Does fearlessness run in a person’s DNA? How about determination? Well, meet Milan Miyla Tyson, a rising star in the sport of tennis and the daughter of legendary boxer Mike Tyson. The young Gen-Z athlete with the caption for life “unapologetically fearless!” has created and launched the Milan Miyla activewear brand in 2021. The brand combines her first and middle name, bringing her originality to create athleisurewear pieces in a comfortable yet stylish way. The brand celebrates the diversity of all shapes, sizes, and colors, and most importantly, is absolutely unapologetically fearless! We got a chance to sit with Milan to talk with her about how everything started.
What inspired you to create an active brand?
I AM A HIGH-PERFORMANCE JUNIOR TENNIS PLAYER. MY GOAL IS TO BE A PROFESSIONAL TENNIS PLAYER IN THE FUTURE, SO BASICALLY, ALL OF MY TIME IS SPENT IN WORKOUT CLOTHES BECAUSE MOST OF MY TIME I AM TRAINING. I LOVE FASHION AND WAS TIRED OF JUST LOOKING LIKE I CAME FROM THE GYM (EVEN THOUGH I DID). SO I CREATED MILAN MIYLA (MIYLA, PRONOUNCED “MILA” IS MY MIDDLE NAME) AS A SOLUTION FOR ATHLETIC/BUSY PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF THAT WANT NICE COMFORTABLE OPTIONS THAT DON’T LOOK LIKE JUST ORDINARY GYM CLOTHES. I WANTED TO HAVE COMFORTABLE STATEMENT PIECES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD AND SPECIAL BUT FIT A BUSY LIFESTYLE THAT NEEDS TO HAVE COMFORT AS A PRIORITY.
What does it feel like to be launching your own business at such a young age?
THE BEST THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME IS BEING ABLE TO INSPIRE OTHER YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS. YOU ARE NEVER TOO YOUNG TO EXECUTE ON YOUR VISION AND DREAMS. I AM TWELVE YEARS OLD AND MANY WOULD THINK THAT’S TOO YOUNG. I AM A PART OF EVERY DECISION OF MY BRAND FROM DESIGN, MANUFACTURING, AND MARKETING. I HAVE HAD YOUNGER PEOPLE COME UP TO ME AND SAY THAT INSPIRED THEM TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT MAKING THEIR VISION A BUSINESS.
What sets your brand apart from others?
MILAN MIYLA IS A BRAND THAT CELEBRATES DIVERSITY OF ALL SHAPES, SIZES, AND COLORS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, IS ABSOLUTELY UNAPOLOGETICALLY FEARLESS!
What goals do you have for the future of your brand?
I’M STILL YOUNG AND EMERGING AS AN INDIVIDUAL AND A BRAND BUT IN MY DAILY LIFE I PRACTICE KINDNESS AND COMPASSION. I AM WORKING ON MY NON-PROFIT WHICH WILL BE TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS TO THINK BIG.
What has being a young entrepreneur taught you the most about yourself?
BEING A YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR IS GREAT BUT THE VISION OF MY BRAND TO INSPIRE PEOPLE ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE “UNAPOLOGETICALLY FEARLESS” IN THEIR APPROACH TO EVERYTHING THEY SEEK TO DO IS A DEFINING PRINCIPLE OF MY COMPANY. YOUNG PEOPLE ARE TOO OFTEN TAUGHT TO APOLOGIZE FOR HAVING THOUGHTS OUTSIDE OF THE NORM AND THROUGH MY BRAND I PLAN TO CONTINUE INSPIRING INDIVIDUALITY.
Who was your guidance through the process of starting a business?
MY MOTHER HELPED ME. SHE SAID IT’S IMPORTANT TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR SO SHE HAS HELPED ME ALONG THIS JOURNEY WITH THE BUSINESS STUFF.
What can we expect next from you?
I’M ON INSTAGRAM @MILANTYSON OR MY CLOTHING BRAND @MILANMIYLA (ON INSTA, FACEBOOK AND TIK TOK)
