Matt Im
Meet this passionate Power Player
Matt Im is the co-founder of Yushu, a streetwear and lifestyle brand, as well as a photographer, producer, and brand growth strategist. He recently collaborated with Reebok on Nothin’ But Net, a project that worked to re-net basketball courts in Toronto.
Matt Im is the co-founder of Yushu, a streetwear and lifestyle brand, as well as a photographer, producer, and brand growth strategist. He recently collaborated with Reebok on Nothin’ But Net, a project that worked to re-net basketball courts in Toronto.
"I feel passionate when I’m able to share myself and it be understood by someone else."
"I feel passionate when I’m able to share myself and it be understood by someone else."
Where did your journey start?
Hmmm... I’m not really sure how to answer this question. I don’t know when the journey started, but I know the first time I was inspired was when I heard music for the first time. It triggered something in me that I had never experienced before. A feeling of wonder and curiosity. It was magic. That feeling is what I chase in everything I do and it’s at the beginning of every journey.
What are you doing when you feel most passionate?
When I feel most passionate, it’s usually when I am trying to express myself. It’s not necessarily in the form of written words or spoken out loud. It normally comes out through art. Photography, design, playlists, cooking. I feel passionate when I’m able to share myself and it be understood by someone else.
What are you celebrating this year?
This year I’m celebrating and cherishing the small moments in life I took for granted. Everything from laughing with friends, a nice home cooked meal, spending rainy days listening to music, going for a walk. There’s so much to be thankful and appreciative of, I’m just so happy that I can continue to live life and experience it all.
Hmmm... I’m not really sure how to answer this question. I don’t know when the journey started, but I know the first time I was inspired was when I heard music for the first time. It triggered something in me that I had never experienced before. A feeling of wonder and curiosity. It was magic. That feeling is what I chase in everything I do and it’s at the beginning of every journey.
What are you doing when you feel most passionate?
When I feel most passionate, it’s usually when I am trying to express myself. It’s not necessarily in the form of written words or spoken out loud. It normally comes out through art. Photography, design, playlists, cooking. I feel passionate when I’m able to share myself and it be understood by someone else.
What are you celebrating this year?
This year I’m celebrating and cherishing the small moments in life I took for granted. Everything from laughing with friends, a nice home cooked meal, spending rainy days listening to music, going for a walk. There’s so much to be thankful and appreciative of, I’m just so happy that I can continue to live life and experience it all.
Where did your journey start?
Hmmm... I’m not really sure how to answer this question. I don’t know when the journey started, but I know the first time I was inspired was when I heard music for the first time. It triggered something in me that I had never experienced before. A feeling of wonder and curiosity. It was magic. That feeling is what I chase in everything I do and it’s at the beginning of every journey.
What are you doing when you feel most passionate?
When I feel most passionate, it’s usually when I am trying to express myself. It’s not necessarily in the form of written words or spoken out loud. It normally comes out through art. Photography, design, playlists, cooking. I feel passionate when I’m able to share myself and it be understood by someone else.
What are you celebrating this year?
This year I’m celebrating and cherishing the small moments in life I took for granted. Everything from laughing with friends, a nice home cooked meal, spending rainy days listening to music, going for a walk. There’s so much to be thankful and appreciative of, I’m just so happy that I can continue to live life and experience it all.
Hmmm... I’m not really sure how to answer this question. I don’t know when the journey started, but I know the first time I was inspired was when I heard music for the first time. It triggered something in me that I had never experienced before. A feeling of wonder and curiosity. It was magic. That feeling is what I chase in everything I do and it’s at the beginning of every journey.
What are you doing when you feel most passionate?
When I feel most passionate, it’s usually when I am trying to express myself. It’s not necessarily in the form of written words or spoken out loud. It normally comes out through art. Photography, design, playlists, cooking. I feel passionate when I’m able to share myself and it be understood by someone else.
What are you celebrating this year?
This year I’m celebrating and cherishing the small moments in life I took for granted. Everything from laughing with friends, a nice home cooked meal, spending rainy days listening to music, going for a walk. There’s so much to be thankful and appreciative of, I’m just so happy that I can continue to live life and experience it all.
What advice do you have for people wanting to start something in 2021?
If you are going to start something in 2021, make sure it has a purpose. It’s okay if you don’t necessarily have a complete plan, and it’s okay if you don’t know what the end goal is. The only thing I’ll say is to come from an intentional and thoughtful place. Take time to think about why you’re starting something and it’ll bring more clarity throughout the process.
Yushu’s ‘Nothing But Net’ Initiative to re-net Toronto’s basketball nets is innovative and altruistic. How do you think brands should be giving back?
Building a brand involves creating an emotional connection between the end customer and the business. There’s more at stake than just trying to make profit. When businesses understand that creating a community, creating real connection, and creating thoughtful experiences is what helps them win in the long term, then it only makes sense that they should be giving back. Brands should be investing time, money, and resources to help make the world a better place. They can give back in many ways, but bottom line is that they should all be doing something.
If you are going to start something in 2021, make sure it has a purpose. It’s okay if you don’t necessarily have a complete plan, and it’s okay if you don’t know what the end goal is. The only thing I’ll say is to come from an intentional and thoughtful place. Take time to think about why you’re starting something and it’ll bring more clarity throughout the process.
Yushu’s ‘Nothing But Net’ Initiative to re-net Toronto’s basketball nets is innovative and altruistic. How do you think brands should be giving back?
