WINCHESTER, Va. (WHSV) – For many university students, nights are usually spent studying or doing homework. For Myklin Davis, a sophomore at Shenandoah University studying business, she spends many of her nights painting custom shoes ordered by people across the country.
Myklin believes first impressions are made through the shoes they wear. Outfits are coordinated through shoes and can make an outfit pop.
“Everybody is unique and everybody deserves to wear their heart on their shoe,” she said.
Unlike many of her classmates, she’s ahead of the game. When she goes into class, learning about business theory, she said she hopes her experience with customizing shoes and running her personal business will help her excel in her studies. Her clients range from high school friends, to legendary NBA superstar Vince Carter.
“I loved the idea of wearing colorful bright shoes,” She said. “One of my favorite things is that that’s one of the first things you notice about people is their shoes. Being able to sell shoes and give them ot people and give people that experience that I loved so much was one of the reasons I wanted to make it into a business.”
Since Myklin was a young girl, she said she loved crazy shoes. It gave her an outlet to express herself and stand out from the crowd. To her, painting shoes is an art she wears proudly.
“I’ve always pained, drawn or anything. Being able to wear it out in public and have people ask me about it and be interested or curious or ask if I have a business care has just been so exciting,” She said. “I get to share what I love with people and people are genuinely interested and have really good conversations.”
Myklin said painting shoes help her connect to the world around her and learn more about herself.
“Making those really deep personal connections and making something so special to them and sacred to their family or themselves, it’s the reason I’ve continued doing it and will continue doing it,” She said. “I just love seeing people fall in love with their memories, their experiences and their design they wanted.”
She started painting shoes in 2020, during the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic. She said during that time, she struggled deeply with mental health issues. Painting shoes was a way to outlet her feelings and share her desire to make art during her struggles. Those shoes comforted her when she felt alone and allowed her to show the world who Myklin Davis is.
“The colorfulness. the loudness, the creativity, as much as I love a pair of blank white shoes because I get to paint on them,” Myklin said. “I just love giving meaning to them and givi9ng myself personal meaning, giving myself that definition that I can be an artist.”
Myklin said the people around her have been extremely supportive. Even when she makes mistakes, her friends and family have been with her through her journey. However, Myklin said the person who would be the most proud of her would be her ten-year-old self.
“Ten year old me was rocking some turquoise high tops with leopard print,” She said. “I was always trying to find the coolest shoes, I think she would be very proud. I’ve been through many many things since that time. Finding stability for myself and a passion and love for myself in a passion, I think she would be very very proud of.”
People can visit Myklin on her Tiktok and Instagram pages, @madebymyklin.
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