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[00:01:32.480 --> 00:01:39.040] And this is why, even in times of strife, when I have been building this business, I've always said thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.
[00:01:39.040 --> 00:01:40.960] I practice gratitude.
[00:01:41.920 --> 00:01:50.640] You're listening to Side Hustle Pro, the podcast that teaches you to build and grow your side hustle from passion project to profitable business.
[00:01:50.640 --> 00:01:53.600] And I'm your host, Nikayla Matthews Okome.
[00:01:53.600 --> 00:01:55.440] So let's get started.
[00:01:57.040 --> 00:01:59.440] Hey, friends, hey, welcome, welcome back to the show.
[00:01:59.440 --> 00:02:00.520] I am so excited.
[00:01:59.840 --> 00:02:03.080] Today, in the guest chair, we have Raven Gibson.
[00:02:03.320 --> 00:02:09.160] Raven is someone who I came across on Instagram because her art, her products are just fire.
[00:02:09.160 --> 00:02:14.280] Like, this is a brand that I think I will be buying for years to come.
[00:02:14.280 --> 00:02:16.600] As long as she's open, I will be buying.
[00:02:16.600 --> 00:02:22.520] So, Raven founded Legendary Roots to empower, liberate, and uplift black culture worldwide.
[00:02:22.520 --> 00:02:33.400] Her innovative and vibrant apparel, accessories, and home decor designs are created to inspire the African diaspora to embrace their heritage and show their pride with confidence.
[00:02:33.400 --> 00:02:40.360] You may have seen her products recently inside of Target or on her website, as well as her Instagram.
[00:02:40.360 --> 00:02:50.440] So, let's go ahead and jump into the conversation because we had so much fun talking, so many laughs, and I learned a lot, including some great tips on some software that she uses.
[00:02:50.440 --> 00:02:52.520] So, let's get right into it.
[00:02:55.400 --> 00:02:57.320] Welcome, welcome to the guest chair.
[00:02:57.320 --> 00:02:58.120] How are you?
[00:02:58.120 --> 00:02:59.000] I'm doing well.
[00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:02.040] I'm excited to have a conversation and you know, get into it.
[00:03:02.040 --> 00:03:02.760] Exactly.
[00:03:02.760 --> 00:03:04.440] I'm excited to get into it.
[00:03:04.440 --> 00:03:07.080] You are someone who I came across on Instagram.
[00:03:07.080 --> 00:03:13.320] I was just intrigued and so impressed by your artwork, your products, how your mind works.
[00:03:13.320 --> 00:03:17.240] You're one of those accounts that people will try to duplicate, right?
[00:03:17.240 --> 00:03:23.800] Or try to steal your art and try to act like, but you, your mind, your mind can't be duplicated, right?
[00:03:23.800 --> 00:03:29.960] So, when did you discover this artistic streak, this talent and gift that you have?
[00:03:29.960 --> 00:03:32.920] Um, so um, when I was younger, I actually hated art.
[00:03:32.920 --> 00:03:34.480] Um, I've always been a rebel.
[00:03:34.280 --> 00:03:36.440] So, so I think it, and I think that's what it was.
[00:03:36.440 --> 00:03:43.080] I think I was, you know, told what to create, and as an artist, I like to, you know, start from the inside and create outwardly.
[00:03:43.080 --> 00:03:48.000] Um, but I appreciated that because it kind of gave me the foundation to create art.
[00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:50.720] When I first started the brand, I was actually in college.
[00:03:50.880 --> 00:03:55.040] I attended Arizona State University where I received my degree in biochemistry.
[00:03:55.680 --> 00:03:58.720] Yeah, I was actually just looking for clothes to wear, you know, to class.
[00:03:59.120 --> 00:04:01.440] You know, I was the type to just throw on something and go.
[00:04:01.440 --> 00:04:02.560] I just needed to get in there.
[00:04:02.560 --> 00:04:05.360] I had, you know, classes, lab, presentation.
[00:04:05.360 --> 00:04:07.600] So I just needed something that I could be comfortable in.
[00:04:07.600 --> 00:04:10.960] Through the power of social media, it kind of turned into this whole brand.
[00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:16.960] I think I posted some pictures of myself, you know, first day on campus, you know, freshman, all excited.
[00:04:16.960 --> 00:04:18.720] And my friends were like, Where'd you get your shirt from?
[00:04:18.720 --> 00:04:19.680] And I was like, Oh, I made it.
[00:04:19.680 --> 00:04:20.560] They're like, Let me get one.
[00:04:20.640 --> 00:04:22.640] I was like, Let me figure it out.
[00:04:22.960 --> 00:04:24.480] So I kind of evolved from there.
[00:04:24.480 --> 00:04:30.320] And freshman year, you hit the streets and people are like, Oh, we need that.
[00:04:30.320 --> 00:04:30.960] Right.
[00:04:30.960 --> 00:04:47.280] And it's funny because, like, as I was kind of like reflecting on where the business is now, you can see the growth from the first designs to what I produce now, which is great because it's a photographic memory of my journey of being a business owner.
[00:04:47.280 --> 00:04:50.960] I so enjoy meeting people who started in college.
[00:04:50.960 --> 00:04:52.320] I think that's so smart.
[00:04:52.320 --> 00:04:54.560] I wish I had been doing that.
[00:04:54.560 --> 00:04:58.240] And at the time, like you said, you were pursuing biochemistry.
[00:04:58.240 --> 00:05:00.960] So, what were your original career plans?
[00:05:00.960 --> 00:05:03.120] Did you plan to go into medicine?
[00:05:03.120 --> 00:05:09.040] Yeah, so I actually wanted to be a neonatologist, which is a doctor that specializes in like neonatal care.
[00:05:09.040 --> 00:05:14.800] So, newborns who are born with certain issues or diseases or things like that, you know, you help with them.
[00:05:15.040 --> 00:05:20.320] Freshman year, I realized I actually don't like blood.
[00:05:20.640 --> 00:05:25.280] So, um, and it's funny because uh, one of my designs is take up space.
[00:05:25.280 --> 00:05:29.120] And I realized freshman year that I that was not a space that I wanted to take up.
[00:05:29.120 --> 00:05:37.560] And I tried to go the route of um, you know, going to advising and um trying to switch majors because I knew that I wanted to get a degree.
[00:05:37.560 --> 00:05:41.480] I've always been curious, I've always been intellectual, but they actually pushed back on that.
[00:05:41.480 --> 00:05:47.880] They were like, Well, you know, if you get in and like the second year, you might not be able to graduate, you might have to leave the program and all that.
[00:05:47.880 --> 00:05:58.680] And I kind of let that fear stop me from changing my degree, which I really appreciate now because learning biochemistry really taught me the importance of researching and reading a lot.
[00:05:58.680 --> 00:06:04.520] And as a business owner, you know, I have to learn a lot of different things, especially because I wear so many different hats.
[00:06:04.520 --> 00:06:10.920] So, I really appreciated, even though in that moment, you know, thinking back to that raven, I was like, She should have stood up for herself.
[00:06:10.920 --> 00:06:15.800] But again, I always appreciate the journeys that I go through as I built this business, right?
[00:06:15.800 --> 00:06:25.480] And it teaches you something, and I love that you can look back at that raven and say, Oh man, like I've grown so much because if that were today, here's what I would have said and done, right?
[00:06:25.480 --> 00:06:30.440] Right now, what made you so curious about neonatology?
[00:06:30.440 --> 00:06:31.960] That's so specific.
[00:06:31.960 --> 00:06:38.520] So, my niece was actually born maybe five years before I started college, and that's my girl.
[00:06:38.520 --> 00:06:39.800] I love her down.
[00:06:39.800 --> 00:06:44.760] And I believe, and they, my family, their memories be tricky, so I don't always trust them.
[00:06:44.760 --> 00:06:48.680] But I feel like she had some complications like right when she was born.
[00:06:48.680 --> 00:06:52.920] It was nothing like she did not have to stay overnight or anything like that, but there were some complications.
[00:06:52.920 --> 00:07:03.640] And I think, you know, just being younger, being one of like the first people in my family to go and graduate college, like I knew that I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity.
[00:07:03.640 --> 00:07:11.720] I also received a scholarship from my church, so I just wanted to take those blessings that I received in my life and outpour and help others.
[00:07:11.720 --> 00:07:14.040] I've always been, I would say, like altruistic.
[00:07:14.280 --> 00:07:18.480] My dad, he used to call me like the lawyer, like when I was younger.
[00:07:18.480 --> 00:07:23.120] And like, you know, I would have issues with teachers or other students or whatever.
[00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:26.560] I'd always stand my ground because that's just who I've always been.
[00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:36.800] So when my niece was born and she did go to the neonatal center for just, I think it was like a day, I was like, oh, I didn't realize that that was like an option.
[00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:46.400] You know, you know, you hear about pediatricians, family doctors, like optometrists, like you hear about all these other lanes, but I was like, oh, it'd be cool if I could get in from the jump, you know?
[00:07:46.640 --> 00:07:48.800] But like I said, blood is not my thing.
[00:07:48.880 --> 00:07:50.320] I learned that early.
[00:07:50.800 --> 00:08:03.360] I knew that I still, and what it's, it's funny, like as I reflect on the business and the brand that I built, I'm still able to pour into people, which is really like, I think what really excites me and pushes me to continue growing and going.
[00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:08.880] It's interesting to me to learn more about what people were originally going to pursue, how their mind works.
[00:08:08.880 --> 00:08:13.920] And I think it really says a lot about who you are as a person and the care that you have for people.
[00:08:13.920 --> 00:08:16.480] So that was really cool to learn.
[00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:26.720] And interestingly enough, I know that you noted that using design as a tool for self-care and well-being and empowerment is something that's important to you.
[00:08:26.720 --> 00:08:32.320] I was literally this morning at this Mother's Day event at my son's school.
[00:08:32.320 --> 00:08:39.040] And I'm going there thinking, all right, we're going to have, you know, donuts for mom, like they usually have at these school stuff.
[00:08:39.040 --> 00:08:44.240] But what they had was in the backyard, they had these art setups for us.
[00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:47.520] So we had breakfast, but then they had like watercolor paint.
[00:08:47.520 --> 00:08:52.240] And she introduced us to this concept of like design with lines.
[00:08:52.240 --> 00:08:57.440] And overall, the goal was just to give us moms a break to just breathe.
[00:08:57.440 --> 00:08:58.800] And I thought that was so thoughtful.
[00:08:58.800 --> 00:08:59.440] And you know what?
[00:08:59.560 --> 00:09:01.160] It was so relaxing.
[00:08:59.440 --> 00:09:02.120] It was so narrow.
[00:09:02.920 --> 00:09:05.560] I'm like, why haven't I been doing this more?
