into something “safe”.

Website: www.DetroitKid.com

Instagram: instagram.com/DetroitKid1978

Facebook: Facebook.com/DetroitKid1978

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsiadj6mTcU5rdJ4bUsVPQA

Image Credits
Lians Jadan https://liansjadan.com
Lamar Landers https://www.instagram.com/lamarlanders/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMichigan 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.