Jeff Cole: Ikonick
Jeff Cole is a digital artist and the co-founder of Ikonick, an online retailer of entrepreneur-inspired art and canvas prints.
Growing up in Chicago in the 90s, Jeff was the “art kid” and always had a passion for creating. He majored in Illustration in college and had a deep interest in what was happening in pop culture, citing Michael Jordan as his biggest idol. This would eventually lead to the inspiration behind his art.
Before going in full-time on Ikonick in 2016 with his partner, Mark Brazil (hear his story on Episode 41!), Jeff was working various jobs as a graphic designer but ultimately hit a wall in his career. After noticing the wave of digital art and the rise of Instagram as a distribution platform, Jeff taught himself how to use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop and the rest is history.
Today, he’s amassed over 500,000 followers on Instagram and has partnered with the likes of Gary Vaynerchuk and Scooter Braun to help grow Ikonick to become a global, household brand.
In this episode, Pat & Posh hung out with Jeff in their brand new DTLA office to hear about his upbringing, breaking into the art scene, meeting his co-founder Mark, and the moment he realized Ikonick was on its way to becoming a successful business.
We also chat about Jeff’s approach to creating, how he has maintained his killer instinct and optimism through difficult times, finding your purpose, what success means to him, and what’s in the works for himself and Ikonick. He also shares what the owl symbol represents for him and why he’s just not into the traditional art gallery.
PROMO CODE ALERT! Head on over to ikonick.com/thefounderhour and use the code FOUNDER15 for 15% off your next order!
Jeff Cole: @cole
Ikonick: @ikonick
The Founder Hour: @thefounderhour
Pat: @patricktanahan
Posh: @posh
