Isaiah Garza
is a formidable man with many talents. The Washington born is a fashion designer recognized for starting his label Isaiah Garza International. He is known for having the global luxury brand centered on philanthropy intending to end human trafficking. ROUGH ONLINE caught up Garza to delve more into his many talents.
ROUGH ONLINE: Can you give us an introduction to your background in terms of who you are and what you do?ISAIAH GARZA: Surely! My name is Isaiah Garza and I’m a human trafficking & mental health activist, designer, marketer, public speaker and recording artist to name a few! I guess I’m kind of all over the place entrepreneur. I have my own jewelry & merch line that I have dressed everyone from Rihanna to Cardi B in. I’m currently working on my first album & touring Washington as a motivational speaker to middle schools & high schools. In addition I work as a marketer to help build brands in sales & branding on a global scale.
ROUGH ONLINE: With all the work you do from being a singer, influencer, an activist to a motivational speaker what would you say inspires you the most? ISAIAH GARZA:
I’m inspired most by making a real impact on mankind. My goals really are to help the world in every way possible. For music I want to make music that helps uplift people and bring them happiness. For the activism I want to save as many lives as possible who have been trafficked around the world or just preventing suicides. I’m a huge mental health advocate. I think the idea of saving lives is really what motivates me. The fact that my voice and actions could be something that can actually save lives inspires me the most.
ROUGH ONLINE: You've recently been on a 10-day motivational tour speaking at high schools in Washington, what are the most important advice you've given these youngsters to shape and mold throughout their lives? ISAIAH GARZA:
It might sound cliche, but self belief and believing in themselves is something I preach like a broken record. I can’t tell you how many kids have told me they wish they could be a designer or artist for example, but they won’t because there’s too much competition. I think saying “there’s too much competition” is setting your life up already for failure. I always tell them you have to find a career in your passion. If you don’t love what you do life will pass you by and you will never find true happiness.
ROUGH ONLINE: What was the hardest decision you ever had to make regarding your career path you've taken? ISAIAH GARZA:Honestly the hardest decision was just making the first step towards the career. I think taking that first leap is like 50% of the fight. It’s really easy to keep holding that off for fear of judgement or failure. You just have to completely let go and go full force at it. You have to let go of the idea of failure from holding you back. You have to convince yourself you are going to do it hell or high water.
ROUGH ONLINE: Being a Human Trafficking activist what do you think can be done to curtail these atrocious activities and what is the one change you would make right now? ISAIAH GARZA:Bringing awareness to your friends, family and network is where it starts. Learning what to look out for to see the signs of trafficking victims is something we should all learn. Then I think the average person who might not be an activist can actually spot it in their community. Then they can report it to authorities and save lives themselves. I’m planning on bringing awareness and teaching the signs in all my keynote speaking. If I could make one change it would be to create courses in our school system on this along with mental health courses. Give the kids a platform to speak on what’s truly going on and make them feel like they aren’t alone/have support system that cares. A lot of kids bottle things up and don’t share what’s happening in their lives because they don’t have someone that actually cares. We need to find teachers who actually care instead of teaches who consider it just a job.
ROUGH ONLINE: On the creative side, you are a jewellery designer, how did you get it into that and tells us more about your latest collection and the inspiration behind it? ISAIAH GARZA:
I’ve always loved jewelry and the difference it can make in an outfit. I always imagined myself being able to design and make beautiful things in life. I guess Jewelry was just one of the first of many things I wanted to create for the world. The last collection was really just about finding ways to mix basics with statements. I focused on classical pieces, but I made them a little bigger and better. I added beautiful hearts, pearls and classic hoops. I wanted to just do something clean. I think every time I design I go by my current mood. I was feeling low key fly that month of designing the line!
ROUGH ONLINE: You are also a musician by profession. Tell us more about that and what are you working on now?
ISAIAH GARZA:
Honestly I love making music. I love the idea of using music to put a positive message across the world. I just think it’s a fun way to speak to the world. I released my first song called Pretend two months ago that’s doing quite well already. I have a song called “Alien Love” that will be released at some point in December. It’s basically a love song that I think will really get the worlds attention that I’m a legit music artist. I have another song called “Runaway” that is about mental health, human trafficking, suicide and so much more. That song will drop in January. I honestly think that will be the song that will change my life as far as an artist in music goes. I think it will be one of the most inspiring songs of the year. I’m planning on releasing my full album in April 2020.
ROUGH ONLINE: Would you do anything differently if you could start all over again?
ISAIAH GARZA: I mean I went through a SHIT load of struggle, people not believing in me and people not giving me chance, but it made me so much better and stronger. So I really don’t think I want to take anything back because if I did it might change who I am today. I really love the person I have become these last few years. If it wasn’t for the struggle and pain I wouldn’t be like this now. It made me selfless and someone who wants to just do positive & great things for the universe.
