Justin Escalona - My Friend, Khalid & 1340 Collective

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Legacy of monsters streaming November 17th only on Apple TV. Plus this episode is brought to you by Michigan Economic Development Corporation. In Michigan, you can have both a rewarding career and a quality lifestyle. With plentiful career opportunities in world changing innovating industries from electric vehicles to clean energy to biotech, with room for advancement no matter where you are in your career. Plus, Michigan offers a welcoming, beautiful, affordable and inclusive community for all. Live your best life you can in Michigan. Visit themichiganlife.org like a lot of people think you need to be paid. That's a big thing in like creative world. Like oh, I did a service. I'm worth X like $250 to take photos. But I'm a very strong believer in the opposite is actually more valuable than a short term payment. Sure a lot of them will just take the photos and run with it, but some don't. And those are the people who will stick around. You'll be their guy. Fore.

Foreign. What's going on everyone? Casey Adams here. Welcome back. Today we got the homie Justin Escalona.

What's up man?

Appreciate you coming on the show, man.

Of course.

So dude, first thing first. I know this is our first time meeting. I've been following your content for a while and my buddy put put me on to everything you're doing and I'm like dude, like you're doing it different than anyone I've ever seen it before in terms of content creation with the clothing out and you have 1340 collective. And it's been unique for me to watch because I think a lot of people like you know, like there's so many people to follow on social media but like you're very, very different in the terms of storytelling. But for the people that may not know what you're currently up to and what you're working on, I'd love for you to kind of just give a glimpse outlook of like what 1340 collective is, what it means to you when you started it and then we'll get into the story.

Okay, so my name is Justin Escalona and I am the founder of this company called 1340 Collective. 1340 started off as a as just really as a joke. So I used to go to the school University of Southern California. I was a film student here. And while I was out here, there was a kid in my dorm that lived like a few dorms down next to me. And he had his own clothing company. And he'd always be bragging about how good his company was doing, how he was just killing it. And I found out that he's only selling, like 10 units. I'm like, yo, that's really not killing it. And I feel like I could do better. And in the whole USC spirit, you always have to outdo each other. And as a joke, I made my own company, 1340 Collective. And that was just based off 1340 literally, is my freshman dorm room number.

That's so dope.

And then I studied about streetwear. I studied about all that whole scene for a while, and next thing you know, I turned into. In the first week of being live, it was able to turn it into a $20,000 worth of revenue in just one week without really any knowledge of the space. And I said, I thought, hey, maybe I should probably work on it, take it serious, and find a way to make this something more legitimate besides just a joke. Yeah. And now we're here and just trying to just do it.

That's so dope. So you graduated college when?

Oh, no, I didn't graduate yet.

Oh, okay.

I have, like, four more weeks of college. The only problem is I am not doing too good in the grade sphere and helping our best. We can get through this.

Okay, that's what's up, man. So for the people that may not know. So in terms of your brand, you built, we obviously connected on Instagram. Over 600,000 followers on there. Over 300,000 on YouTube.

Yeah.

When would you say that came in the. Into your life in terms of social media, growing a following? Because I think a lot of people, I come from a small town in Virginia, and it's like this whole social media world, it's like you either do it or you don't. Like, there's no, like, kind of doing it right. So it's like, I can tell you went all in. You're doing what you're doing. So when did that start for you in terms of the social media aspect?

So at a young age, I used to make videos with my friends, and we just make skits. And there was a. I was probably in, like, sixth grade, and I was making, like, just random skits of my dad's old point and shoot camera. But sit. When I was in sixth grade, that's probably like almost 10 years ago from now, because I'm 22 years old. And back then, we just made videos on YouTube for fun. Like that YouTube wasn't a thing. There's no, like, idea, monetizing revenue. Like, these words were just literally foreign to me. And this one, YouTube was a small community where there's people like Fred Smyth. The incentive to make YouTube videos was just really, can people watch it? And like, you wanted to get views and like you, there's such a small community aspect about it that everyone who made videos and knew each other.

Yeah.

And we just did it for fun. And I really. Not until my eighth grade year, I took it seriously because I just started making. I started to really dive into making more serious short films.

Yeah.

Because my friends always had cameras around, so. And. And then I learned how to use the camera. And moving forward from there, in high school, I started making more short films, making YouTube videos. And that's when it all just spiraled into this whole mess.