[00:09:05.880 --> 00:09:11.080] So, what was your experience with using design as a tool for self-care?
[00:09:11.720 --> 00:09:16.600] It's funny because, like I said, I just, my art is selfish.
[00:09:17.160 --> 00:09:19.000] It doesn't necessarily reflect that.
[00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:28.600] But I think that's why, even through like the trials and tribulations of being a business owner, one thing that I think really connects with my audience is the fact that they see themselves in my art.
[00:09:28.600 --> 00:09:32.680] And oftentimes, they see themselves in my art because my art is me.
[00:09:32.920 --> 00:09:41.560] You know, if I'm posting a quote or if I'm posting an animation or an illustration or a new design, oftentimes I create it for myself and I say, you know what?
[00:09:41.560 --> 00:09:43.080] I think they'll like it.
[00:09:43.080 --> 00:09:54.040] And one thing that I really appreciate about those who support me is the fact that they'll often tell me, you know, because sometimes I will run into people, you know, wearing my designs.
[00:09:54.600 --> 00:10:03.080] And early on, a lot of what I continued to hear was, I love that your clothes and your designs and your art, it speaks for me.
[00:10:03.080 --> 00:10:05.000] And like I said, I've always been outspoken.
[00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:06.760] I would consider myself an introvert.
[00:10:06.760 --> 00:10:12.840] I feel like many people don't probably know that or think that, but I do consider myself an introvert, but I've never had an issue with speaking up.
[00:10:12.840 --> 00:10:13.960] That's just, that's me.
[00:10:13.960 --> 00:10:15.880] That's, it's, it's inside of me.
[00:10:15.880 --> 00:10:27.400] Um, but I love that others who have supported the brand allow for the brand to be a tool for them to speak up for themselves, whether it's no, you cannot touch my hair, whether it's listening to black women, whether it's pretty brown teen.
[00:10:27.400 --> 00:10:35.400] At the end of the day, my goal is to empower others to, and, and I really appreciate that they relate to the brand and the mission.
[00:10:35.400 --> 00:10:39.480] And something you said about watercoloring, I'm really big on therapy.
[00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:40.360] I love therapy.
[00:10:40.760 --> 00:10:45.920] One thing that I use as a tool of meditation and a space for me to just reflect.
[00:10:44.840 --> 00:10:49.760] It doesn't matter what the art turns out looking like is watercolor.
[00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:53.920] You know, I'll get my paper, I'll get the watercolor, I'll get the paint, I'll just, you know, play around with it.
[00:10:53.920 --> 00:10:56.480] And it's very liberating because there's no expectation.
[00:10:56.480 --> 00:11:00.000] I'm just creating what's internally and bringing it externally.
[00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:01.280] It was so peaceful.
[00:11:01.280 --> 00:11:07.680] And the thing that the art teacher taught us at the program was like, I wasn't even using watercolor, right, girl?
[00:11:07.680 --> 00:11:15.120] Like, I didn't even know you could, like, you could put the water on the paper on the canvas, or you could, you could whip watercolor.
[00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:23.200] Like, I was just in there with my dry brush, dipping a little water, and then trying to get as much paint out, but that's not it, y'all.
[00:11:23.200 --> 00:11:28.000] So, allow yourself these moments of artistic expression.
[00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:36.560] And you're right, your clothes and your mugs do allow me to say something that was, I don't even know, was on my mind.
[00:11:36.560 --> 00:11:44.720] Like, that pour into you mug is my favorite mug because just the art of pouring from a kettle, that's already a moment where you have to take a beat, right?
[00:11:44.720 --> 00:11:46.960] Especially if you have a slow kettle, like we do.
[00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:52.240] My husband jokes because we have that aesthetic kettle that all the Instagrammers have, right?
[00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:55.840] With the really skinny thing, but that thing takes forever to pour.
[00:11:55.840 --> 00:12:03.600] But in that moment, I have to take a beat and then I'm reminded: like, you deserve to take a beat, like, pour into you.
[00:12:03.600 --> 00:12:06.000] That's what you should be doing anyway.
[00:12:12.720 --> 00:12:25.840] Are there certain things that you started designing that stemmed from any particular instances or experiences that you had that made you realize I need to start putting some of these out into the world?
[00:12:26.160 --> 00:12:34.440] I think one of like my more popular designs that I feel like resonates even outside of my audience is the you cannot pour from an empty cup.
[00:12:34.760 --> 00:12:44.040] That one, I think, because it I think when I released it, it was around 2019, 2020, which was right into the pandemic.
[00:12:44.040 --> 00:12:50.520] Um, and I think it really resonated because people got a secondary look into what their lives were looking like.
[00:12:50.520 --> 00:12:57.320] You know, I think as uh now, I call myself an adult, but I don't always feel like it.
[00:12:57.320 --> 00:13:05.160] But as an adult, like after college, you realize, oh, this is when the real life, you know, you're starting, you start becoming responsible for yourself.
[00:13:05.160 --> 00:13:08.600] You start having to make the decisions that will directly affect you and no one else.
[00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:10.040] You can't point any fingers.
[00:13:10.040 --> 00:13:11.320] Well, you shouldn't point any fingers.
[00:13:11.320 --> 00:13:13.960] Some people do, but you shouldn't point any fingers.
[00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:18.280] And the you cannot pour from empty cup really was a reminder.
[00:13:18.280 --> 00:13:24.120] Again, it was for me, but I shared it with others and they resonated with it because we need that reminder.
[00:13:24.120 --> 00:13:24.920] We need that reminder.
[00:13:25.960 --> 00:13:34.440] I realize when I'm when I'm fussy, when I don't want to talk to nobody, when I get tired, I realize you might need to take a step back.
[00:13:34.440 --> 00:13:43.480] And those designs and that art is that reminder to take a step back because we have bills, we have to feed ourselves.
[00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:48.200] Like, right again, there's so many different responsibilities that we have.
[00:13:48.200 --> 00:13:53.880] And I love that my art is a reminder, not only for others, but for myself to take a break.
[00:13:53.880 --> 00:13:54.600] I deserve it.
[00:13:54.840 --> 00:14:01.400] And I don't have to make any kind of quarrels or like explanations for why I deserve the break because I just do.
[00:14:01.400 --> 00:14:07.880] You know, as you were speaking, it's funny, the thought that came to mind is sometimes you start peopleing too early in the day, right?
[00:14:07.880 --> 00:14:13.880] Like, oh, I didn't give myself enough of a buffer for the other people I encountered that day.
[00:14:14.200 --> 00:14:15.440] They came into my world.
[00:14:14.920 --> 00:14:18.640] Like, I need to not start people in too early.
[00:14:18.800 --> 00:14:24.000] Let me pour into my cup, then start people in, then start dealing with other humans.
[00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:33.840] And too, I think that, um, especially as black women and as women, I feel like shame was consistently used as a tool to keep us in place.
[00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:38.320] And I hope to remove that shame through my designs and my art.
[00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:52.960] Um, because like we're allowed to set the boundary of I need some time, and I feel like we're not always taught that, and that's why, even like, like sometimes, like, I'll be in therapy and like I'll be you know, talking and have a conversation and ranting or whatever, and then I'll be like, Let me write that down.
[00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:59.040] And oftentimes, and sometimes, not oftentimes, sometimes those like little write-downs, those little notes will come.
[00:14:59.040 --> 00:15:09.680] Well, I will post it because it's kind of like your friend, like you know, that like they deserve better, or you know, that they might need to hear something, but you don't necessarily always want to just come out and say it.
[00:15:09.680 --> 00:15:13.120] So, what I do is I design it, I post it, and I leave it.
[00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:15.680] Whoever receives it receives it.
[00:15:15.920 --> 00:15:20.000] So, if you want to take this, then.
[00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:22.880] All right, so now let's get down into the business of it all.
[00:15:22.880 --> 00:15:26.960] Okay, so when were you bitten by the side hustle bug, aka?
[00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:29.680] Oh, let me start selling some stuff.
[00:15:29.680 --> 00:15:33.920] It's funny because in high school, again, I love learning.
[00:15:33.920 --> 00:15:36.160] Let me let me pre-reference that.
[00:15:36.160 --> 00:15:38.640] I love learning, but in high school, again, I was a rebel.
[00:15:38.640 --> 00:15:42.400] I hated homework, I had assignments, I hated tests because I just knew the material.
[00:15:42.400 --> 00:15:43.760] Once I understood it, I knew it.
[00:15:43.760 --> 00:15:51.920] And it's funny because I took an economics class, I actually sold shirts, and I forgot about this because you again, you know, you start doing so many things, you just forget about it.
[00:15:51.920 --> 00:15:56.880] I actually sold shirts, and I believe that my project was like the most profitable project.
[00:15:56.880 --> 00:15:57.960] I like went to Michael's.
[00:15:58.240 --> 00:16:00.040] I was surprised by that.
[00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:04.760] I went to Michael's, I got some like, you know, like the print-on designs.
[00:16:05.400 --> 00:16:15.320] And what's cool is like, I took like, I guess, again, not really thinking too deep into it, but I took like a personalization lens because I think other people were selling shirts, but they were like, they put a design on.
[00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:19.000] Whereas I was like, if you give me an image, I got you.
[00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:21.800] Just I'll print, I'll create the shirt, I'll send it out to you.
[00:16:21.800 --> 00:16:25.560] So I was like, you know, the kids in high school, they're walking around with the snack girl.
[00:16:25.560 --> 00:16:27.560] I was the shirt girl.
[00:16:27.560 --> 00:16:29.800] So people would order with me.
[00:16:29.800 --> 00:16:31.000] I don't even remember how I took orders.
[00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:32.440] I might have done it on a spreadsheet or something.
[00:16:32.440 --> 00:16:33.880] People took orders from me.
[00:16:34.280 --> 00:16:36.440] And I, but after that, I kind of forgot about it.
[00:16:36.440 --> 00:16:39.720] I was, you know, doing my thing and joining high school.
