Hello everyone it’s been quite sometime that I haven’t done the interview series. I had to work on some things but I am back to bring you some fascinating people.

This week I bring to you someone I have admired for quite sometime because of his business venture and his very in depth sneaker reviews. I remember watching in early January of 2010 him reviewing some very highly sought after Nike SB Bisons. Before this to my knowledge there was no one really reviewing thoroughly Nike SB’s. I had the privilege and pleasure to sit down with Mr. NikeSB6 and chat a little about Suxcess Clothing, sneaker videos, sneakers, and future plans.

How’s it going Mr. NikeSB6, thank you for taking the time with chatting with us from F5ToRefresh. Where are you from originally? Also how did you come up with MrNikeSB6?

• -Thank you for interviewing me and being interested in what I have to say. I just really love Nike SB’s and the “6” is because of where I am from; the Bronx.

First of all I just wanted to say thank you for making some really dope sneaker reviews. What made you start making sneaker reviews in particular Nike SB’s?

• When I started no one was heavy on sneaker reviewing Nike SB’s and just wanted to share my love because no one was doing it. I just felt I had to do it myself. I just wanted to help others making a decision if they had doubt about buying a pair of shoes. I talked about things like the color scheme, quality and the fit of the pair.

How long have you been collecting and how long have you been into kicks?

• I been into kicks for a long time, I started to like kicks since I was 8 years old but changed from consumer to collector and started stacking shoes when I was 13 years old. I did the whole keep you kicks clean with the toothbrush at that time as well. I also got into kicks because of my dad. He was really into shoes, his friends use to call him “Snow Shoes” because he always kept his shoes clean and white.

You started really young in this, I been into sneakers heavy at the same time you were and started doing small jobs to get cash. How did you convince parents to get money for kicks and all?

• I started young man, my pops showed me how to be a hustler and how to make money. My first job was at a hardware store and just worked hard and hustled. When I got older I got myself a different job, got myself an apartment. I spent $500 on rent, some cash here and there on groceries and other stuff and the rest was like$1,500 on sneakers.

Now how did you get into Nike SB’s in particular and just made you start copping more of them?

• It all started when I saw some kid was skating in some Nike SB low Vapors. I didn’t know what they were. I fell in love with the stuffed tongue as well, you didn’t see that on Dunks. I ended up doing my research online later. It was also dope no one else was rocking them where I’m from ‘cuz everyone was rocking J’s.

What was your first pair of Nike SB’s then?

• It was the Nike SB Classic “Grouches” and I still have them to this day and I’ll rock them ’till the soles fall off. Hahaha I buy kicks to wear them.

I know most people have a particular pair of kicks that are their most prized, I’m curious to know first of all what is your most prized SB?

• For most prized SB it would have to be the Nike SB Dunk High Paul Browns or some people call them the “Campers”. I love the color scheme, the brown, blue, and green was dope. The quality of the suede and tongue were dope as well. It’s quality at it’s finest.

Are there other kicks you are interested as well?

• -I’m a big Air Max 1 fan as well. To me it’s all about comfort and the looks. They go hand in hand.

What is your most vivid memory of a pair of kicks, we all have one story that we will always remember.

• -It would have to be a pair of Nike Huarache lows. The color scheme was emerald and yellow. I even had the whole works to match it. I asked my mom and she said no and to go ask my dad. He worked hard and he got them for me. I was so happy when he took me to a spot that had them and they even had my size. It was the perfect size as well. What’s crazy is that on the fucking 4^th day I literally stepped on dog shit and it pissed me off. They were stained forever! It hurt me when my mom had to throw them out and was worried my dad would be pissed because he barely got them for me.

Damn man I could imagine that really hurt!

• -It did. I later got the new Huarache lows that had the same color way because they were my favorite non SB.

Now I been knowing and became a fan of your brand Suxcess clothing for some time. When did you start Suxcess and how did you come up with the idea to start your own brand?

• -I started it back in last year in April. I came up with the name because of my YouTube channel. I got the inspiration from peoples comments either be it a thumbs up or people saying you suck. I took the criticism positive and just to try again and give it 100%. It’s also because everyone in life their goal is to be successful and so do I. You can learn more from criticism. I started making shirts because I noticed most brands were making shirts based on Jordan’s and no one was focusing on SB’s. I wanted to come up with something in my own style. My first design was inspired by all my fans that watch my videos. I just wanted to give thanks for all their support.

So what can we expect from Suxcess later on? Any info or hints for some future stuff?

• -I take my time when I do my shirts and stuff because I always want to give 100% in all I do. You don’t want to half ass things, you know what I mean? Expect more dope designs and some embroidered stuff coming up soon I have a lot of ideas that you guys will see in the near future.

Any last words for all the readers of F5ToRefresh?

R.I.P Dad, I Love you. Thank you for your support and please check out my sites.

