Today we’d like to introduce you to Michel Asperas.
Hi Michel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started my sneaker collecting journey back in 2011 when I fell in love with the Nike Air Max 90. I soon turned my passion for sneakers into my first company, Archangel Kicks, in June 2013, after spending about a year restoring, creating, and selling custom shoes (most notably the ‘Galaxy’ Vans).
I then worked tirelessly to produce a wide range of hand-done custom sneakers over the next several years. As time progressed, Archangel Kicks began building an inventory of various sneaker releases for sale as well. I would travel to different Sneaker Shows to share and sell my custom shoes, clothing, and sought-after sneakers.
Shortly after moving from Georgia to Texas to attend the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin, I rebranded and launched a new company, Archangel Hype, in 2018. The new company would pivot to strictly product sales. The “Kicks” name was changed to “Hype” as my inventory began to include popular streetwear brand apparel and accessories.
Fast forward to June 2023—10 years since the official launch of Archangel Kicks, I rebranded the company into what it is today: Archangel Authentics. It aims to provide a limitless future for the continued growth and improvement of the company. While I still maintain roots in the world of sneakers and streetwear, Archangel Authentics has expanded into and prioritized the worlds of luxury watches, high fashion, designer goods, and more.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I think that’s part of what has made the journey so rewarding. One of the biggest challenges has been being a one-person operation and having to wear so many different hats at once. There’s always something that needs to be done, and finding a healthy work-life balance can be difficult when you’re responsible for every aspect of the business.
The industry itself is also constantly changing. Fashion trends shift, new sales channels and platforms emerge, and consumer preferences can change almost overnight. I’ve had to continually adapt and learn how to evolve the business without losing sight of what made it unique in the first place.
There has also been a physical side to the journey that I don’t think people always see. Over the years, I’ve participated in countless trade shows and events, and the travel, setup, long hours, and constant interaction can really take a toll. At the same time, expanding into new product categories has meant becoming a student all over again. Watches and horology are a great example—I’ve spent a tremendous amount of time educating myself and deep diving into everything from the history and mechanics of watches to the nuances of different brands, models, and markets.
But honestly, my biggest struggle has been learning when to slow down. When you’re passionate about what you’re building, it’s easy to keep pushing yourself and convince yourself that you can always do more. One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to learn is that working harder isn’t always the answer, especially when it comes at the expense of your own well-being. Avoiding burnout and finding a sustainable way to continue growing the business has probably been one of my biggest challenges—and something I’m still working on today.
As you know, we’re big fans of Archangel Authentics . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Please tell us more about your business or organization. What should we know? What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for? What sets you apart from others? What are you most proud brand wise? What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc.?
Archangel Authentics is essentially the evolution of more than a decade of my passion for collecting, fashion, and the communities that surround them. I started the business with sneakers and streetwear, but over the years my interests naturally expanded into luxury watches, high fashion, vintage designer goods, accessories, and other collectible pieces. Today, we’re focused on bringing all of those worlds together under one roof for people who genuinely appreciate the products and the stories behind them.
At its core, Archangel Authentics is an online destination where enthusiasts can buy, sell, and explore authentic sneakers, streetwear, designer fashion, and watches. We carry everything from sought-after sneaker releases and vintage streetwear to luxury timepieces from brands like Rolex, Cartier, Omega, and others. We also have a particular appreciation for unique and harder-to-find pieces—the kinds of items that have a story, a history, or simply something about them that makes them stand out.
What I think really sets us apart is that this business was built by an enthusiast, for enthusiasts. I’ve been collecting and studying these products for over a decade, so I understand what it’s like to be on the other side of the transaction as a collector. When you’re spending your hard-earned money on something, especially a luxury or collectible item, you want to know exactly what you’re getting. Authenticity, condition, transparency, and education are extremely important to me because I want our customers to feel confident in their purchases. Every item is inspected and presented with detailed photography and descriptions so customers know what to expect.
Another thing I’m particularly proud of is that we own the inventory we sell. We’re not simply acting as a middleman between a customer and another seller or consignor. That gives us much more control over the quality of what we offer and the experience we provide. It also allows us to stand behind the products we sell in a much more meaningful way.
From a brand perspective, I’m probably most proud of how much Archangel Authentics has evolved while still maintaining the same core identity. I started this journey making custom sneakers and selling them at sneaker shows. What began as a personal passion eventually became a business, and that business has continued to grow alongside my own interests and knowledge. Sneakers will always be part of our DNA, but today I’m just as excited about a vintage Rolex, a Cartier, a rare designer piece, or an obscure piece of streetwear as I am about a great pair of sneakers.
I also want people to understand that Archangel Authentics isn’t just about buying and selling products. A huge part of what I want to build is a community and a resource for people who are passionate about these things. I’m constantly learning myself, particularly as I’ve gone deeper into watches and horology, and I want to share that knowledge with other enthusiasts. Fashion, watches, and collecting are all incredibly deep worlds, and there’s always something new to discover.
Ultimately, the name Archangel Authentics reflects what I want the company to stand for: authenticity in the products we sell, authenticity in the people we work with, and authenticity in allowing people to express themselves through what they wear and collect. Our goal is to provide a trustworthy, transparent, and enjoyable experience while helping people find pieces that genuinely mean something to them.
What are your plans for the future?
What are your plans for the future? What are you looking forward to or planning for – any big changes?
I’m really excited about where Archangel Authentics can go from here. One of my biggest goals is to expand much further into the world of enthusiast and luxury watches. I’ve become increasingly passionate about watches and horology over the past few years, and I’d like to continue building out that side of the business with a much broader and more carefully curated selection. There’s so much depth to the watch world, from vintage and collectible pieces to modern references, and I’m excited to continue learning while bringing more of those pieces to our customers.
I also see a lot of potential for growth in jewelry and higher-end bags. Those are areas I’d like to develop more as we continue expanding our luxury offerings. The goal isn’t simply to add more products for the sake of having more inventory, but to be intentional about what we bring in and focus on pieces that I would personally be excited to own or collect.
There’s also another passion of mine that I’ve been thinking about incorporating into the business: trading cards, specifically Pokémon. I’ve always enjoyed the collecting side of that hobby, but if we eventually move into that space, I’d want to approach it in the same way we approach everything else at Archangel Authentics—with a curated selection rather than simply carrying whatever modern products are readily available everywhere else. I’m much more interested in rare, vintage, and collectible cards with a story or significance behind them.
Ultimately, I want Archangel Authentics to continue evolving into a destination for enthusiasts across multiple collecting categories. Watches, jewelry, bags, sneakers, streetwear, designer goods, and potentially trading cards may seem like very different worlds on the surface, but they all share the same underlying idea: collecting things that you genuinely appreciate, that have a story, and that mean something to you. That’s the direction I’m excited to continue building toward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ArchangelAuthentics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archangelauthentics
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archangelauthentics
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@archangelauthentics