That's so crazy. So, like eighth grade was like the start of it. You'd say, yeah, dude, that's so dope. So nowadays with the way you do storytelling and the way you do content, especially like on Instagram, the short documentaries, that sort of style, what would you say was the inspiration to, for example, do the documentary style? Because I think a lot of people, they'll put the vlogs, they'll do. They'll put out content.

Right.

But you, you can tell you have a genuine, like, outlook to it, and you truly put some time and effort into the voiceovers until the energy, like, like I said, it's different than what I've seen. That's why I was really intrigued when I first came across of it. But what would you say was like, the. The pivot to start creating content? Like, so.

So I've always. My whole life, I always was into watching movies. I had this big idea for a long time where I had. If I watched a movie every single night, whether whatever genre it'd be, I'd be able to soak up some of the knowledge, like subconsciously learn more about the craft. I didn't think I would ever even think of needing one day down the line. And I really was drawn to this director, Martin Scorsese, because he uses voiceovers all the time. And after watching his movies, I watched pretty much every single movie he's made. And then I mixed that with watching my favorite TV show of all time, Entourage.

Yeah.

And I was like, hey, like, how can I do a cross breed of film, cinematic, Martin Scorsese stuff with more. So of an entourage, outlook on life of like where a bunch of kids from a suburban suburban town who have really not many connections with Hollywood at all, how can they make it? And I wanted to showcase a lifestyle where people could. It's attainable if you just work hard enough. And through that I was able to shape my style of editing and filming. And I guess we're here today.

That's so dope. So where are you from? For people that may not know, I.

Grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. It was a little town, sort of little town called Palatine, Illinois, northwest suburban.

That's what's up. So I'm very curious because I know that you have a lot of videos on YouTube in specific, and a lot of them. The one of them that I first came across was the one where it was like my friend Khalid, right?

Yeah.

And we watched it today. I showed Roger shout out to Roger if he's listening to this. Right. But it was really inspiring because I think like you all have a very unique outlook to not only the social media world, but just like what it truly means to start something, put in time and see something win. Right. And you said it perfectly in that video. You're like, dude, you really did it right. And I watched that video and the energy that I felt from it, it was very inspiring, number one. But it was something that you put out in 2017. So it was like now almost two years ago. And I was like, dude, this is more than a video. It has a true message to it. But I'd love for you to touch on that because I don't know if everyone has seen that video that maybe listening to that. But I would love for you to just go into what that video means to you, how it's affected you and overall just your guys relationship. Because I think it was something very unique. When I saw it, like I said, that's more than a video, but a true meaning.

Yeah. So if anyone doesn't know, he's referencing a video I made in 2017 called my friend Khalid. And it's one of my favorite videos ever made. And it's about the musician Khalid, how him and I developed a friendship before he became famous. And this is easily one of, I think my best work I've ever made for sure. And so back in maybe 2016, I reached out to Khalid on Twitter on hey man. I heard location on Soundcloud. Big fan. And he reached out to me and he replied saying like, hey man, thank you. And a few months go by, I don't even hear from him for a while, and he reaches out to me, saying, out of nowhere, saying, hey, do you still live in la? And I go, yeah. He goes, hey, like, what are you doing tomorrow? I'm like, okay, like, let's come over. And he comes over, he's like, yo, bro, I have, like, no friends in la. You're one of the first people ever met here. I'm like, bet, let's just hang out.

Yeah.

And then over, like, the course of a long. Like, a long time, him and I would hang out every single day. He'd come to my apartment and just chill. And we developed a very genuine relationship. And it was so funny. He only had, like, 10,000 followers on Instagram, and Khalil's one of the biggest musicians in the world right now. And we were just. Just good homies. We'd go everywhere together. But it was so funny. Like, he had a. He has a really good A R. Like, one of the best A and R right now. But at the time, he would always be like, yo, bro, I have to go to this event. And then he'd come out back over the next day. He's like, yeah, bro, I met Bryson Tiller and he posted me on his Instagram. And then he went from, like, 10K to, like, 40K. And then he's like, yo, I have to go to this other event tonight. And, like, he'll go from, like, 40K, and he'd hang out with Kylie Jenner and he'd be at 100k, and this kid is just going nuts. I'm like, bro, it's incredible how much you're doing. And genuinely, I didn't make this video for just like, for views or anything like that. It was.

Yeah.

He was really, like, one of my best friends at the time. I never. I didn't have anyone closer in my life besides Cleed.

