073: Erasing the Stigma of Mental Illness with Mike Young (Re-air of Ep 007)

Mike Young is an expert in visual branding known as the “Makeover Master,” designing logos and other iconic elements for six figure entrepreneurs. In this episode, Mike discusses his years of financial struggle before finding success, the way in which his philosophy has changed over the years, how his kids enabled him to keep pushing forward, and how he and his wife now give back to the community through organizations that work to reduce the stigma around mental illness.

Where to Find Mike:

Makeover Master website

On Instagram @mikeyoungmakeovers

Check out his book, Made Over

Show Notes:

What is Mike most excited about in his life right now?

Everything: his family and professional lives are both incredibly fulfilling right now.

How did Mike launch his career, and why did he change tracks to working in visual branding?

Started a mortgage company right out of college, leading to ten offices and over 250 employees

Just before the 2008 recession, however, revenue took a downturn and business gradually dwindled.

How did his next business venture fare?

Took online marketing courses and acquired investor capital for an online literacy program.

Unfortunately he used up the capital within a few months and was left bankrupt.

What was his relationship with money like during those years?

Flawed. Had poor self-esteem at the time and would sabotage his own opportunities.

Nowadays, his emotions are no longer tied to his bank account.

What was the turning point for Mike?

There were hundreds for him, but the biggest was his kids. He couldn’t give up on himself because he didn’t want them to give up on themselves in the future.

He also realized that none of his failures were steps back, but steps to the left or right that would still lead him to where he wanted to be eventually.

What advice does Mike have for people caught in self-inhibiting or self-destructive patterns?

Decide what your ideal financial situation is like, seek out for someone who is in that situation, use them as a mentor and model their behaviour.

If you can’t have a mentor in person, look up courses online.

How did his branding business begin?

During a period of low business, helped other businesses make logos for free.

Realized he wanted to help other business owners avoid mistakes that he and others had made.

How did Mike meet his lead designer?

Hired a designer online to assist with a project who made him realize how unoriginal his own logo was.

Now they focus on completely original logo designs.

Learned that a logo alone doesn’t make a difference; it’s your entire visual brand.

Why does your visual brand matter so much, and how does it impact how customers evaluate you?

It’s the first impression any customer or client will have of your business or organization.

A cheap logo or website can give the impression that the product or service itself is cheap, even if it isn’t.

What cause is Mike most passionate about and why?

Mental health, due to experiences with suicide and anxiety in his family.

Now gives to ActiveMinds.org and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

What is Mike’s advice for people in a dark place and struggling?

Get help. Professionals have helped many people with these issues, so they can definitely help you.

This feeling is temporary.