Shawn Poe of Cleveland on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Shawn Poe shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Shawn , thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
“Man, no two days are the same for me, but the energy’s always the same — locked in and moving forward. Most mornings I’m starting the day at Kush and Coffee with my pops, making sure the vibe’s right for the customers and the business is running smooth. From there, I’m bouncing between my worlds — one minute I’m on a call about the Serial Killer Killer film script, the next I’m reviewing designs for my French Quarters or Kartel Klothing lines, then switching over to music mode, writing, or locking in ideas for my next drop.

I keep my fitness and health in the mix too — that discipline feeds the creativity. Even on my downtime, my mind’s still running through ideas: how to make the next move bigger than the last. It’s not a 9-to-5, it’s a 24/7 lifestyle where I’m building businesses, telling stories, making art, and keeping every lane moving. That’s my normal — creating, grinding, and stacking wins every single day.”

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Shawn Poe — known to many as “P” — is a Cleveland-born creative force who wears many hats and wears them well. As a filmmaker, musician, fashion designer, and entrepreneur, he’s built a lifestyle where art, business, and vision collide. From developing gripping scripts like Serial Killer Killer, to leading clothing brands like French Quarters and Kartel Klothing 216, to creating luxury scents with his “Master” cologne line, P approaches every project with the same precision and passion.

When he’s not in creative mode, you can find him running Kush and Coffee alongside his father, crafting the perfect vibe for customers while still plotting his next move. His days are fueled by discipline, from fitness and meal prepping to late-night brainstorming sessions. For P, it’s never just about one hustle — it’s about building a legacy, telling stories that matter, and inspiring others to push past limits.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
“Before the world tried to tell me who I had to be, I was just a kid with big dreams and a wild imagination. I didn’t see limits — I saw possibilities. I was the one drawing designs in the margins of my notebooks, making up stories in my head, and hearing music in everyday life. I wasn’t worried about fitting into a lane because I didn’t know there were lanes.

Life tried to box me in, but deep down I never lost that kid who believed he could do it all — and that’s who I tapped back into as an adult. That’s why I move how I move now. I’m not here to play a role somebody else wrote for me. I’m here to write my own script and live it out loud.”

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
“Suffering taught me patience, resilience, and how to move when the lights are off and nobody’s clapping. Success can make you comfortable — suffering makes you resourceful. It forces you to learn who you really are when there’s no applause, no money, and no safety net.

I learned how to listen more, trust my instincts, and value the small wins. Suffering stripped away my ego and made me focus on the mission instead of the moment. Success never gave me that — it never had to. The pain built my foundation; the wins just decorate it.”

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
If you asked my closest friend, they’d probably say what really matters to me is building a legacy and taking care of my people. I’m big on family, on making sure my kids see me pushing forward, and on creating something that lasts — whether that’s through business, creative projects, or just the example I set. They’d also tell you I value loyalty and authenticity. I don’t put on a front; I work hard, stay consistent, and keep my word. At the end of the day, what matters most to me is leaving something behind that shows I didn’t just exist — I built, I inspired, and I took care of mine.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
Something I understand deeply that most people don’t is the difference between the signal and the noise in my own head. A lot of people get caught up in distractions, overthinking, or doubting themselves, but I’ve learned to tune into what really matters. I’d say I operate at about 80% signal and 20% noise. That means most of my focus is locked in on discipline, work ethic, and moving forward, while the small amount of noise is just background I don’t let control me. That awareness shapes how I live every day — I know how to separate what’s important from what’s just static, and it keeps me consistent, productive, and clear-minded no matter what I’m doing.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @shawnpoe216

Image Credits
Megadon216