We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Jackson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was definitely motivated behind a genuine desire to connect with my community, with my peers and with society as a whole. The thought process included creating a clothing brand that would bring about unity encouragement and connection. The idea was to design my business with others in mind as I needed it to keep myself accountable as well as connected with an energy of hope and a willingness to responsibly succeed.

What should our readers know about your business?
I think it’s very important to identify why I became a small business owner, And even more so why I became the founder of StayStopped United. First and foremost I acknowledge that by the Grace of God, I have not found it necessary to use drugs or drink in the past 7 years.

The origin of my story is actually based in my battle with alcohol and drug addiction.

For 20 years I was a functional addict and really did not mean for it to get as out-of-control as it did… since coming into recovery in 2015 I saw this was an opportunity to really be able to help other alcoholics and addicts who struggle with sustaining long-term sobriety.

And so I believe I was divinely inspired to create,—— For the first time ever,—-
a recovery apparel brand with a very distinctive branded label “StayStopped®”a brand of clothing that would bring awareness to successful living as well as encouragement with a new connection to our communities and families.

Therefore the origin of my business story is rooted in my experience and my accomplishment and re-dedication to my life and In rebuilding relationship with God , my family, with the community and with myself. What better way to reestablish a sense of self-esteem then to Create a business that Would allow me to connect others With such a positive energy.

To be an inspiration and to reestablish hope To the hopeless—- connection to the disconnected and an authentic recovery brand to the lost.

What I would like the world to know about our brand and story is that Recovery is possible. And our brand speaks to the individual who is struggling to family members who are touched by addiction and most importantly to communities to remove the stigma of recovery and addiction.

StayStopped® branded we wear recovery and we live recovery. It’s a beautiful thing. StayStopped®

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Great question I’ve been really wanting my best friend to visit me out here in Southern California for the longest time I live here in Huntington Beach so naturally I would take him to the Huntington Beach pier and downtown Huntington Beach from there we would definitely have to go eat at sanchos tacos which is the best tacos in Orange County over the next couple of days we would visit downtown Los Angeles Hollywood Beverly Hills and then we’d probably close out the week with an awesome trip to Knott’s Berry Farm for some serious roller coaster action on the HangTime, Silver bullet, Excelerator and my favorite Ghost Rider.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost I have to give a shout out to The grace of God. Next I will give a definite shout out to my daughters mother Jessyca and my kids Gianna and Angel. They are 100% a part of my story. I also need to dedicate a shout out to the combat veterans treatment court program Here in Orange County California. They definitely had a firm hand and definitely get a little credit and recognition for the life that I have today.

Website: www.StayStopped.shop

Instagram: @Stay.Stopped

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staystoppedunited

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