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Married to the MOB: Leah McSweeney :: Staying busy with the founder of the most prominent women's street wear labels in the game

By Jolie Nguyen   Photography by Lynnette Astaire

09/10/08 :: URB 155

Leah McSweeney is a fucking hustler.  She's incredibly kind, but will rip you a new one in .213 seconds if you do her wrong. Leah is THE Boss Bitch and founder of Married to the MOB, one of the most prominent women’s street wear labels right now. MOB has made its appearance on your favorite blogs, collaborated with Fafi and KAWS, and has sat front and center of the window display at Colette.  At only 25, this lady is killing the game and proving that you can do it wearing heels while carrying a baby.

URB: What's the appropriate balance between creativity and power?
Leah McSweeney: That’s a weird question for me because I am so bad at balancing anything! I’m all or nothing. But in terms of creativity and power I don’t know if there is one actually. Some of the most creative people I know are so powerless. Its like that whole tourtured artist thing I guess. And I think people with lots of power are probably so fucked in the head…except Oprah! Shes amazing. Too much of anything is bad basiclly.  You can’t help who you are though. If you are super creative how could you possibly balance it, it’s just something in you that takes over. If you are talking in terms of business yes you need to have a sense of creativity and the power to be able to execute your ideas and hustle and shit like that. Then you are definitely going to be more likely to succeed.

Would you feel better knowing that the world is run by four powerful people locked away in a secret room or that it's just absolute chaos? Why?
The world is run by 4 people locked in a secret room and its still fucking chaos! I honestly don’t give too much thought to the state of the world today cus it just freaks me out. I am much more obsessed with thinking about whats after this world…or the lack there of. That shit is fuckin scary! I just focus on being the best mom I can be, making sure my family is cool and making myself happy and satisfied with whatever I am doing.


"With great power comes great responsibility"....how does this apply to what you do?
I know very well about the responsibility part…I never thought I’d be 25, a mother, a home owner, a CEO, have so many bills to keep up on, deadlines to meet etc. Shit is no joke. But at the same time its so fucking sweet and I would never have it any other way. Sometimes I just have to take deep breaths, go for a run, talk to my shrink or stay out till 4am dancing to keep myself from going nuts. But hell yes I feel powerful. Its invigorating. And being a women and feeling powerful is like a drug. Makes you confident, sexy, females taking over the world holler!


Who is the person who inspired you to reach your current level of power? Why?
I hate when girls give their husbands/boos props with this shit but I can’t front. When I met Rob I was a wild and out of control 19 year old. Throughout our relationship I have probably grown more then with in my entire life. But at the same time I set my own goals and have my own visions of where I want to go, what I want to do and that’s what inspires me daily. In the end you need to be doing shit for yourself not anyone else or it won’t last. I have set high standards for myself and I expect nothing less so I constantly have that in my head when Im going from day to day grinding.


What's the difference between having power and having influence over a group of people?
Having an influence over a group of people is a type of power. But having power is using that influence to your advantage and making money off that shit! That’s what makes the world go round anyway right?

How does it feel to be the 'boss bitch' of street wear?
Wow. Thank you. Is that how I am seen? That is a huge compliment. I will gladly take that title. MOB has started a movement and I’m glad people recognize that. Recognize bitches! I just say whats on my mind and am not afraid of pissing people off or what people think. In fact I like to shock people and do it on the daily. I plan on being the boss bitch of whatever endeavor I tackle. I cant have it any other way! Ive had a problem with authority since day one. I need to be the boss and that’s that.


What does it take to succeed in such a male dominated industry?
Confidence, thick skin, charm, intelligence, oh yeah and you need to know how to manipulate and play the guys. Its all about their egos..that’s how men are. I deal with fuckin egos ALL DAY LONG! So you need to know how to work them and get your way and be in control but at the same time not hurt their egos cus then they are just fuckin pains in the asses and noone wins. Its really sick but shit is real.


What's the next 'power' move from MOB?
There are so many power moves we are fuckin making. Everything form projects with amazing brands to a full line of ready to wear to accessories to moving into an actual office. Basiclly about to kill the whole fucking game and take shit to next level.


Lastly, you were beaten by a cop several years back for defending your friend... got any words for the cop, Franco Bascendella?
Thank you Mr. Officer!

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