Yeah.

And I wanted to show my appreciation for him because, you know, when you become, like, that level of stardom, you're busy. Like, very busy. You have world tours, you have all these press things to be. Your life is pretty structured out. So I don't get to see this guy as much. But, like, I wanted to make a little homage. So, like, I appreciate you for helping me. Like, you've helped me in my life in ways I never thought possible.

Yeah.

So I wanted to make a video, like, saying thank you. And I guess a lot of people resonated with it. It was just more so, like, we had this friendship.

Yeah.

And then it ended with us. Me going to one of his Shows and it was just sold out and there was like over a thousand people there. And I was like. Almost started crying when I was there. I'm like, holy shit. Like, this is. You've done it. Like you, you were a kid who used to just come over my apartment and now.

That's crazy.

You're like a superstar. Yeah. Nuts.

That's insane. No, it's dope, cuz like, if you watch the video, which I'll make sure I link it down below, it's like you feel that energy. That's why I brought it up, because I was showing him earlier and it's like, like I said, like I'm saying it again. It's, it's. It has a true purpose and story that the video doesn't do it justice, you know, I think it's something where it's like seeing that not only resonates with a mass audience of people, not only because it's. He's a musician now and killing it, but just like the story of it. Right. So going back a little bit, 1340 collective, right? Yeah. What would you say? Like, nowadays I always see your Instagram stories, you got like the whole print shop, it's freaking killing it in terms of like the branding that, like the style. It's like, like you said, streetwear. I love streetwear industry as well. And me seeing that, I'm like, dude, super dope. So you started that now going out of college, you graduate and you said four weeks.

Yeah.

If your grades are good. Right. What would you say is the main mission for that right now and moving forward?

The main mission right now is trying to scale it as much as possible. Because, like, when you really think about it, I really made this company as just as a joke. And I finally started taking it serious and have a lot of collaborations with a lot of really prominent people and companies right now. Have a collaboration coming up with LA Weekly coming out in like two weeks. And then I have like a bunch of other collaborations in the works as well with a bunch of musicians. But it's just really, I want to see how far I can go because I have a lot of social co signs with a lot of like, athletes right now, and they've been showing me a lot of love recently. So I really don't know. Like, when I started this company, it was more so I didn't. It was just for fun. And now that it's bringing in, like, very substantial revenue and a lot of like actual important people are wearing my stuff, it's like, yo, I have Something on my hands, that's dope.

I think one of the biggest things that I want to touch on there is like, for example, collaborations. I think a lot of people, the reason I started this podcast is collaborations. That's how we're doing this right now. Right. It's like my vehicle to network and get into the right circles and just meet people through it. Right. Like. And that's very much so elevated my brand as an individual. So when you say collaborations, what would you say has given you the access, and I would call access, but leverage to collaborate with these people from the start? Because obviously you've built a brand, you have the credibility now. And I think a lot of people that are listening to this podcast, it's like they understand building a personal brand is important. They understand content will lead to opportunities, but they may be stuck. They may be putting. Putting out videos no one's watching. What would you say has allowed you to really elevate your game, build a brand, gain respect and move in the direction of doing these strategic collaborations with all these influential people?

Yeah. So I feel like a lot of these people who are watching this probably don't know who I am. When I was younger and I was in eighth grade, I used to sneak into concerts because I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and everybody who would come on tour as musicians would have to stop in Chicago. So every single weekend I would take the train downtown and I would literally take my dad's camera and I would go up to the security guard and be like, hey, I'm a photographer. Rolling Stones and people. And back then, like photography, videography and Instagram wasn't a thing, so it wasn't trendy back then. So, like, if you had a camera, you were serious. Yeah, this huge camera and they're like, alright, you're in. And I don't know why they believed me because I was like a scrawny little kid and. But for some reason they did. And I would get into all these shows and I would seek my way backstage and a lot of times even on stage and. And I'm taking photos of all these rappers, musicians, whatever. And I would do this every single weekend. And once you do it enough times, you don't have to sneak in anymore. People start inviting you. And I got invited to these shows and then it progressed to me being invited to go on tour with musicians and be their photographer, videographer. And from there, a lot of people think you need to be paid. That's a big thing in creative world. Oh, I did a Service, I'm worth X, like $250 take photos. But I'm a very strong believer in the opposite. It's got it. You don't need to be paid, like in the long run, maybe in the short term, $250 is nice. You might pay your rent and whatever, but if you're trying to become like a substantial person in the scene, you do things for free. Free is actually more valuable than a short term payment. So, like being able to like do these photos for free for all these people. Sure. A lot of them will just take the photos and run with it. Yeah, well, some don't. And those are the people who will stick around. You'll be their guy forever and then come. And this is what, this is why 1340 really worked for me. So I did all these photography stuff for free for these really influential people. There's another form of currency besides money, and that's just social. Social posts. That's the ultimate currency. So back then I did all this stuff for free and I maintained relationships with them. And then when I launched 1340, like probably four years later, I hit him up like, hey, man, hey. I launched this clothing company, can you please wear a photo? Take a photo of it? And they take a bunch of pictures wearing the clothes and next thing you know, they post it. And now that photo of them wearing it has a lot of power. And they post it. And now all their followers get like, yo, what is 1340? And you see another person post it. Oh, I've seen 1340 on his page and now this page. And then that just compounds on each other over and over again. And now instead of taking $250 back then to take some photos, I gave him a free T shirt. And now that T shirt is worth $10,000.

