Meet Haley Himiko Hudson Morris | Shop owner & artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Haley Himiko Hudson Morris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Haley Himiko, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
In 2015, long before I opened my brick and mortar shop I decided to quit my regular full time job working in Coffee here in Cleveland. I had been inspired by other friends locally who were making their own way doing creative work. Cleveland is definitely a more affordable city than others to try taking that leap!

I have always been an ambitious person full of ideas. In 2012 I had my first solid ideas to open a Notebook & Journal shop but the timing wasn’t right. When I first began working for myself I was making accessories by hand and art with laser cutters and also event planning & DJing. That work along with other odd jobs blossomed into art installation work and public funded art projects. I was getting more work steadily each year and before the Pandemic hit I was preparing for a very big year. Then everything fell apart. All of my projects that involved events and audiences had. I pivoted hard and made lots of little projects work for me as I’d done for years but as things were “returning to normal” in 2021, I had simply changed too much and I wasn’t ready to return to events.

Probably the biggest push I had to open Cool World was a reality check during 2020/21 with a local business I had done work with for many years. I think it’s a common tale of the small business that gets by and grows their following off the ideas, and hard work of their most passionate employees. As one of these employees you can get really comfortable, trusting, and have this maybe false sense of the equity you have in that business. Then one day a new boss comes in and decides you’re expendable, especially if you’re not a total yes person. The story is not black and white but nevertheless I decided it was time to take my biggest leap and invest fully in my own ideas. Even with the pandemic still very much a thing, the timing felt right and doors opened.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I consider myself largely an artist. Over the years my work has taken on a lot of forms, experiences, experiments. At the moment my biggest project is a store. Cool World or “Himiko’s” Cool World is my business. It’s a small storefront that is my revolving art installation/collage piece that happens to sell stationery, journals & paper goods as well as vintage clothing and decor, and also supports pieces made by local artists & independent designers. I’m deeply inspired by immersive spaces and shops that were/are as much a draw as the items they sold. I’m thinking about shops like Junk Man’s Daughter in Atlanta GA, Keith Haring’s Pop Shop, Vivienne Westwood & Malcolm Maclaren’s shops Sex, At World’s End, Let it Rock and others.

I sold online and in person at small events for years along with many other side hustles in design, decorating etc. Selling online was never satisfying and it felt impossible to be seen. My shop for me is a culmination of years of experience in many areas to create somewhat of a hybrid space. In 2023, I have learned that I can best represent what I offer in an “in-person” environment. My art installation that is regularly changing keeps it different from other shops. There are “rules” in retail that I think people follow a lot of the time that I think are unnecessary and also smothering. I’m self aware that I’m probably making mistakes all of the time but hey that’s learning and If I can’t experiment and try doing things my own way what is the point of running your own business? You have to be there for yourself.

Cool World is definitely still in its infancy. What I mean is it’s sustaining as a shop but it still has a lot of ways I’d like to see it contribute in all of the things I love such as events, dances, workshop space etc. I’m very excited to grow upon those ideas I see a lot of ambitious amazing people trying to do it all like that right away and it is very difficult. There is a gigantic double standard for small local businesses to try to be and do “everything, and then some” and it’s just not possible without insane resources.

I have been open exactly 2 years to the date and I am learning things every day as I go along. So many people will tell you you need to go to school or any of these expensive marketed programs in order to start a business but it’s simply not true. Sure you can do those things and hopefully gain some insight but I think it’s more important to immerse yourself in all of the things you are interested in, pick up ideas, find the people who give your ideas light to grow. Apprentice and listen, get a therapist and learn trades and new skills. Take yourself and your ideas seriously but not too seriously! I think there is a time to jump and take the risks involved and over time I think we tune our intuition to know when.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I think Cleveland has a lot going on! It has some great businesses and depending on what you’re into, plenty of events going on. Lately it seems like there are new businesses opening every month it’s actually hard to keep up! I’m sure there are plenty of places I have yet to enjoy. Some free things to enjoy, spaces to hang out in on my list are definitely Edgewater Park, The Cleveland Public Library downtown, The Cleveland Metroparks, The Cleveland Museum of Art.
We’re blessed to have the Cleveland Cinemateque that programs packed schedules of the best films, mostly in 35 mm still. Q&As, live musical accompaniment at times.
You can catch live music at The Little Rose Tavern, Happy Dog, DIY venue Prototype Collective, Beachland, Grog Shop, then there’s more corporate venues too.
My favorite places for food and drink are The Little Rose Tavern, Parkview Nightclub, Porco Tiki Lounge, Prosperity in Tremont, Martha on The Fly, Dunlap’s Corner Bar, Frank’s Falafel, Himalayan Restaurant, & legendary Villa Y Zapata Mexican Restaurant. I’m also looking forward to a new business my friends are opening in old Brooklyn “Never Say Dive”.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are way too many people, and opportunities I’ve been given over the years to justly cover everyone but I’ll have to thank my family, parents Bunny & Ken, sister Sheila and my partner Terry for endless support and inspiration over the years in all ways. I’ve been able to learn and grow at my own pace thanks to them. That is not a privilege everyone has nor one I take for granted. Working as a college radio DJ at WCSB 89.3 Cleveland 2009-2020 was an incredible experience/study in finding myself and connecting me with amazing people.
Kelly Flamos my passionate friend and former owner of Mahall’s venue in Lakewood nurtured my ideas and believed in me very early and gave me a space to experiment with themed events and shows. All of the staff at Mahall’s like Sue, Chris, George, Joe over the years who were always there to lend a hand.
Cassie Trainer my friend and a great muse to my projects, always my event and party partner matching my enthusiasm for creating transformative experiences. We planned so many of the best events together.
My band-mates over the years also who have given me confidence by standing by my side creating music with me, the most authentic form of expression for me. Steve, Kevin, Mark, Paul, Noah, Chris, David and others.

Website: www.coolworldcle.com

Instagram: @coolworldcle @himikogogosmemorabilia

Facebook: @coolworldcle

Image Credits
All images supplied and taken by me, Haley H Hudson Morris