Michael Tylor

What do you do and why?

I am one of the founding partners of the Hollywood Watch Company. Nearly two years ago our team was able to track down the last known remaining metal on the open market from the original 1923 Hollywood Sign. Most people don’t realize the iconic Hollywood Sign has only been there since 1979. The original sign that stood watch over the golden age of Hollywood and that would have been seen by Cary Grant, Judy Garland, and Marilyn Monroe fell into disrepair and was ultimately replaced by an identical — but much sturdier — construction.

We started the Hollywood Watch Company with a vision to take this historic icon and return it to the people. The idea for a watch came early on as we believed that it would be a perfect way for people to have history literally on their wrist and to be readily able to share that history with all around them.

It has been a long journey of trial, error, and experimentation, but we are almost there. Our Swiss manufacturing partner is now in the final stages of design and we’re going to have working prototypes and head into production by the middle of the year!

I have always been a watch, film, and history enthusiast, and this project is a perfect blend of my passions and interests. Every day keeps on getting better as people tell us how much they love this story, what we’re doing, and how they want to support it in any way possible. Starting a new brand is not an easy journey, but it’s a journey that is worth it in every way possible!

What change would you like to enact in the world?

I would love to create a world where no talent or potential in a human being goes to waste. Aside from the watch project, my day job is working in the art world and living in Miami, I see so much creativity and talent everywhere I go, and yet so much of it is never realized due to poverty, drugs, or other negative factors. I try to do my small part by supporting and focusing on local talent both here in Miami and also in the Caribbean, for which Miami is the gateway city. Giving these artists a forum and a voice to express themselves, be noticed, and build their artistic lives is hugely rewarding for me.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

The summer I graduated from high school, I joined the army and went off to bootcamp. Even though that was more than 20 years ago, I still make my bed every morning as though a red-faced sergeant were going to walk in and scream his head off at me and make me drop and do 50.

Why did you join IVY?

I moved to Miami two years ago from Vancouver, Canada. For most of that time I have been focused inward on building the business and getting the Hollywood Watch project moving. When I paused to take a breath, I realized that I didn’t really know anyone in Miami outside of business associates. Ivy has provided an incredible way for me to build a social network of friends here in Miami. I have met so many wonderful people who are smart, ambitious, entrepreneurial, and artistic. Miami is not the easiest city to meet new people and Ivy really made it so simple.

What has been your most memorable IVY Experience?

There have been many experiences that are memorable. If I had to pick, though, attending the private rooftop cocktail reception at the New World Symphony here in Miami, followed by an incredible concert of iconic movie themes that blended the full orchestra with a DJ, would top my list of experiences!