Youtube: Youtube.com/MrNikeSB6

Twitter: Twitter.com/MrNikeSB6

SUXCESS Clothing: Suxcessclothing.com

Being blessed to work for F5ToRefresh has blessed me with the opportunity to meet a lot more people and to talk about this blossoming sneaker culture. Last month I was able to chat a bit with Sneakerette . With an amazing personality and a amazing eye for photography she created a blog that I am an avid fan of. She is a great writer and amazing photographer. Without further ado, here is her interview. Enjoy

What’s your name? Tell us a little info about yourself. Hobbies? Favorite Brands? Rep anything?

Hi! My name is Eileen and I’m a student from SoCal–I’ll be working towards a career in Pharmacy after I graduate with my B.S. degree this year! My studies usually keep me super busy, but I like reading up on sneakers, painting my nails, or blogging about both in my free time. I also love cars (imports ftw!) and one of my dreams is to get a mod-friendly car to work on in the future. I like doing photography for fun too, but I don’t see myself getting serious with it. My favorite brands would have to be Nike and Adidas Originals!!!! I have Adidas track jackets in every color, with kicks to match hahaha (:

How long have you been into sneakers?

Hmm it’s hard to say. I’ve always liked sneakers, but when I was younger, I could never have more than one pair at a time. My parents said they were just a waste of money because it was inevitable that I’d grow out of them. Sneakers really caught my attention when I started college, because that’s when I got into breakdancing. The whole scene just got me into kicks, because it was all about expressing yourself, doing things your way, showing off your style and not copying anyone else. I think that’s something that’s been instilled in me, and it shows in the kind of sneakers I pick out for myself.

In my third year, I had to take a break from dance because it was really taking a toll on my studies, but I still had an interest in sneakers. At the time, I didn’t know much—I just kept buying what I liked. And then sometime last year, I got a chance to watch “Just for Kicks”–the documentary about sneakers. That’s when I realized there was a LOT more to sneakers than just the aesthetics. I started reading up more about shoes, and getting to know the culture behind sneakers. I’m sure I’m just scratching at the surface, but yeah, it’s been a journey for me.

Most vivid memory of a particular shoe and/or story behind it?
I remember the stories behind all my shoes, but I think a particularly notable one is of my Adidas x Jeremy Scott 3M Wings. Those are always gonna be the ones that almost got away, lol.

When the 3M Wings came out, I wanted them like none other. I really liked the gold wings that Jeremy Scott came out with way back, but since I totally missed out on those, I was excited to finally have my chance at the 3M ones!! At the time of their release, my friend’s birthday was coming up and I had NO idea what to get him. I knew he really wanted the 2.0 Wings that released with the 3M ones I wanted, so I ended up using my funds to get him the kicks he wanted.

I never regretted making that decision—not even for a moment—because my good friends mean the world to me. But even so, it still sucked because I REALLY wanted those shoes, lol. But anyway, what’s done is done, and I tried forgetting about them (even though I still kept tabs on them, just in case). Then around my birthday the next year, I managed to find a pair that fit me! I ended up copping them with my birthday money. They were meant to be!
What defines a “Sneakerhead” to you?

Well of course, a sneakerhead is someone who loves sneakers! Doesn’t matter how many pairs you own, or the brands you choose to cop. Even though sneakerheads are usually associated with Nike or Jordan, the brand shouldn’t matter, because the term “sneakerhead” refers to all sneakers.

I think it’s also important to have a willingness to learn about the culture and appreciate the story behind a pair, because that’s what’s makes them valuable. Someone could have dozens and dozens of sneakers, but if they don’t know what they got or could care less about them, it’s not worth anything.

A sneakerhead should also have their own judgement when it comes to evaluating sneakers. There are always gonna be haters, so I think it’s important to be able to think for yourself and have your own opinion, regardless of what anyone else says. It’s so easy to just go with the crowd, but why does it even matter if the person you’re buying for is yourself, right?!
What is considered a “Grail” to you? Do you have one? Have it in your collection?
I’d say it’s something that has a really deep sentimental value. That’s something not attainable with all the money in the world, and can never be replaced. I don’t have anything in my collection like that yet, don’t know if I ever will. That’s why the idea of it makes it grail-worthy for me.
Quantity or quality? Why?
Quality, it’s more worth it in the long run.
What’s one thing you would like to change or fix in the sneaker culture?

Maybe it’s just what I’ve seen, but I find it to be really intimidating? Seems like there’s a lot of negativity… whether it’s people hating on a particular release, or someone putting down someone else for whatever reason. I don’t want to be judged for my collection, I just like what I like. But then again, I don’t know very many sneaker addicts (in person), so maybe it’s just the bad apples skewing my perception haha.
Last words?
Thanks for including me in your interviews! (And sorry for the long answers. I didn’t intend for them to be so lengthy!)

Twitter  @theSneakerette
Or catch me on my blog  sneakerette.blogspot.com!