[00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:45.160] And then, and once, like I said, I once I got to college, I was creating things for myself.
[00:16:45.160 --> 00:16:54.280] And then when I realized that, and it's funny too, because I'm really big on trusting guts, intuition, faith, like listening to things.
[00:16:54.280 --> 00:17:05.000] And the person, the first person who supported me in my econ class business was the first person who actually supported me when I started my business as well, Legendary Roots as well.
[00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:06.920] And that has been a really big thing.
[00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:10.920] I think the support has really helped to project things.
[00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:15.960] I know for a fact that there are people who are speaking about my brand who I might not even have a personal relationship with.
[00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:18.200] That has really helped to elevate things.
[00:17:18.200 --> 00:17:21.960] So there are people speaking about you in rooms right now.
[00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:23.160] Isn't that crazy?
[00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:24.040] Like it is.
[00:17:24.040 --> 00:17:24.600] It is.
[00:17:24.600 --> 00:17:25.240] It's done.
[00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:26.200] It is well.
[00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:27.240] It's also funny.
[00:17:27.240 --> 00:17:31.480] I love that you mentioned that in high school, you were doing this and you almost forgot about it.
[00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:33.080] That's what a lot of us do.
[00:17:33.080 --> 00:17:46.720] You know, that's why I actually provide people with questions to jog that memory and also to give those questions to other people because people see you when you just have it in your blind spot and you don't see yourself.
[00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:49.840] People see your gifts and your skills that you take for granted.
[00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:57.760] So then, how did you remember, like, hey, I used to do this, and hey, I could do this by college or whenever you started to actually sell it.
[00:17:57.760 --> 00:18:12.480] I think just reflecting like therapy, therapy has taught me the importance of journaling and something that I really believe in, like, manifestation, mindset, really understanding where I want to go and why I want it.
[00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:16.000] And so, journaling really helped me to remember that.
[00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:18.720] And then also talking to people.
[00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:23.920] I did something in LA around last year, December, and I was telling my family about it.
[00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:25.040] I'm really close to them.
[00:18:25.040 --> 00:18:25.840] They keep me right.
[00:18:25.840 --> 00:18:27.440] They keep me humble.
[00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:28.160] I'll say that.
[00:18:29.520 --> 00:18:31.040] My sisters don't do it as much.
[00:18:31.040 --> 00:18:40.480] I think I've maybe gotten to the level where they don't try to humble me as much, but they're like, I remember when you had 10 followers and six of us were like the 10 of them, you know, so there was that.
[00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:43.280] But right, they just keep you humble.
[00:18:43.280 --> 00:18:46.800] But when I was in LA, I was telling them, like, reflecting on it, and they're like, how was it?
[00:18:46.800 --> 00:18:47.760] I was like, it was great.
[00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:51.600] And like, I am very quiet before I get comfortable.
[00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:57.120] And I was just like, yeah, some of the people, you know, they were, it's a little questionable, you know, and they're like, do you not realize?
[00:18:57.120 --> 00:19:02.720] And I was like, oh, sometimes I need to remember, like you said, the impact that I made.
[00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:07.520] I forget it because, again, I'm creating for myself, but obviously I'm creating for others as well.
[00:19:07.520 --> 00:19:14.640] And so sometimes I forget the impact and the kind of person I am because I just exist in me.
[00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:18.400] And there's so much peace in that that sometimes I do forget that.
[00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:20.240] Like, we are in our world.
[00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:21.200] We wake up in the morning.
[00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:22.320] We're in our room.
[00:19:22.320 --> 00:19:23.200] We're in our home.
[00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:24.080] We're in our humble.
[00:19:24.160 --> 00:19:24.720] We create it.
[00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:25.600] We put it out.
[00:19:25.600 --> 00:19:27.120] And then we go about our day.
[00:19:27.120 --> 00:19:38.840] And then, you don't remember that there's a whole ecosystem that is listening, that is purchasing, that is wearing and using your products each and every day.
[00:19:38.840 --> 00:19:45.720] And it's like, once you leave your house, you're like, oh, oh, wait a minute, y'all are right, right?
[00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:55.720] When did Legendary Roots start for real?
[00:19:56.040 --> 00:19:59.640] Okay, it started for real, let's say 2016.
[00:19:59.960 --> 00:20:03.320] So, 2014 is when I kind of the seed was planted.
[00:20:03.320 --> 00:20:06.680] Um, but I would say it rooted really in 2016.
[00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:10.440] I was, you know, I got all my documents together, bank accounts.
[00:20:10.440 --> 00:20:15.240] You know, before I was kind of flying, you know, from the seat of my pants, just trying to figure it out as I go.
[00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:20.600] It's funny because I'm a, I'm a, I will, I will call myself a forever learner.
[00:20:20.600 --> 00:20:27.640] Um, and while I was like, I think I was waiting for one of my labs for one of my biochemistry labs, I was listening to a podcast, you know, people talking and playing around.
[00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:29.480] I ain't got all the time for that.
[00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.840] I'm working, I'm chilling.
[00:20:30.840 --> 00:20:40.200] And so, I was listening to a podcast and I was actually listening to, I don't remember if it was called something else, but Mylik Till, her podcast, and she had a podcast on branding.
[00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:47.240] Before that, I like I knew I wanted to make things look pretty, but I don't necessarily know if I understood the importance of branding.
[00:20:47.240 --> 00:21:00.440] And I feel like in that same that was around that 2016 time period where I was listening to that podcast and she was talking about like everything that you put out externally is it should connect back to the brand, the ethos of the brand, the heart of the brand.
[00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:08.840] And I think that that's what has helped to make the brand so successful is that the brand, the branding aspects of it, the art of it, the look of it.
[00:21:08.840 --> 00:21:20.000] Um, a lot of times, like, I'll, you know, I might have a call with a consultant that I might want to work with, and I'll tell them, like, oh, yeah, my brand, my target audience is 25 to 35, and they might be 45, 50.
[00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:21.680] And they're like, can you send the link?
[00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:22.640] So I send the link.
[00:21:22.640 --> 00:21:26.560] They're like, hold on, this is actually something that I want as well.
[00:21:26.560 --> 00:21:31.040] And I think it connects back to that brand, the art and the beauty of it all.
[00:21:31.040 --> 00:21:41.280] I mean, you are uniquely blessed in that area because not everyone can literally take care of the branding in-house from your own brain and own design, like fingertips.
[00:21:41.280 --> 00:21:44.560] So I love that about your brand.
[00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:47.440] And what was behind the legendary roots name, too?
[00:21:48.080 --> 00:21:50.320] I think my sister helped me come up with it.
[00:21:50.320 --> 00:21:52.560] I don't want to say what the original name was.
[00:21:53.760 --> 00:21:56.400] The original name was so, it was so bad.
[00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:57.840] The original name was so bad.
[00:21:58.160 --> 00:22:02.800] I don't really remember where the, like, I just remember, you know, you know, you're with your sisters.
[00:22:02.800 --> 00:22:04.720] Yeah, you know, you're with your sisters, you're with your family.
[00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:06.640] You're just talking and we were talking.
[00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:08.880] And she was like, oh, what about legendary roots?
[00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:10.880] I was like, okay, okay.
[00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:12.240] I want to make a little different.
[00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:14.320] So let's put to that S for a Z.
[00:22:14.320 --> 00:22:19.520] And I love it because even when I'm talking about my brand, like, you know, I'll tell people, oh, they're like, oh, what do you do?
[00:22:19.520 --> 00:22:22.160] I'm like, oh, I own Legendary Roots with a Z.
[00:22:22.160 --> 00:22:22.960] And they're like, hold on.
[00:22:23.040 --> 00:22:24.320] So they'll pull it out.
[00:22:24.320 --> 00:22:27.840] They'll go to Google and, you know, they'll do their own like scrolling and searching and all that.
[00:22:27.840 --> 00:22:31.120] But I think that's where the name came from.
[00:22:31.120 --> 00:22:31.600] Yes.
[00:22:31.600 --> 00:22:36.880] I like that you mentioned too that that wasn't the original name to remind everybody, you got to start somewhere.
[00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:41.440] And see out here, they may not have started there.
[00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:41.920] Okay.
[00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:44.800] So sometimes people get stuck like, oh, that's the perfect name.
[00:22:44.800 --> 00:22:46.640] How did they think about it?
[00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:48.000] Blah, blah blah blah.
[00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:49.680] Like, let's move forward.
[00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:51.280] Like one step at a time.
[00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:55.600] Um, you said something about your first customer being the first customer of the business.
[00:22:55.600 --> 00:22:56.880] Did I get that right?
[00:22:56.840 --> 00:22:59.040] Alex, do you remember who that customer was?