Yeah.

So it's just how you want to see it.

Yeah. You're speaking my lane. Good, bro. That's so facts. So you were so bring me back. So like you're finessing getting these concerts and as you know, like the mindset like free, free, free. Like, I don't know. Do you know Gary Vee?

Yeah.

So he's always talking about like jab, jab, jab, right hook. Where it's like, give, give, give, ask. Right. And like, I see that in your approach to when you launched it four years later. What would you say instilled that into you? Because was it more so just gut of like, yo, if I do this now, I know that there's value left because I think a lot of people listening it's like they not only want to get paid, like, they. They expect it. Right. Not that you shouldn't. Like, everyone is worth something.

You should definitely lose the ego. That's.

That.

That's one of the first things I learned in this scene. I just completely dropped the ego. No matter if they have millions of followers or if they have only a thousand, it doesn't matter. Because if you do. If you do stuff that you actually like. Because back then, you wanted to take photos. Because I thought it was fun. I didn't really think. I didn't even consider money at all. I was happy enough if they posted it on their Twitter and tagged Usimo, took this photo, and they, like, back then, Twitter wasn't even big either. So if they got like 40 likes on it, I'm like, oh, my God. And I'm like, screenshotting it, sending to all my friends. But it's really, like, it's not important. Like, money isn't sure. Because a lot of. I feel like a lot of kids who are, like, starting up as entrepreneurs aren't coming from rags. And I know some might be, and I don't want to be insensitive to that, but a lot of kids come from stable families. They live. They're in high school. Their parents pay for their phone bill. They live. They live rent free.

Yeah.

What is the risk if you do something for free for somebody? You take photos of someone for free, what are you losing? Like, sure, you get a few hundred dollars, but if you want a few hundred dollars, just go work at Target. You don't need those hundred dollars. Be having genuine relationships. If you want to take this stuff full, full boat, you want to go all the way with it, you don't need the few hundred bucks in exchange for something much bigger.

Yeah.

But also, back then, I never even thought of it like that. I thought of it as. I just enjoyed taking photos. And I wanted to.

I felt cool going to a show 100%.

But then now looking back on, like, thank God I didn't charge because I wouldn't be friends with half the people I know.

Yeah. Because then it's like they see you as. Then like, you're just the guy. They pay, and boom. Like, you truly build relationships.

What I'm hearing, you gotta think, like, there's two guys. The guy that say you're an artist. You have. The guy who is reliable, will shoot everything for free, and it's on the. Is always available.

Yeah.

Or, oh, there's the guy who charged me $500 and he's kind of like a. He's kind of a bitch about it. And he's, like, picky, and he's asked for his money. He says, only one edit per photo. Who do you pick? Yeah, all day. The next thing you know, when that artist blows up, he calls you. And when the label has a huge budget, he says, hey, I'm gonna give you $50,000. And you're like, amazing, for sure. And that's just like, a lot of young entrepreneurs overlook that.

Okay. That's so dope, bro. So it's like, you say that, right? So hip hop, has that always been a thing for you? Like, yes, because you're saying, like, sneaking shows backstage, like, I could tell that's a. That's been your thing, right?

Yeah.

Love it. What would you say growing up were, like, inspiration to you in the hip.

