In a oportunist “me” world, DaMarcus Morton stands out as someone who genuinely has other people’s best interests at heart. Heading up the hip fashion label LuV’D By MeNy, Morton aims to inspire others and help them whenever he can.
He’s also a Life’s Coach– and no, that is not a typo! As he explains in the interview below, there’s a very big difference between a Life Coach and a Life’s Coach. We hope you will find him as inspiring as we do.
Here is our interview with him….
Celebzter: You hail from the Midwest and just one day decided to pack up, leave and head to L.A… was there planning that went into this, or was just more of instinctual thing?
DaMarcus Morton: Not much planning. I made the decision about 3 months prior to college graduation. I had a friend in Seattle at the time so off I went!
Celebzter: And why L.A?
DaMarcus Morton: While in Seattle, I met my best friend. Two years later he was transferred to LA for work. Neither of us really thought about living in LA, but the opportunity presented itself to him and he took it, so that opportunity became my opportunity and I came a few months after.
Celebzter: Those first few months must have been relatively tough, right? Finding work, finding a home etc…can you go through it a little with us…
DaMarcus Morton: Seattle’s transition was tougher than LA’s. Seattle I had to learn to be independent. I was a “momma’s boy” so leaving my family behind was difficult. I also didn’t have the tools I needed to be successful sooner so I struggled for a while in Seattle. I didn’t know how to look for a job, manage my finances and there were unresolved issues of my past that began to emerge. Then one day I got tired of being “stuck” and decided to open the yellow pages and cold call youth programs which was my working experience. One of the first calls I made I was given an interview and the following week I was working. I acquired a valuable tool that day.
LA was simpler to transition into because by the time I left Seattle, I had all the tools I needed be successful somewhere else. Making friends has always been easy so that was no problem. I stayed with my best friend for about 6 months while I explored the city and looked for work leisurely. As the saving began to run low, I looked for work more intently as I had learned how to do and then started looking for a roommate. It all seemed to work seamlessly which also confirmed to me that I was on the right path.
Celebzter: What was your training/ background?
DaMarcus Morton: My background is in education and experience. I graduated from the University of Akron in 2001, but it was overcoming MANY circumstances which has made me an effective counselor.
Celebzter: So which came first? The Life’s Coach or the fashion label?
DaMarcus Morton: I’ve been working in social services for a company/organization for more than 10 years so that has definitely come first. The idea to step out on my own and create the Life’s Coach Company (DaMarcusMorton.com) came while I was starting the fashion brand. I created an after care program for Sober College a few years back and decided I could also do this on my own with a different population so both sites launched on my birthday Jan 11th in 2012. It was synonymous to a new birth for me and my new direction.
Celebzter: How are both entwined?
DaMarcus Morton: I wondered this myself. I learned long ago that all my experiences were preparing me for my current role as a counselor. Then the idea of LuV’d By MENy came up years ago, but I never did anything with it. I always loved matching clothes and trying new outrageous outfits so fashion was always there, but I didn’t want to betray my purpose. It initially wasn’t clear to me how they would work together, but I went with it as I’ve always done and it made sense later. My brand represents what I teach. I believe this brand will create a larger platform for me to do what I’ve always done, counselor or help others. I’ve worked in most areas of social services for someone else, now it’s time to do it my way.
Celebzter: Ok, breaking this up now into two separate entities
The LuV’d By MENy label
Celebzter: What is the inspiration behind the brand?
DaMarcus Morton: To grow my brand and increase my territory. I want to be able to reach and help more people.
Celebzter: The t-shirts are really, really cool….i imagine they have been a huge success?
DaMarcus Morton: We’re in the climb. Six months in we’ve gotten some good press, but we’re still working on putting the word out there which is why I appreciate you doing this interview.
Celebzter: And you are certainly sending some good vibes out their with the message on them… so, we’re guessing that’s the intention of it?
DaMarcus Morton: Absolutely. I believe the love you give is the love you get, so being loved by many just speaks to the person you are. In my counseling work, that is what I strive to teach my clients, love yourself and others and the result is beautiful. We have a great campaign coming up VERY soon “JuSt LuV” which will echo our brand. We’re going to be announcing our partnership soon.
DaMarcus Morton: Yes. As the brand grows, I’d definitely like to expand into different avenues of fashion. I love shoes and underwear so maybe you’ll see that soon!
Celebzter: Which one celebrity would you love to wear your fashion items?
DaMarcus Morton: I’ve said this in an interview before, Lady Gaga. I absolutely love her freedom of expression and individuality. People love her for that. It is her light and the energy that she puts out that generates the response of being LuVd By MENy.
Celebzter: What is your advice to others looking at going into the fashion world?
DaMarcus Morton: My advice would be to stand by your brand. Even if sometimes it doesn’t seem to fit or make sense, stand by it. It’ll all make sense later.Being a Life’s Coach
Celebzter: How did this career path come about?
DaMarcus Morton: I created this company to help others yes, but to also generate income to support the building of my fashion brand. I’m using my gift to my advantage to increase my gifting.
Celebzter: You’re very clear to differentiate yourself between being a life’s coach, not a life coach…..can you explain the difference
DaMarcus Morton: I believe we all have a life inside of us that deserves to be lived. If you’re living, your life has a purpose. A lot of the times we don’t know what that is or can’t recognize it but it exist. That is the part of people I want to speak to. I look past the dysfunction and what is present externally and try to help people reach that inner life and see things through new eyes.
Celebzter: Simply put for the readers out there, what is Negative Regression?
DaMarcus Morton: When one negative emotion/experience allows you to dig into more negative emotions or experiences. I.E. A breakup, you can choose to take something from the situation and apply it to your life so that the next relationship is better
in your next relationship and you begin to look for reasons to justify why you feel the way you do and so on. Some relationships end because of the other person yes, then the practice becomes, understanding that it probably wasn’t where you’re ultimately supposed to end up.
Celebzter: And you top 5 ways to beat it
DaMarcus Morton
- Understand that everything happens the way it is supposed to happen for your benefit. Life doesn’t happen to you, it happens for you.
- Don’t adopt the negative opinions or attitudes of another person, define who you are without outside input
- Do not allow ego to conduct your life
- Focus on the good you have, it multiplies
- Love anyway!
Celebzter: Do you think everyone in their lives will encounter Negative Regression?
DaMarcus Morton: Only if they have bad teachers.
Celebzter: And, what is your best advice to those who are going through a difficult time in their lives and don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak?
DaMarcus Morton: Experience the emotion of this situation. Don’t try to cover it up or shy away from it because it is making you a teacher. Once you overcome this situation, you will have a testimony to share which will liberate someone else. That is the greatest feeling in the world.
Celebzter: Lastly, what is your motto for life?
DaMarcus Morton: Today I will make a conscious effort to give myself freely to the purpose that is bigger than me. I will not let ego or attitude hinder God’ plan.
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