[00:22:59.040 --> 00:22:59.760] What they bought?
[00:22:59.840 --> 00:23:01.560] Yeah, it's my homegirl, Asia.
[00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:07.160] I don't remember what she bought, but yeah, she was the first supporter, right?
[00:23:07.160 --> 00:23:12.200] Shout out to Asia, she was the first supporter of my econ business and the first supporter of like the shop.
[00:23:12.360 --> 00:23:18.360] So, you talked a little bit about okay, setting up your bank account, the naming, like those first steps to get started.
[00:23:18.360 --> 00:23:26.280] But I'm curious what the early days looked like for you, putting up your website, selling stuff, and then having to actually send it to people.
[00:23:26.280 --> 00:23:28.200] What was your process at the time?
[00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:36.840] So, once I got the name established, bank accounts, all the um back-end stuff uh created, I um knew that I needed to have the products products hosted.
[00:23:36.840 --> 00:23:41.800] Um, I did do like print on demand, which was really helpful, especially being a college student.
[00:23:41.800 --> 00:23:47.960] Um, I didn't want to have tons of tons of boxes in my dorm, which that did happen eventually later.
[00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:57.720] Um, but I so I took pictures of the products, um, I ordered some samples, um, and I posted them on the site and I started sharing them.
[00:23:57.720 --> 00:24:08.760] Um, what I will say is, I would say, even till till now, but from 2016 to 2019, social media support was a huge driver.
[00:24:08.760 --> 00:24:11.080] Um, I think people were sharing them.
[00:24:11.080 --> 00:24:13.880] Like, I don't know if you remember Tumblr, I think it might be coming back a little bit.
[00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:15.800] Yeah, I used to love Tumblr.
[00:24:15.800 --> 00:24:17.160] Oh my God, yeah.
[00:24:17.160 --> 00:24:18.520] People were posting on Tumblr.
[00:24:18.520 --> 00:24:21.640] There were a lot of like black empowerment pages, so I would like submit to them.
[00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:22.920] They would post it sometimes.
[00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:28.600] I wouldn't even know, you know, I do like a little search for legendary roots, and that's something that I will say about the name.
[00:24:28.600 --> 00:24:32.280] It's so unique that it's kind of separated from anybody else.
[00:24:32.280 --> 00:24:36.040] So, when I would search it, I would find what was about my brand, even if they didn't tag me.
[00:24:36.040 --> 00:24:39.400] They might have, you know, wrote it as a tag, but like they didn't actually tag the brand.
[00:24:39.400 --> 00:24:40.760] So, I really appreciated that.
[00:24:40.760 --> 00:24:44.800] But Tumblr was a really big in the beginning, Tumblr was a really big pusher.
[00:24:44.800 --> 00:24:56.240] And then getting everything set up, I don't remember, I don't recall when I switched over to Shopify, but Shopify was the goal in getting things set up easily.
[00:24:58.080 --> 00:25:01.200] I was able to integrate it with my different payment processors.
[00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:03.120] I love it.
[00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:05.520] I hope they stay consistent.
[00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:10.560] I don't know where else I want to go, but I really appreciate Shopify.
[00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:16.400] And even now, like it's crazy to because I do a lot, I do most everything.
[00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:22.000] So I'm in the back end updating things, adding tags, updating descriptions, photos, all that.
[00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:27.040] And I love how the software has like really grown since when I was first using it.
[00:25:27.600 --> 00:25:32.560] But I think Shopify and having a website really helped me to ease things out.
[00:25:32.560 --> 00:25:35.280] So I wasn't necessarily having to touch any product.
[00:25:35.280 --> 00:25:45.440] So if I had an idea, unless I had used those colors of the style before, I would always order a sample just so I could take my own pictures, just so I can make sure that it looks how I envisioned it.
[00:25:45.680 --> 00:25:49.840] Because a lot of times I was just creating on my laptop, which that's like three laptops ago.
[00:25:49.840 --> 00:25:51.600] That's one thing I will say.
[00:25:51.600 --> 00:26:00.000] It ran my laptops through, but I saw it on my laptop, got the sample, like approved it, which I was the approver, but approved it, took pictures of it.
[00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:01.920] Maybe, and that's another thing too.
[00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:04.480] One of my cousins, she's not a cousin, but you know us.
[00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.680] She's one of my cousins.
[00:26:07.520 --> 00:26:08.800] Her name is Kayla Jones.
[00:26:08.800 --> 00:26:10.880] She's a model singer actress.
[00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:15.600] And she was like one of my first models, which that was a whole other thing.
[00:26:15.600 --> 00:26:21.680] I think really building as I went allowed me to understand the processes.
[00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:34.520] And I would say in 2020, things blew up everywhere for everyone, but for the business, especially, this is when I needed, I couldn't take emails in my email processor anymore.
[00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:36.280] Gmail no longer worked for me.
[00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:39.240] I had to find a software to facilitate that.
[00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.280] I had to bring in help.
[00:26:40.280 --> 00:26:50.040] I just couldn't do this by myself from customer service to fulfillment to not necessarily marketing and design.
[00:26:50.040 --> 00:26:59.000] I did actually have someone help me with some Facebook ads, but from the design standpoint and like the business admin standpoint, that's where I kind of felt like I shined the best.
[00:26:59.160 --> 00:27:02.280] So I definitely appreciated those who came and helped me out.
[00:27:02.280 --> 00:27:08.120] Obviously, I was paying them, but like they came and really helped to get the business back on solid ground when things really got shook up.
[00:27:14.120 --> 00:27:19.480] I mean, if you've shopped online, chances are you've bought from a business powered by Shopify.
[00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:22.600] You know that purple shop pay button you see at checkout?
[00:27:22.600 --> 00:27:25.240] The one that makes buying so incredibly easy?
[00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:26.520] That's Shopify.
[00:27:26.520 --> 00:27:33.640] And there's a reason so many businesses sell with it because Shopify makes it incredibly easy to start and run your business.
[00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:42.120] Shopify is the commerce platform behind 10% of all e-commerce in the U.S., from household names like Mattel and Gymshark to brands just getting started.
[00:27:42.120 --> 00:27:50.680] Shopify gives you that leg up from day one with hundreds of beautiful ready-to-go templates to express your brand style and forget about the coat.
[00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:56.200] Tackle all those important tasks in one place from inventory to payments to analytics and more.
[00:27:56.200 --> 00:28:01.240] And spread your brand name with built-in marketing and email tools to find and keep new customers.
[00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:07.000] And did I mention that iconic purple shop pay button that's used by millions of businesses around the world?
[00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:11.000] It's why Shopify has the best converting checkout on the planet.
[00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:13.000] Your customers already love it.
[00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:17.600] If you want to see less cards being abandoned, it's time for you to head over to Shopify.
[00:28:17.600 --> 00:28:24.240] Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/slash hustlepro.
[00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:26.800] Go to shopify.com/slash hustle pro.
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[00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:02.440] Just so much to unpack here.
[00:29:59.920 --> 00:30:03.400] Number one, all right.
[00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:07.960] So when you were starting with Shopify, you're still in the dorm room at this point.
[00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:11.160] You're still managing this with your actual studies.
[00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:11.720] Yep.
[00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:16.600] But, but how much was the business making back in those days?
[00:30:16.600 --> 00:30:21.160] Was this like paying your college tuition or just a nice little side hustle check?
[00:30:21.480 --> 00:30:29.160] So thankfully, with my grades from high school and with the scholarship from my church, my tuition was covered, room and board was covered.
[00:30:29.480 --> 00:30:32.440] However, like my living money wasn't covered.
[00:30:32.440 --> 00:30:42.120] And I think the business, and from the get-go, the way that I built the business, even from a pricing, a product pricing standpoint, it's always been profitable, which is a blessing.
[00:30:42.520 --> 00:30:45.800] And so I was making significant money.
[00:30:45.800 --> 00:30:47.480] However, I was not managing it well.
[00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:53.160] So even though I was bringing in, you know, hundreds thousands sometimes, I wasn't managing it.
[00:30:53.160 --> 00:30:53.400] Yeah.
[00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:56.040] I was just bringing it in, you know, eventually down the line.
[00:30:56.040 --> 00:30:56.680] And that's something too.
[00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:58.440] What were you buying?
[00:30:58.440 --> 00:31:00.120] I was feeding it.
[00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:02.760] I was, you know, I was a college student.
[00:31:02.760 --> 00:31:05.320] So, you know, I was, you know, feeding myself.
[00:31:05.480 --> 00:31:06.520] That's one thing I will say.
[00:31:06.520 --> 00:31:09.880] I was feeding myself, you know, I really, and that's the crazy thing.
[00:31:09.880 --> 00:31:11.160] That's the crazy thing.
[00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:14.120] Like, I think back, I wasn't really buying nothing like for real.
[00:31:14.120 --> 00:31:16.680] You know, I was just crazy.
[00:31:16.680 --> 00:31:21.400] All I do is like eat and shop on, like, you know, where did it go?
[00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:22.360] I'm not even going to be able to do it.
[00:31:22.520 --> 00:31:23.800] Literally, literally.
[00:31:23.800 --> 00:31:26.760] I will say though, I definitely like, you know, I bought me a new computer.