Hop scene back then? I was. Really. When I was growing up, there was like. I don't know, like, maybe some listeners here might resonate with this, but I don't know if a lot of kids were a part of, like, the Call of Duty trick shotting community for sure. So, like, if you guys don't know what Faze Clan is. I used to be in Faze Clan.

Hey.

I used to. To be an editor and videographer for Faze.

Okay.

So I was always hip to those musicians. And, like, if you are. If you're familiar with that, you'll know that there's a whole community of musicians that came from that logic. Logic. Prudy Allen, G. Eazy, people like that. And like, those are the people who were going on tour when I was young. So, like, being a part of Faze Clan and also being able to go to these shows and meet the people that we used in our montages was cool. So, like, back then I was really into, like, Logic. Still into Logic because, like, I work with that team very closely now. G. Eazy, I guess. Hoodie Allen, not so much anymore, but like, back then, that was like, yeah, that was the shit. And I was never really into, like, hard, hard rap, but I always had the opportunity to take photos. I'm from Chicago, so I gotta take photos. Like, Chance the Rapper and stuff like that. It was similar.

That's so freaking dope, bro. So, like, you're about to graduate college now, so bring back high school. I just graduated high school last year. 18 years old.

Wait, what? Really? Yeah.

How do you think I was? You said 24.

I thought maybe like 20. 21.

Okay, okay, 18. And I got into this whole social media game. Like 15, 16. It's been like three years, and that's about it. Right. So, like, for you, what would you say, like, through high school was the main thing that sort of kept you motivated to start doing what you're doing now? Just bring me back a little bit in terms of, like, I think a lot of my listeners that listen to this, it's in that 16 to 20, 25 demographic. And, like, they're trying to build a brand, they want to gain credibility, they want to have these collaborations, and, like, you're breaking it down to a science to them. But I think hearing it from your 22 now, correct? Yeah. Hearing it from that perspective, some may be older than you, some may be younger. But people always say, and I've heard this all the time, it's like, why not them? Like, they don't believe they can do it. Whether that's the surroundings they're in or their community. Like, people just always say, it's not for you. You can't do this, you can't do that. I got that a lot growing up. What would you say allowed you to push those people out and actually just pursue your passion is where it's like, yo, I'm gonna sneak into the show and do this photo shoot and be happy as hell and not complain about not getting paid. 250 bucks.

Yeah.

That mentality, I think, is very important.

A lot of people will try to tell you that it's like your dream isn't good enough or it's unrealistic, but it might be. It might be unrealistic, it might be crazy, but, like, you're young and you only have so much time to be able to live in that mindset. Because I feel like once you turn past 25, people, like, stop acting dumb, stop dreaming, stop, like, thinking of being. You don't have these youthful ideas anymore. But when you're like 16 years old and you're like, hey, I want to make the next Facebook, you're like, you know what, man? What's stopping you? You really have no barriers. You have to go to school from 8am to 3pm and you might have to go to hockey practice after that. And now you're all free. You can do whatever you want. Like, sure. Research as much as you want.

Sure.

Like, who cares? The kids in high school who make fun of you, Those kids who make fun of you are probably gonna be fucking working at Home depot when they're 40 years.

Yeah.

So, like, I really have. Like, I don't care. Yeah, you gotta lose these Kids are making fun of you now and say that big idea that you had works out.

Yeah.

They're gonna ask you and they're gonna come up to you. Hey, man, I knew you can make it. And it's like, no, you didn't. And that feeling of being able to say that is gonna be so much worth, so much better than being like, oh, my God, they're making fun of me because I want to be. Be an entrepreneur. Like, yeah, fuck those kids. Like, who cares? Yeah.

Did you grow up, like, surrounded by entrepreneurs or. This is like a whole.

