"Once I started sewing clothes for myself, I realized it was something I was wildly passionate about."

- Paige Mycoskie

Welcome back to ONKEN RADIO (previously NION Radio) — the podcast where we explore the body, mind, and soul of the creative entrepreneur. It’s my goal to help you take your creativity, business, and life to the next level. I’m so glad you’re joining me on this journey.

I’m extra excited about my guest today because I’ve known her for 10 years. I have worked with her on creative photography on multiple campaigns for her brand — one of my absolute favorite clothing brands. You’ve probably seen me wear some of her stuff on my Instagram. 

Her name is Paige Mycoskie, and she’s the inspired creator behind Aviator Nation’s luxury seventies hoodies and sweatpants. 

Paige masterfully understands how to develop her craft and express her creativity in a way that becomes a beacon of positivity in the world. Here’s a preview from our interview:

“How can I use [a bad experience] to create a positive experience for the world and make a positive difference? [Making a positive impact] gives me a lot of satisfaction, and so when young girls reach out and tell me I’ve inspired them to do what they want and start their own business and stuff like that — that makes me feel better than selling hoodies.”

- Paige Mycoskie

I resonate deeply with that. Paige’s story is fantastic, and I’m excited to share it with you today.

In this episode, we talk about how she started sewing clothes, the inspiration for sewing her first collection in her parents’ house in Texas, her creative way of approaching buyers for the clothes, and how she hustled to build her empire into what it is today. Paige will give you some excellent advice on applying yourself diligently in pursuit of your creative expression, so let’s go! 

Who Is Paige Mycoskie?

Paige attended college at Arizona State University where she studied journalism and was an avid athlete, and she continues to enjoy surfing, scuba diving, water skiing, and snowboarding. Paige did The Amazing Race with her older brother Blake (the founder of TOMS Shoes). The Amazing Race pulled Paige to California, and she fell in love with Southern California’s wilderness between Calabasas and Malibu — particularly enjoying the mountains to hike and ocean to surf. 

“I came out to California for the race and also for an internship working for Shape Magazine for a summer after my junior year of college. I was at the beach a lot because I was staying with a friend in Malibu, and I pretty much fell in love with surfing and spent the summer doing that internship, and as soon as that internship was over, I packed up my bags and pretty much moved to LA. I made a lot of friends through The Amazing Race, so they gave me a job casting for Survivor.”

- Paige Mycoskie

Paige explored her creative side by doing photography on the side and even began shooting weddings and whatever other small gigs she could to make money and keep surfing on her downtime. The surf community connected her with a surf shop looking to hire someone part-time. 

“I just loved the people I was working with and kind of fell in love with that retail world, but specifically the small mom-and-pop retail world. While I was working there, I was also shopping at flea markets and thrift stores. I realized my style was super soft t-shirts, hoodies, and sweats, but all the brands selling in the surf shop [didn’t] feel right for me. I could never find something I really loved, or I would find stuff I love, but it was never the right fit. Finally, I just bought a sewing machine, some dyes at an art store, and I started learning how to make clothing.”

- Paige Mycoskie

If you can’t find what you’re looking for — make it! Paige was simply trying to satisfy her own desires. Through finding the soft fabric and a comfortable fit, Paige, being a nature lover, also realized she wanted to put designs like sunsets and mountains onto her clothe...