[00:31:26.760 --> 00:31:30.280] No, I bought me a refurbished computer, which was business, right?
[00:31:30.360 --> 00:31:32.600] I needed that, you know, label printers.
[00:31:32.920 --> 00:31:36.200] That's what I mentioned when I believe it was sophomore junior year.
[00:31:36.200 --> 00:31:39.720] I started doing swimwear and kind of one-off things.
[00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:46.480] I don't know if I necessarily know if I like that lane for me, but that was really fun to be able to do something real unique.
[00:31:44.840 --> 00:31:48.560] And that I think the girlies loved it.
[00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:53.040] They ate that up because it was just so different from what was being offered.
[00:31:53.040 --> 00:32:00.480] But yeah, before QuickBooks got introduced, yeah, the money was coming in and it was going out.
[00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:01.520] So yeah.
[00:32:02.160 --> 00:32:02.560] All right.
[00:32:02.560 --> 00:32:04.880] Well, I'm glad you tightened that up.
[00:32:04.880 --> 00:32:05.760] Oh, my goodness.
[00:32:05.760 --> 00:32:08.480] That's a common refrain, though.
[00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:10.880] So at that point, right?
[00:32:10.880 --> 00:32:22.000] Like, what were some of the shifts that you had to make to start to put some structure in place around finances, around really tightening up the business?
[00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:27.200] So one, knowing my numbers, like I didn't know, you know, what my average order value was.
[00:32:27.200 --> 00:32:29.760] I didn't know how many email subscribers I had.
[00:32:29.760 --> 00:32:33.520] I didn't know how much sales I was making on a monthly, weekly, daily basis.
[00:32:33.520 --> 00:32:35.440] I didn't know how many sessions I was getting.
[00:32:35.440 --> 00:32:42.160] Those numbers matter, obviously, just to make sure that your business is profitable, but also so you can understand, you know, how to talk to people.
[00:32:42.160 --> 00:32:48.400] In my email list, I have a very large email list now, and I'm actually in the works of kind of re-engaging with that list.
[00:32:48.880 --> 00:32:56.800] But knowing how many sessions I'm getting and, you know, there's no point in having pop-ups and products and all this stuff if you're not getting people to your site.
[00:32:57.040 --> 00:33:02.320] So that like helped me knowing where my sessions were coming from, whether that was social media, whether that was direct.
[00:33:02.320 --> 00:33:06.320] I mean, that's something that I would say has been a blessing and a frustration.
[00:33:06.320 --> 00:33:16.320] I won't call it a curse, but it's been a frustration because I believe from conversations I've had with others that a lot of my business does come from word of mouth, which is a blessing because that's free.
[00:33:16.320 --> 00:33:19.040] That's, you know, and it's oftentimes from somebody who supported me.
[00:33:19.040 --> 00:33:27.200] So they're speaking well on the brand um but i just can't necessarily have control over them, you know, and really be able to speak to them unless they come exactly.
[00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:38.200] But knowing you, knowing your mattress is key you said quickbooks and did you hire a cpa or just like really start learning to be a better bookkeeper yourself So I did hire a CPA.
[00:33:38.440 --> 00:33:38.840] I did.
[00:33:38.840 --> 00:33:40.680] So I knew that I needed to do QuickBooks.
[00:33:40.680 --> 00:33:46.360] And what's great about everything, a lot of the business I run, because I ran an e-commerce business, a lot was online.
[00:33:46.360 --> 00:33:50.840] So, you know, I was able to plug and play a lot of that information and sort through it as needed.
[00:33:50.840 --> 00:33:55.240] But that CPA helped me because I had a ton of transactions.
[00:33:55.240 --> 00:33:59.960] I don't know if you use QuickBooks, but like with their PayPal and like the fees and all that.
[00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:02.280] So they were able to come in and get me right.
[00:34:02.520 --> 00:34:05.480] And now I'm able to do it by myself.
[00:34:05.640 --> 00:34:12.920] I, you know, it's like just like an admin task that I go in, you know, on a weekly basis and make sure things are being sorted and where they need to be.
[00:34:12.920 --> 00:34:18.120] But hiring the CPA really helped me to take it off my plate.
[00:34:18.120 --> 00:34:24.760] And to, I don't know if you experienced this, but like, I don't, it's like, I'm acting funny with money and I don't need to.
[00:34:25.000 --> 00:34:26.920] I need to know my numbers.
[00:34:26.920 --> 00:34:30.440] So having somebody to come in and get me right.
[00:34:30.440 --> 00:34:33.000] And she, and too, she's a black, she was a black woman.
[00:34:33.480 --> 00:34:33.880] Yeah.
[00:34:33.880 --> 00:34:34.760] I'm working with somebody.
[00:34:35.720 --> 00:34:37.320] You can't just be like, exactly.
[00:34:37.320 --> 00:34:39.080] No one's going to see this, but me.
[00:34:39.320 --> 00:34:39.640] Exactly.
[00:34:40.840 --> 00:34:42.680] When you know her name is.
[00:34:44.680 --> 00:34:48.600] When you're working by yourself, it's so easy to not hold yourself accountable.
[00:34:48.600 --> 00:34:54.120] It's so easy to just let things pass by the wayside because you have other, you do have other things going on.
[00:34:54.120 --> 00:35:04.360] But like you said, that extra accountability allowed me to really lock in, make sure my numbers were right, make sure I had money to pay her to do what I needed her to do.
[00:35:04.360 --> 00:35:17.040] And make sure that as I was making money, I was able to understand the amount of money I could take back and invest, whether that was into new products, whether that was into marketing services, whether that was into influencers.
[00:35:17.360 --> 00:35:25.040] Um, there's no point in, in my opinion, running a business if you are not profitable, like, or you cannot run a business if you're not profitable.
[00:35:25.280 --> 00:35:27.760] So, I had to, I low-key had to turn myself down.
[00:35:28.000 --> 00:35:33.520] And the IRS will tell you that, too, they'll say, There you go, yeah, is it a business?
[00:35:33.520 --> 00:35:34.800] Is it a business?
[00:35:34.800 --> 00:35:37.680] Like, so exactly.
[00:35:38.480 --> 00:35:41.840] And what else did you learn on the side of growing your business?
[00:35:41.840 --> 00:35:43.760] Like you said, there's a lot of word of mouth here.
[00:35:43.760 --> 00:35:49.200] Did you actually do any focus marketing or think about that at all when you were starting out?
[00:35:49.200 --> 00:35:50.960] On how do I get people?
[00:35:50.960 --> 00:35:57.120] You mentioned ads, like, what were you doing before you even got to ads to grow and market the business?
[00:35:57.120 --> 00:36:00.720] Um, I didn't do anything to be to be candid.
[00:36:00.720 --> 00:36:06.400] I did what I will say is, like I said, I speak to my family a lot, like, and it's mostly women.
[00:36:06.400 --> 00:36:08.720] So, if I have a new design, I will show them.
[00:36:08.720 --> 00:36:10.320] Um, I was would you wear this?
[00:36:10.320 --> 00:36:11.600] Give me an honest opinion.
[00:36:11.600 --> 00:36:12.640] And that's something too.
[00:36:12.640 --> 00:36:22.000] Um, I know that as artists, we're very sensitive about our stuff, but that's something that I really appreciated is that that blatant honesty because I don't want to put nothing out that's that's funky.
[00:36:22.000 --> 00:36:28.640] You know, if it's near and dear to my heart, and it's something that I really feel like people resonate, I'm gonna do it because I'm the decision maker at the end of the day.
[00:36:28.640 --> 00:36:31.200] Um, but having those conversations with people really helped.
[00:36:31.200 --> 00:36:39.920] I will say, um, last year, two years ago, I'm working on like a new product that's separate from apparel, accessories, and home decor.
[00:36:39.920 --> 00:36:42.160] And I wanted to get people's feedback.
[00:36:42.160 --> 00:36:48.240] And so, I did like a survey, like I think I shared it on like our Instagram on our stories, and people actually engaged with it.
[00:36:48.240 --> 00:36:56.960] And I was able to get that really it was it helped me with my decision making and understanding potentially the lanes that I could go go to with that product.
[00:36:56.960 --> 00:38:34.880] So, I would say that has been helpful okay and speaking of all so you have a lot of products and you have to manage as a e-commerce business owner that dance between ideas the excitement to create it and then not having just too much stuff on your site right consumer overwhelm or not having I don't know if you hold any inventory at all now but or where you manufacture but having to balance inventory loads so you're not losing money so how did you manage that process a lot of my designs that are on the site a lot of them are like print on demand some of them are inventory 3pls are really great which is like a fulfillment service is really great um one one of the products that i currently manufacture myself which it is a manufacturing but it's like it's not i don't wouldn't call it on that scale but the product a product that i manufacture myself um is our acrylic bookmarks and right now one of my goals uh is to get uh the products into wholesale i actually don't know if i really like the process of like holding my own inventory selling it that way um i love wholesale i love retail um and obviously i love like direct to consumer for my products that are print on demand um but that's like one of the another like kind of lane that i'm trying to get into where i'm able to kind of have more of a grasp on how much is my inventory worth what i'm spending if that makes sense no that makes sense because inventory is expensive no matter what the price point is it is expensive to have to buy and hold inventory.
[00:38:34.880 --> 00:38:44.560] And when you say prints on demand, I'm curious if, so, for example, the pour Into You mug, which i'll insert a picture since i don't have it right now.
[00:38:44.560 --> 00:38:49.040] Um, that is a very beautiful rose pink colored glass.
[00:38:44.680 --> 00:38:53.760] So, that's not like you're when you think prints on demand, you're usually thinking a picture on a white mug.
[00:38:53.760 --> 00:38:57.200] Like, is that considered prints on demand?
[00:38:57.200 --> 00:39:00.560] Because it is a unique color, a unique composition.
[00:39:00.560 --> 00:39:10.400] Uh, no, that's actually like that's a limited edition product, and this is something I definitely need to do better work with, um, especially with when it comes to marketing and kind of uh brand storytelling.
[00:39:10.400 --> 00:39:27.840] Um, a lot of times, I don't know, uh, this last past year, uh, for Black History Month, I released a collection, and uh, one of our bags was a dope black woman bag, and that bag was people were they were, I wasn't getting death threats, but it was close in our email.
[00:39:27.840 --> 00:39:40.720] Um, and that was a limited edition product, and that's something that I need to do a better job of as a brand and brand owner is sharing those opportunities that I do receive to make sure people know that this is like a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing.