So my best friend in high school, him, and his name is Nick Kowalski, if you're listening to this, him and I had this, like, weird chemistry that I feel like is very rare in. I've never met anyone. Like, I've been living in LA for this long, and I have never met anyone who has this with me where we can sit down in a room and you just bounce ideas. We can sit in a room for, like, 10 minutes, and we'll have, like, 40, 40 business ideas. And we have this odd way of just connecting. Yeah. Yeah. And even today, I consult with him. He doesn't live in LA anymore, but him and I just talk every. Like, pretty much every once a week. Like, yo, I have all these ideas and boom, boom, boom, boom. I have anything. I'm struggling with it. He can just help me out. So you got to find that friend who will be there with you guys and tell you that your ideas aren't crazy. And if you have that guy. Because I know a lot of kids who will sit down in, like, a. Like, a circle of their friends and, like, get high or smoke some. Or drink some beer, and they'll be like, I have this idea to be. To make the next Tumblr. And it's like, crazy, right? But when you have that friend who's like, yeah, like, let's do it. That friend is valuable versus having a friend that's like, oh, bro, like, stop. Like, yo, like, stop being dumb. And you have that guy who kills the energy having the friend who sits there and is like, yo, man. Like, maybe not that one, but how about this one? And then you go, hey, how about not that one and this one? You keep spiraling. And now you guys can. There's no judgment. When you have that friend who's too cool to be like, oh, that's dumb. You'll get nowhere and you'll be forever broke, but you have that friend who is. Who wants to be a little crazy with you. Hey, man, like, you never know.

Yeah, that's super dope. That's freaking epic. Is like. So now, how long have you lived in la? Like, four years. Four years?

Yeah.

So in Chicago, growing up, like, did you come to LA a lot? Were you traveling, seeing different things? Like, what brought you to LA and the energy and everything out here? Because obviously it's probably not only helped you so much, but it's, like, been a concrete step to be where you are today. What was that like growing up? Like, did you come out to LA and, like, taste it, Yo, I want to be out there. Or how did that look?

So I don't. Honestly, thinking back on it, I don't think I ever went to la. When I was younger, I always visited my cousins up in San Francisco, Napa Valley area, because we go skiing in Tahoe all the time. But my cousin there, he just had a flag in his room. It was a USC flag. And I was like, I always wanted to go to usc. I knew nothing. And I was like, oh, I guess I want to go to USC too. And NCAA football was a thing that. The video game I always play as usc. I literally had no idea what USC was even. Where was it in la? Was it in San Diego? I didn't even know what the difference in LA and San Diego was. And I guess in high school, when I started getting into film, like, really into film and watching movies every single night, I. I was like, yo, maybe USC is the place, because USC is regarded the best film school in the world. And I was like, well, shit, like, why not give that a try? And I don't know if you know this, but I applied to, like, 20 film schools.

Damn.

And I got rejected by all of them except for usc. And that was like, the craziest day of my life. And that was the excuse to move out to LA.

That's freaking nuts. 20. So that's the best. So it's like, at the end of the day, like, that's the best way you could have won.

Oh, yeah.

Like, what? How did everyone say no? And then that one best one, I have no idea.

I got. I got rejected from this college called Chapman University.

I've heard of Chapman, and it's a.

Pretty good film school. Pretty in the top 10. I got rejected from there. And like a. Like a month ago, they invited me to do a talk at their school.

Yeah, I saw that. Oh, dude. It's like the.

And I definitely had to start it off with, I got rejected from this. And they were like, oh, my God. And all the Students started laughing. It's like, well, I really did.

That's so dope, though.

Yeah, it was sick.

So dope. So I got, like, two more questions for you, man. So it's like, looking back, I think I always like to bring up, like, the people that are listening, right? That's what truly matters within a podcast. And yeah, the more I've gone out and gone to events and seen people that are building their brands, like, they never know how to differentiate, right? They see someone they want to model and, like, try to be like that person. I feel like I got caught up in a lot doing that, where it's like, you see everyone and what you quote, unquote thing works, but you, you block out what is truly you, where you're passing the authenticity, like, and I see that very clearly within your brand in the sense of, like, you are doing you to the maximum, right? So it's like, what would you tell that person that? It's like he feels blocked, he feels stuck, he feels like he only he. He has to try to one up someone that he's watching on social media. Because as you know, bro, there's a bunch of bullshit that, like, people get caught up in, I believe. And it's like, it's not healthy, right? People try to be like this person and don't be their selves. What would you say to that person?

I don't think there's anything wrong with finding a role model or inspiration that you take full throttle. Because if you look back at my old stuff, it looks like a carbon copy. Casey and I stabbed video.

Okay?

And like, Casey Neistat, I feel like, will speak to a lot of young filmmakers. Everyone wants to be Casey Neistat. It gives you an experience of, like, oh, it gives you an opportunity to make videos in your, like, low budget style, yet you don't have a lot of money. But, like, Casey can. If you do his style, it's possible. And for a long time, I just copied him. And I got. You learn a lot. You learn a lot about film. You learn a lot about, like, making things work with what you got. And one day I was like, this is way too similar. And I was like, well, how can I take what I've learned of my, like, literal year of copying Casey Neistat.

