How to Pick A One Percenter: An Intro

By: A Young Taikun

Insta: @BlackTaikunProject

How I Picked

If you ask a simple task of someone, their response will tell you everything you need to know.

I’ve had this concept of a 1%er in my mind for a long time, and when people hear it, naturally, their first thought is: higher net worth than 99% of the population, but it’s not that.

1%ers have a mentality that money couldn’t dream of buying. It’s a wealth of knowledge, creativity, soul + imagination, and it speaks a language that fiscal currency couldn’t begin to comprehend.

I’m not qualified enough to just choose people I think are worthy of this title, but I didn’t have to. I quickly learned that people decide for themselves. It was so simple. I randomly sent as many people as I could think of a letter on a Thursday with details and instructions. I then lied to every single one of them saying I needed their writing by Sunday night at the latest (I didn’t). Here’s what my experiment taught me:

There are 5 main types of people when you ask for something:

1. People who deliver ASAP no questions asked except, “where do I submit it?”

2. People who never respond bc they’re intimidated by the request or simply aren’t interested.

3. The uber creatives who overthink the entire thing and give the ole’ “I'll try”.

4. The perfectionists who want to do it, but need more time.

5. The yes men who agree but don't deliver, ever, or even contact you after the date you mentioned.

I picked two perfectionists, and all 5 of the ones who just did the damn thing no questions asked. They weren’t worried about being perfect, late, or relevant. They just showed up and gave me something and it was dope. I immediately knew they were outliers in some way and I hope you enjoy getting to briefly invade the mind of someone special as much as I did. I only asked for 1 revision because it was so good I wanted a little more, otherwise I didn’t edit them. I wanted their raw thoughts exposed.

Thank you Michelle, Zack, Charles, Manny, Giana, Fariso, & Omari and welcome to the Taikun club!!! You deemed yourself a 1%er (you are exactly 1% of the people I asked to write).

Here is the letter I wrote:

Happy to welcome you to The Black Taikun[Ty·coon] Project.

We produce a mixed collection of entertainment and merchandise for the underdogs AND the ones on top. The dreamers AND the ones who haven’t had a chance to dream yet. The confused, the hopeful, the game changers, the doers, the insatiably curious, the moonlighters, and the ones ready to break barriers and shatter misconceptions. For the kids doodling in the back of the classrooms and the ones who are inspired by the art they see. For the people who don’t want to escape reality, but connect with it on a deeper level, or even better, create their own. We’re here for the major L’s and the insane victories. In this world everything can and will happen... We don’t believe in ceilings, and the sky is just the beginning.

_________________________________________________________________

The real magic happens when people are gathered sharing stories. That’s why this digital campfire (AKA digital journal) is so important because each month it will be full of life stories and thoughts from exceptional minds.

This sector of the project is called The Mind of a 1 Percenter. A 1 Percenter in The Black Taikun world is a top tier thinker. Someone dedicated to sharing stories, knowledge, and is unafraid to touch down in uncharted territories and explore the vastness of uncertainty. Let go of trying to control your thoughts and filters. Speak your mind, tell your truth, and pride yourself on curiosity—but more important than anything be Relentlessly Unconventional.

Enjoy Volume 1 and share your opinion. It’s so necessary!

Xo,

A Young Taikun