[00:39:40.720 --> 00:39:43.280] I don't know if I'll ever produce something like this again.
[00:39:43.680 --> 00:39:48.560] Yeah, and so I need to, I definitely need to do a better job if I do get more opportunities for that in the future.
[00:39:48.560 --> 00:39:54.560] I'll definitely do that because, um, I want people to be able to get those limited edition items.
[00:39:54.560 --> 00:40:02.880] Um, whenever I'm creating kind of like you said, the pouring to you uh black queen, where it's like a different product, something that you can't, you can't go to a store and get that.
[00:40:02.880 --> 00:40:10.560] That's something that is inside of me that I create from like the pro like the design that's actually on the product to the color to the material.
[00:40:10.560 --> 00:40:14.800] Like, I'm hands-on in everything that I create and I put out in that in that lane.
[00:40:14.800 --> 00:40:21.840] And I kind of think of it like a china cabinet, you know, those pieces that you know you're not even supposed to touch, but you obviously can't.
[00:40:21.840 --> 00:40:24.400] I make them for use, but I want them.
[00:40:24.400 --> 00:40:34.840] I really appreciate those opportunities because I'm able to create things that I might not not necessarily feel like is the best capital investment for my business directly.
[00:40:35.000 --> 00:40:44.120] So when I am working with like retailers and wholesale, I'm able to kind of put a little more pizzazz on it than I'm able to offer at this level that I'm at.
[00:40:44.120 --> 00:40:57.480] Okay, because with those partnerships, do they so they're obviously holding the inventory and then they command more so that you can put more into the creation that might be more expensive, right?
[00:40:57.480 --> 00:41:03.160] Yes.
[00:41:03.480 --> 00:41:07.640] So now let's transition to talking about getting into these major retailers.
[00:41:07.640 --> 00:41:10.360] So you've worked with brands like Target.
[00:41:10.360 --> 00:41:17.400] Let me know if there are some others you want to spotlight, but how did the partnership with Target come about?
[00:41:17.400 --> 00:41:19.400] How did you get into retail?
[00:41:19.400 --> 00:41:25.640] So I feel like we kind of talked about this earlier, but I truly believe that my name is in rooms that I haven't stepped into yet.
[00:41:25.880 --> 00:41:27.560] They actually reached out to me.
[00:41:27.560 --> 00:41:30.360] I don't really, and I probably should have asked this.
[00:41:30.360 --> 00:41:33.720] I don't really know how they discovered me, probably social media as well.
[00:41:34.280 --> 00:41:40.280] But when we were, you know, initially having a conversation, you know, it was kind of just like, this is a project we're working on.
[00:41:40.520 --> 00:41:43.160] We would love to, you know, see what you have to offer.
[00:41:43.400 --> 00:41:45.320] And it kind of built from there.
[00:41:45.480 --> 00:41:47.240] I've learned a lot.
[00:41:47.240 --> 00:41:48.280] I've learned a lot.
[00:41:48.520 --> 00:42:05.080] Not necessarily even about from a design standpoint, which I've learned a lot in that regard, but in a communication standpoint, in a negotiating standpoint, and from like a business standpoint, from legal, I really appreciated the opportunity to work with retailers because it pushed me and forced me to learn more.
[00:42:05.120 --> 00:42:09.400] Um, when I was just doing, you know, my e-commerce site, I wasn't working with anyone else.
[00:42:09.440 --> 00:42:10.840] Um, I was making the decisions.
[00:42:10.840 --> 00:42:12.840] I can, if I wanted to shut down today, I could.
[00:42:13.560 --> 00:42:16.720] That was an option because, you know, it was just me um doing it.
[00:42:16.720 --> 00:42:28.080] But working with the retailers has allowed me to learn and grow as a business owner and also to share products that I couldn't even imagine truly being held in my hand.
[00:42:28.080 --> 00:42:31.040] Um, and I'm able to create those, even this.
[00:42:31.040 --> 00:42:34.080] This is uh from uh this year's collection as well.
[00:42:34.080 --> 00:42:39.360] And I knew when I made it, I said, Oh, yeah, they're gonna love this because I love it.
[00:42:39.360 --> 00:42:43.040] And again, I create for myself and also for my audience.
[00:42:43.040 --> 00:42:44.320] How do those perform?
[00:42:44.320 --> 00:42:46.000] Like, how are you assessed?
[00:42:46.000 --> 00:42:48.080] And I mean, obviously, you're selling out, right?
[00:42:48.080 --> 00:42:52.800] But yes, how do those perform on the financial end, right?
[00:42:52.800 --> 00:42:58.640] Now that you have a partner and you're doing revenue differently, and profitability looks different.
[00:42:58.640 --> 00:42:59.760] So, how is that for you?
[00:42:59.760 --> 00:43:04.880] Is it worthwhile for you beyond the visibility and brand awareness?
[00:43:04.880 --> 00:43:08.080] Is it fiscally worthwhile for you?
[00:43:08.080 --> 00:43:11.440] Um, yeah, I would say it's definitely fiscally worthwhile.
[00:43:11.440 --> 00:43:18.720] Um, and two, it allows me two things: it allows me to pay my bills, it allows me to sustain myself.
[00:43:18.720 --> 00:43:23.360] I will say though, I am actually working full-time and also doing this.
[00:43:23.360 --> 00:43:36.000] I'm, I've, I've been in a battle between um next directions for my life as a creative, um, but this allows me to sustain life, it allows me to go out and travel and research and see.
[00:43:36.000 --> 00:43:43.360] Like, I actually was able to visit Amsterdam last year and see, you know, visit boutiques and see what they were doing, see how they were doing things.
[00:43:43.360 --> 00:43:47.520] Um, so this is definitely, it's definitely fiscally helpful to the business.
[00:43:47.520 --> 00:43:51.920] And also, it allows for me to speak on my brand, speak on myself.
[00:43:51.920 --> 00:43:58.080] It's one thing for me to share my numbers from a like an e-commerce standpoint on how successful that business has been.
[00:43:58.080 --> 00:44:06.120] But when I go into a Fortune 500 company and say, I did this, the business did this, the supporters did this, they show up and they show out.
[00:44:06.360 --> 00:44:15.000] It really helps me as a business to show that I not only really resonate with my audience and sometimes others, but also that the products resonate.
[00:44:15.000 --> 00:44:15.480] Yes.
[00:44:15.480 --> 00:44:21.480] And what you've been able to do on your own as a business owner, not a lot of people have done that.
[00:44:21.480 --> 00:44:24.920] So you could really take that and go into so many fields.
[00:44:24.920 --> 00:44:37.960] Speaking of deciding on your next direction in life, but tell us about how your side hustle journey has been: working full-time and then having this hugely successful company with brand partnerships, with being in retail at Target.
[00:44:37.960 --> 00:44:41.400] First of all, like when did you start working full-time?
[00:44:41.400 --> 00:44:45.480] What industry did you decide on instead of biochemistry?
[00:44:45.480 --> 00:44:46.600] How has it been?
[00:44:46.600 --> 00:44:47.080] Gotcha.
[00:44:47.080 --> 00:44:53.400] So I was actually just running Legendary Roots full-time until 2023, I believe.
[00:44:53.400 --> 00:44:55.960] And I was like, I think I want a job.
[00:44:55.960 --> 00:44:57.240] I wanted more.
[00:44:57.240 --> 00:45:01.800] I wanted obviously more money, more ability to do things.
[00:45:01.800 --> 00:45:03.000] I love traveling.
[00:45:03.000 --> 00:45:07.240] If I want to go somewhere, I would love having the opportunity to go and travel.
[00:45:07.480 --> 00:45:10.040] I work remotely, which is really a blessing.
[00:45:10.040 --> 00:45:12.360] I work in the nonprofit field.
[00:45:12.600 --> 00:45:15.240] If you are into politics, you might have seen my work.
[00:45:15.240 --> 00:45:17.880] It's not signed by me, but you might have seen my work.
[00:45:18.040 --> 00:45:24.040] I won't share the company, but you know, I think I can put two and two together.
[00:45:24.360 --> 00:45:24.920] Yeah.
[00:45:25.960 --> 00:45:42.600] And I love it because the work that I'm doing is, I truly believe making a difference and I, and, and something that I really love my impact that I've been able to take the important work that my organization is doing and put it to something visually beautiful.
[00:45:42.600 --> 00:45:51.600] I think that's like my whole thing is like turning, you know, a lot of text, a lot of words, a lot of passion and putting it to something that's digestible.
[00:45:52.240 --> 00:46:00.560] And I definitely had to learn the balance, especially working on these bigger projects with huge retailers while also having a full nine to five.
[00:46:00.720 --> 00:46:03.040] And one thing that really helped me was getting sleep.
[00:46:03.040 --> 00:46:04.640] I have a bedtime.
[00:46:04.640 --> 00:46:08.640] I and it's funny because my bedtime is 10:45.
[00:46:08.640 --> 00:46:11.440] I don't know if that's late, early, but 10:45.
[00:46:11.440 --> 00:46:13.920] And I like, I, you know, I have a morning routine.
[00:46:13.920 --> 00:46:19.040] So that's part of like the reason why, because I'm like, are you burnt out or you're not getting enough rest?
[00:46:19.040 --> 00:46:20.800] And oftentimes I wasn't getting enough rest.
[00:46:20.800 --> 00:46:22.720] So I had to, again, have that conversation with myself.
[00:46:22.720 --> 00:46:24.640] So I set a bedtime.
[00:46:24.960 --> 00:46:30.640] Once I'm done with work, I kind of allow some time to just, you know, chill, relax, not do anything.
[00:46:30.640 --> 00:46:37.280] And then I like around six, you know, like the my five to nine after my nine to five, um, I'm making dinner.
[00:46:37.280 --> 00:46:39.200] I'm looking at my task tracker.
[00:46:39.200 --> 00:46:44.720] I use, I don't know if you've heard of clickup, but I use click up to track my task, track what I'm doing.
[00:46:44.720 --> 00:46:47.360] Sometimes I forget to go into clickup.
[00:46:47.360 --> 00:46:54.560] So I'm, you know, reconciling my dates, making sure that I'm up to date on whatever I need to do and then kind of setting things out.
[00:46:54.560 --> 00:46:59.760] And also, I know that not a lot of people are fortunate, but I have a separate space.
[00:46:59.760 --> 00:47:02.640] So sometimes I do work from bed, to be honest.
[00:47:02.640 --> 00:47:07.040] But I try to come to my office and separate the two so that when I'm working, I'm working.
[00:47:07.040 --> 00:47:08.240] And when I'm relaxing, I'm relaxing.
[00:47:08.240 --> 00:47:12.560] And that's helped me to find a lot of peace in all of the different like things that I juggle.
[00:47:13.120 --> 00:47:20.320] You know, it's so interesting because it's good to talk to people because a lot of people are assuming from the outside in what your life must look like.
[00:47:20.320 --> 00:47:25.840] Like you're doing this, you're in this retailer, you must be doing XYZ.
[00:47:25.840 --> 00:47:28.400] But actually, you decided, like, hey, you know what?
[00:47:28.400 --> 00:47:29.360] I want more.
[00:47:29.360 --> 00:47:36.200] And it sounds like you're like, I want more predictability because that's the, I like your word, the frustration.
[00:47:36.200 --> 00:47:40.040] I won't call it a christmas, you know, of course.
[00:47:40.040 --> 00:47:47.320] But that is the road that you travel sometimes as an entrepreneur is the less predictability around your income.