Yeah.

And turning it into something of my own. And I started incorporating elements of, like, movies I enjoyed watching. And I was like, okay, now, like, let's. Let's try to make a voice for myself that can be copied. Can someone copy me? And I Have this big theory that if you cannot be copied, you do not have a brand.

And that's so real.

Yeah.

So like shit.

So I started to try to find my thing, what could people copy. And the next thing you know, you developed into this. What I have now and how it's so obvious. If someone makes a copy of my videos and say how that's like, I don't get offended because I know exactly what they're at. I used to do the same thing.

Yeah, that makes sense. I'm talking and I think the biggest thing for me when I do podcasts with somewhere, it's like it allows me just to get to know someone. Right. And what would you say that throughout social media or the content you put out, what would you want someone to know about you that you necessarily don't talk about a lot or you don't just put out there a lot? Cuz the thing everyone has like, you brought up hockey, right? That hit me because I played hockey for 10 years. I was like dope like that just on the hit me. Right? But like, what would you tell to that person that just came across you? If there was one thing you'd want them to know about you and that would stick with them, what would that be?

Okay, I've actually put some thought into this before. A lot of people might think that like minor things that they're doing don't matter, that there will be no significance. One day I, even when I was younger, I'm like, yo, literally there is no point. Why am I doing gymnastics? And then next thing you know, like, I learned how to do flips. I do learn how to do all these like big acrobatic activities.

Yeah.

And then I was in high school and like I just did it because my parents told me to do a sport. And fast forward like a few years, Sam Kolder becomes super popular for doing backflips off of massive cliffs. And I'm like, wait, I can do those flips too. And those little things I did back in high school where I thought would be literally pointless, turned into something. And now I can make videos where I jump off of random cliffs and do a double backflip that I thought back in high school, like doing double backflip, who cares? Like it wasn't the thing, but now it is. And that can be scaled into so many other different avenues of like, of business, of your. Of life. And that's just one example. Like another example might be, yeah, tie back into the sneaking into concerts. Never would have thought sneaking into Concerts, taking photos would lead me into having major co signs for a clothing company one day. Yeah, back in high school, I literally wore vineyard, vines and sperries every day. So I think that I was into streetwear is nuts. Okay, so like, everything you do one day might have a greater purpose. And if it doesn't, oh, well.

Dude, that's freaking epic, man. Thank you so much, man, for all the knowledge, my brother. So that being said, people that are just coming across this podcast that just heard your story, where's the best place for them to connect with you, watch your content? Where should they go to find out more?

Just you can find me on Instagram, usnascalona or YouTube. Justinascalona. All my social medias are just.

I got. Mine are all different. I got my name. It's all good though. But yeah, man. So everyone listening. I really appreciate you tuning in, Justin. Thank you so much, brother, for making this happen. Thank you. This was so last minute and. Yeah, man. Yeah. I just want to say, do people.

Know that we literally met like two minutes before we started recording?

Yeah, like we had to do it fast.

That's crazy.

It's dope, bro. Like, honestly though, like, I just want to say thank you. My buddy. Huge shout out to my buddy Anthony Bertanson as well. Because I remember I used to see a lot of your content that he was showing me all these different videos, like over and over and over. He was just sending me, sending them to me and I was like, dude, this dude, like you're on. And then I saw these different articles come out and like, I saw the thing you spoke at that college that kicked you out. I was like, dude, like, there's a lot of people that are doing it, but I'd like to say, like, the content you're putting out, like, I'm a huge fan. I'm a huge supporter. So I just want to put that out there, man. Cuz you're killing it.

Thank you. I appreciate it.

For sure. So that being said, I just want to say thank you to everyone for tuning into the Build you'd Empire podcast. Make sure you go check out Justin. He's a beast. Go cop some 1340 collective because dude, so fire.

Thank you.

Go check it out. Peace.

Legacy of Monsters. An Apple original series. The world is on fire. I decided to do something about it on November 17th. This place, place, it's not ours. Believe me. The most massive event of the year arrives. If you come with me, you'll know everything. I promise.

My God.

Go Monarch. Legacy of Monsters streaming November 17th only on Apple TV Plus.