Building a brand involves creating an emotional connection between the end customer and the business. There’s more at stake than just trying to make profit. When businesses understand that creating a community, creating real connection, and creating thoughtful experiences is what helps them win in the long term, then it only makes sense that they should be giving back. Brands should be investing time, money, and resources to help make the world a better place. They can give back in many ways, but bottom line is that they should all be doing something.
What advice do you have for people wanting to start something in 2021?
If you are going to start something in 2021, make sure it has a purpose. It’s okay if you don’t necessarily have a complete plan, and it’s okay if you don’t know what the end goal is. The only thing I’ll say is to come from an intentional and thoughtful place. Take time to think about why you’re starting something and it’ll bring more clarity throughout the process.
Yushu’s ‘Nothing But Net’ Initiative to re-net Toronto’s basketball nets is innovative and altruistic. How do you think brands should be giving back?
Building a brand involves creating an emotional connection between the end customer and the business. There’s more at stake than just trying to make profit. When businesses understand that creating a community, creating real connection, and creating thoughtful experiences is what helps them win in the long term, then it only makes sense that they should be giving back. Brands should be investing time, money, and resources to help make the world a better place. They can give back in many ways, but bottom line is that they should all be doing something.
If you are going to start something in 2021, make sure it has a purpose. It’s okay if you don’t necessarily have a complete plan, and it’s okay if you don’t know what the end goal is. The only thing I’ll say is to come from an intentional and thoughtful place. Take time to think about why you’re starting something and it’ll bring more clarity throughout the process.
Yushu’s ‘Nothing But Net’ Initiative to re-net Toronto’s basketball nets is innovative and altruistic. How do you think brands should be giving back?
Building a brand involves creating an emotional connection between the end customer and the business. There’s more at stake than just trying to make profit. When businesses understand that creating a community, creating real connection, and creating thoughtful experiences is what helps them win in the long term, then it only makes sense that they should be giving back. Brands should be investing time, money, and resources to help make the world a better place. They can give back in many ways, but bottom line is that they should all be doing something.
"Patience. Good things take time, great things take even longer. Slow down, enjoy the work, and make real authentic connections."
"Patience. Good things take time, great things take even longer. Slow down, enjoy the work, and make real authentic connections."
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I would tell my younger self two things:
1) Be kind to everyone including yourself
2) This is the youngest you’ll ever be, so try to live in the moment and enjoy all that you have
How do you power your time?
The way I power my time is by first, not letting it control me. I do my best to not overload my calendar, over promise, or allow things to make me feel rushed or stressed. In order for me to be the best version of myself, it requires a lot of me time.
Time to sleep, cook, eat properly, exercise, listen to music, see my friends, and work on things I’m passionate about. This past year taught me that I can’t control time, but I can control how I use it. Saying no is okay. Setting boundaries is healthy. Focusing on your needs is not selfish.
Simply put, I spend my time trying to be happy. If it brings me joy and makes me a better human, I make time for it. If it doesn’t, then I don’t.
I would tell my younger self two things:
1) Be kind to everyone including yourself
2) This is the youngest you’ll ever be, so try to live in the moment and enjoy all that you have
How do you power your time?
The way I power my time is by first, not letting it control me. I do my best to not overload my calendar, over promise, or allow things to make me feel rushed or stressed. In order for me to be the best version of myself, it requires a lot of me time.
Time to sleep, cook, eat properly, exercise, listen to music, see my friends, and work on things I’m passionate about. This past year taught me that I can’t control time, but I can control how I use it. Saying no is okay. Setting boundaries is healthy. Focusing on your needs is not selfish.
Simply put, I spend my time trying to be happy. If it brings me joy and makes me a better human, I make time for it. If it doesn’t, then I don’t.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I would tell my younger self two things:
1) Be kind to everyone including yourself
2) This is the youngest you’ll ever be, so try to live in the moment and enjoy all that you have
How do you power your time?
The way I power my time is by first, not letting it control me. I do my best to not overload my calendar, over promise, or allow things to make me feel rushed or stressed. In order for me to be the best version of myself, it requires a lot of me time.
Time to sleep, cook, eat properly, exercise, listen to music, see my friends, and work on things I’m passionate about. This past year taught me that I can’t control time, but I can control how I use it. Saying no is okay. Setting boundaries is healthy. Focusing on your needs is not selfish.
Simply put, I spend my time trying to be happy. If it brings me joy and makes me a better human, I make time for it. If it doesn’t, then I don’t.
I would tell my younger self two things:
1) Be kind to everyone including yourself
2) This is the youngest you’ll ever be, so try to live in the moment and enjoy all that you have
How do you power your time?
The way I power my time is by first, not letting it control me. I do my best to not overload my calendar, over promise, or allow things to make me feel rushed or stressed. In order for me to be the best version of myself, it requires a lot of me time.
Time to sleep, cook, eat properly, exercise, listen to music, see my friends, and work on things I’m passionate about. This past year taught me that I can’t control time, but I can control how I use it. Saying no is okay. Setting boundaries is healthy. Focusing on your needs is not selfish.
Simply put, I spend my time trying to be happy. If it brings me joy and makes me a better human, I make time for it. If it doesn’t, then I don’t.
"In 5 years I see myself doing something similar to what I am doing now: being creative and being happy."
"In 5 years I see myself doing something similar to what I am doing now: being creative and being happy."
"My favourite watch is the Matte White. It’s classic, it’s timeless, and it’s easy to wear with any outfit."
"My favourite watch is the Matte White. It’s classic, it’s timeless, and it’s easy to wear with any outfit."