[00:47:47.320 --> 00:47:49.960] And sometimes you might just say, I'm, you know what, I'm tired of this.
[00:47:49.960 --> 00:47:54.280] Like, I like, I still like doing this, but I'm going to need a regular paycheck too.
[00:47:55.240 --> 00:47:58.360] So it sounds like that was part of the appeal for you.
[00:47:58.360 --> 00:47:58.840] Right.
[00:47:58.840 --> 00:48:02.760] And we kind of touched on it when it comes to like knowing your numbers, knowing your metrics.
[00:48:03.000 --> 00:48:08.440] I don't know if people like know about like fire, but like financially independent, retire early.
[00:48:08.440 --> 00:48:12.200] So like learning about money, learning that money is a tool.
[00:48:12.600 --> 00:48:23.160] And therapy, I think, has really helped me to work on like the fears around money, the fears of around lack, and really being okay with those feelings, letting those feelings sit.
[00:48:23.160 --> 00:48:28.280] And because oftentimes those feelings subconsciously are the reasons why you're making certain decisions.
[00:48:28.280 --> 00:48:42.680] So I think knowing what I want and knowing why I wanted has really allowed me to be okay with certain decisions, whether that's working full-time, whether that's not working full-time and freelancing, because I was freelancing at one point.
[00:48:42.680 --> 00:48:48.600] And two, it kind of, like you said, it takes that pressure off and it allows me to reaffirm my skills.
[00:48:48.600 --> 00:49:07.240] Like just because I, you know, can create beautiful things for legendary roots, different spaces, different industries, being able to really show my skill sets because, and I think that that is definitely something that I struggle with when I was navigating whether I was going to get a full-time freelance, doing whatever to just supplement my income.
[00:49:07.240 --> 00:49:13.320] Is that because I did Legendary Roots for so long, that was my portfolio.
[00:49:13.320 --> 00:49:17.120] I, and, you know, I definitely helped with other people in my life.
[00:49:14.680 --> 00:49:20.400] I helped them do their branding, but that was like a branding identity.
[00:49:14.840 --> 00:49:21.840] That was not it, but that was it.
[00:49:22.000 --> 00:49:28.480] I really couldn't show and really speak to how my design work has allowed for businesses to thrive.
[00:49:28.720 --> 00:49:33.040] So, freelancing and working with Sign of 5 have reinstilled that for me.
[00:49:33.040 --> 00:49:35.600] And I've never really worked in corporate America.
[00:49:35.840 --> 00:49:40.560] So, it instilled the, you know, my skill sets around cross-functional.
[00:49:40.560 --> 00:49:44.720] And I'm still using that when these opportunities come with retailers.
[00:49:44.720 --> 00:49:46.160] You know, email, I don't know.
[00:49:46.160 --> 00:49:54.560] I don't know if you experienced it, but the emails and the meetings and all that and being able to have conversations and translate your ideas well.
[00:49:54.560 --> 00:49:58.800] I'm picking up all that as I'm going because I know what my final goal is.
[00:49:58.800 --> 00:50:02.720] So, I'm using that as like a leadway to where I really want to go.
[00:50:02.720 --> 00:50:04.000] Oh, I love that.
[00:50:04.000 --> 00:50:10.320] Oh, you said so many important things, knowing your numbers, of course, but knowing your numbers and relating it to your goal.
[00:50:10.560 --> 00:50:14.960] So many of us, we don't stop enough to say, okay, what do I really want out of life?
[00:50:15.600 --> 00:50:19.760] And how do I want to focus on getting there?
[00:50:20.400 --> 00:50:26.400] And if you want to retire by a certain age, then, all right, you're going to need your numbers to look a certain way.
[00:50:26.400 --> 00:50:28.640] What are the actual numbers that you need?
[00:50:28.640 --> 00:50:29.040] All right.
[00:50:29.040 --> 00:50:32.480] Then you could say, Okay, I need X amount per year, per month.
[00:50:32.480 --> 00:50:37.440] And the other thing is, were you ever worried about it taking away from your business?
[00:50:37.440 --> 00:50:41.440] Because that's something people worry about: like, all right, well, how will I juggle both now?
[00:50:41.440 --> 00:50:43.680] That's basically two full-time jobs.
[00:50:43.680 --> 00:50:46.080] Yeah, yeah, you said it.
[00:50:46.080 --> 00:50:58.240] Um, I would say that I think I've always been a go-getter, so I don't necessarily took it, I didn't, I never took it from that lens of like, you know, one taking over the other.
[00:50:58.240 --> 00:50:59.520] It was about balance.
[00:50:59.520 --> 00:51:07.560] Like, I, and I think I've, and this is, I think this is why my desire is kind of leaning towards that retiring early, figuring out what I want next in life.
[00:51:07.560 --> 00:51:11.880] It's because I've been grinding, I was grinding in high school, got good grades.
[00:51:11.880 --> 00:51:16.280] I didn't work, I worked like a summer job once I graduated, but I didn't work in college in high school.
[00:51:16.280 --> 00:51:19.960] And then I went to college, I got my biochemistry degree while I was building this business.
[00:51:19.960 --> 00:51:21.960] Now I'm working full-time while I was building this business.
[00:51:21.960 --> 00:51:26.520] So I've always been like a hustler and I've always, you know, wanted things for myself.
[00:51:26.840 --> 00:51:41.880] But I think finding balance and remembering my why has really allowed me to have that common ground, be able to do my work when I need to, while also being able to help and continue building my business, make sure that I'm showing up.
[00:51:41.880 --> 00:51:53.400] And these opportunities through these retailers do allow me the space and time to not have to grind as much as I used to when I was just kind of doing my e-commerce business model.
[00:51:53.400 --> 00:52:02.360] And the foundation, and this is why, even in times of strife, when I have been building this business, I've always said thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.
[00:52:02.360 --> 00:52:03.960] I practice gratitude.
[00:52:04.840 --> 00:52:06.040] And this is what I wanted to mention.
[00:52:06.040 --> 00:52:14.360] I forgot about it, but there are things and experiences that I'm living now that I pray for, I wish for.
[00:52:14.360 --> 00:52:25.160] And so I have to make sure that I'm grateful for the opportunities and to be intentional about not only the things that I do, but the things that I say, the things that I think, because it all fuels me internally.
[00:52:25.640 --> 00:52:29.240] So knowing all of that allows me to keep the focus.
[00:52:29.240 --> 00:52:31.000] And when I need to pull back, I pull back.
[00:52:31.000 --> 00:52:33.800] Like, I'm not, I'm not a machine.
[00:52:33.800 --> 00:52:34.920] I'm not a machine.
[00:52:34.920 --> 00:52:42.200] And learning that, and remembering that, and constantly reminding myself of that allows me to have that peace to where I'm not overworking myself.
[00:52:42.200 --> 00:52:45.440] And if I do feel burnt out, I'm taking a trip.
[00:52:45.440 --> 00:52:46.800] So, shout out to PCO.
[00:52:44.680 --> 00:52:50.480] You said it.
[00:52:52.560 --> 00:52:58.400] I've set up, I've set up the systems and the templates, and anything y'all need is set up in there.
[00:52:58.400 --> 00:53:02.080] If y'all, whatever y'all don't have, I'll get back to it when I get back.
[00:53:02.080 --> 00:53:05.200] So, oh my gosh, I needed that reminder.
[00:53:05.200 --> 00:53:05.680] Thank you.
[00:53:05.680 --> 00:53:07.840] That's why I always love having these conversations.
[00:53:07.840 --> 00:53:13.280] We're about to jump into the lightning round, but I just had to thank you because the gratitude piece is so important.
[00:53:13.280 --> 00:53:22.480] I also believe in manifestation, and I got to work on my gratitude piece even more because, yes, I do have a lot of things that I prayed for.
[00:53:22.480 --> 00:53:28.560] And in those moments of frustration, strife, overwhelm, chaos, I'm like, ah, it's chaotic.
[00:53:28.560 --> 00:53:33.040] But then if I just leave my gratitude, which I need to, so I will.
[00:53:36.560 --> 00:53:38.560] We're going to jump into a quick lightning round.
[00:53:38.560 --> 00:53:39.280] You know, the deal.
[00:53:39.280 --> 00:53:41.200] You just answer the first thing that comes to mind.
[00:53:41.200 --> 00:53:41.920] You ready?
[00:53:41.920 --> 00:53:43.360] Yeah, I'm ready.
[00:53:43.360 --> 00:53:44.000] Okay.
[00:53:44.320 --> 00:53:44.800] All right.
[00:53:44.800 --> 00:53:55.200] Number one: What is a resource, top resource that comes to mind, not Google, that is helping you in your business right now that you can share with the Side Hustle Pro audience?
[00:53:55.520 --> 00:53:56.400] Figma.
[00:53:56.400 --> 00:53:59.360] I use Figma oftentimes for creating my social graphics.
[00:53:59.360 --> 00:54:00.320] F-I-G-M-A.
[00:54:00.560 --> 00:54:01.760] F-I-G-M-A.
[00:54:02.000 --> 00:54:04.240] A lot of my social media graphics I create from there.
[00:54:04.240 --> 00:54:06.240] And I love it because it's basically templates.
[00:54:06.240 --> 00:54:09.200] It's like Canva, but like more technical.
[00:54:09.200 --> 00:54:15.680] But it's so once you get it set up with some components, you can set up like your colors, you can set up your text, you can set up your logo.
[00:54:15.680 --> 00:54:23.680] I'm just dragging, like, if I have a cis, a cis or a dear black woman, I'm able to kind of type that in and push it out in maybe a minute.
[00:54:23.680 --> 00:54:26.400] If that, like, it's such, it's such a good tool.
[00:54:26.400 --> 00:54:31.720] I'm able to have better systems because before I was all over the place when it comes to social media graphics.
[00:54:31.720 --> 00:54:32.840] So I love Figma.
[00:54:32.840 --> 00:54:33.800] Get it, sign up for it.
[00:54:33.800 --> 00:54:34.840] Let me know what you think.
[00:54:34.840 --> 00:54:36.120] You just put me on game.
[00:54:29.840 --> 00:54:36.520] Absolutely.
[00:54:36.600 --> 00:54:37.720] Cause I love your graphics.
[00:54:37.720 --> 00:54:38.120] Love it.
[00:54:38.120 --> 00:54:38.600] Thank you.
[00:54:38.600 --> 00:54:39.000] All right.
[00:54:39.720 --> 00:54:45.720] Number two: who is a non-celebrity black woman entrepreneur who you would want to switch places with for a day?
[00:54:45.720 --> 00:54:46.360] And why?
[00:54:47.000 --> 00:54:47.320] Shoot.
[00:54:47.320 --> 00:54:50.920] I'm like, you know, when you like think and you're, because I think the non-celebrity threw me off.
[00:54:50.920 --> 00:54:53.320] So I put the pressure on.
[00:54:53.320 --> 00:54:53.720] All right.
[00:54:54.360 --> 00:54:54.520] Okay.
[00:54:54.520 --> 00:54:55.720] Take out the non-celebrity.
[00:54:55.720 --> 00:54:56.200] I'm curious.
[00:54:56.200 --> 00:54:57.080] Who would you say?
[00:54:57.240 --> 00:55:01.240] Because, and this is why, because she's really my model for my mindset.
[00:55:01.480 --> 00:55:03.320] I would say Shonda Rhymes.
[00:55:03.880 --> 00:55:05.480] I try to read Year of Yes.
[00:55:05.480 --> 00:55:07.880] It's a book she wrote years ago.
[00:55:07.880 --> 00:55:13.400] I try to read that every year because it really inspired me to say yes to more opportunities.
[00:55:13.400 --> 00:55:18.520] Honestly, there were other retailers that offered me an opportunity before the main one I took.
[00:55:18.760 -

