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David Bowie T-shirt from Zara; African jacket, custom made by a Tanzanian tailor using Nigerian fabric
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Shoes from Original Penguin
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Johnson isn't one to over-accessorize; sometimes all you need is a watch.
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Organic cotton jeans from Levi's; patchwork shirt made by Johnson's wife
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Organic cotton shirt and velvet blazer from J.Crew
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Johnson is big on sustainably minded brands. His shoes, for example, are from Allbirds, a company that utilizes recycled materials.
The look of a business person is generally stereotyped to include a few basic pieces: a blazer, a tie, a pencil skirt, dress shoes, or pumps.
Marco Johnson likes to think outside the box when it comes to office attire. As the ecosystem network builder at Sparkyard, the University of North Texas Health Science Center’s online resource center for entrepreneurs, Johnson’s job is to connect people starting businesses with the tools they need for success — that means meeting with entrepreneurs and presenting himself as someone approachable, not intimidating.
He sat down with Fort Worth Inc. to chat about his personal style and how it plays into his everyday work.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Fort Worth Inc.: How did you find your personal style? Were you always dressing the way you do now, or was it something you had to discover?
MJ: I grew up in the ’80s. We all just wore jeans and T-shirts. There was no big production about picking the clothes out for the next day or any of that stuff, not in my house anyway, and not most people’s houses that I knew.
I think by the time I got into junior high, when I was around 12, I was looking for some way to express myself and make myself maybe a little bit different from what all the rest of the popular kids are doing, so I got into skateboarding. I dressed like a little skater kid until high school. That was my first, I guess, branching out.
From then on, I think it’s just been anything that’s a little bit out of the ordinary, a little bit off kilter, catchy. I’ve never been afraid to express myself in that way, maybe because I’m so boring on the inside that I have to compensate by being interesting on the outside. [laughs]
Inc.: Nowadays, how would you describe the way you dress to work?
MJ: The approach that I take with this is meeting the entrepreneurs where they are. Most entrepreneurs or business owners are busy. They’re hustling. They’re hoofing it. They’re out there getting stuff done. They don’t necessarily have time to wear a suit or the ability to wear a suit or be really fancy, so it’s pretty casual.
Since I deal with entrepreneurs most days, I want to meet them where they are, be on the same level as them. So, it’s a lot of jeans, usually button-down shirts, but sometimes I wear a T-shirt. Yesterday, one of the things I wore was a David Bowie T-shirt. I love wearing T-shirts of bands and musicians or artists that I’m really into.
I don't want to be this suited-up guy that comes to meet them and tell them about what they need to do with their company, or whom they need to meet, or anything like that. I want to be very approachable and put them at ease.
Inc.: Tell us about the custom piece you wore for this photo shoot.
MJ: My wife is a fashion designer. She graduated from FIT [Fashion Institute of Technology] in New York. In order to qualify for FIT, you have to submit different pieces, so she made me one really cool shirt that I totally love and covet. It’s got snaps because I'm all about pearl snaps. It’s short-sleeved. It’s this really funky pattern. Then, once she got into FIT, she never made me anything again.
Inc.: People always talk about letting your employees bring their full selves into the office because it helps them be more productive. Would you say allowing your employees to dress a little bit more freely would have any effect on how they work?
MJ: Absolutely, yeah. Not to mention just when you’re comfortable, when you can be who you feel you are, I think that affects everything and your relationships in the workplace, all of that stuff.
I lived in D.C. twice over the course of seven years. I had to wear a suit and tie every day. It was really stuffy. It was nice to dress up sometimes, but ultimately, it's not me.
Inc.: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to expand their style?
MJ: Don't be afraid to wear the stuff that you think is cool. Dress the way that you want to. Grow your hair, style it, color it. Do your nails, facial hair, whatever.
We’re a society now that embraces individuality. I think that’s always been a pretty American trait. We see people with tattoos and piercings come into the office. It’s really not anything unusual. I think that’s really cool.
Anybody who’s feeling like they’re trapped or that they’re unable to express themselves, I would say just be courageous and take that step. You’re going to feel better. You’re going to feel more confident. People are going to pick up on that vibe.