Prompt 2: Key Takeaways

Now please extract the key takeaways from the transcript content I provided.

Extract the most important key takeaways from this part of the conversation. Use a single sentence statement (the key takeaway) rather than milquetoast descriptions like "the hosts discuss...". 

Limit the key takeaways to a maximum of 3. The key takeaways should be insightful and knowledge-additive. 

IMPORTANT: Return ONLY valid JSON, no explanations or markdown. Ensure:
- All strings are properly quoted and escaped
- No trailing commas
- All braces and brackets are balanced
Format: {"key_takeaways": ["takeaway 1", "takeaway 2"]}

Prompt 3: Segments

Now identify 2-4 distinct topical segments from this part of the conversation.

For each segment, identify:
- Descriptive title (3-6 words)  
- START timestamp when this topic begins (HH:MM:SS format)
- Double check that the timestamp is accurate - a timestamp will NEVER be greater than the total length of the audio
- Most important Key takeaway from that segment. Key takeaway must be specific and knowledge-additive.
- Brief summary of the discussion

IMPORTANT: The timestamp should mark when the topic/segment STARTS, not a range. Look for topic transitions and conversation shifts.

Return ONLY valid JSON. Ensure all strings are properly quoted, no trailing commas:
{
  "segments": [
    {
      "segment_title": "Topic Discussion", 
      "timestamp": "01:15:30",
      "key_takeaway": "main point from this segment",
      "segment_summary": "brief description of what was discussed"
    }
  ]
}

Timestamp format: HH:MM:SS (e.g., 00:05:30, 01:22:45) marking the START of each segment.

Prompt 4: Media Mentions

Now scan the transcript content I provided for ACTUAL mentions of specific media titles:

Find explicit mentions of:
- Books (with specific titles)
- Movies (with specific titles)  
- TV Shows (with specific titles)
- Music/Songs (with specific titles)

DO NOT include:
- Websites, URLs, or web services
- Other podcasts or podcast names

IMPORTANT: 
- Only include items explicitly mentioned by name. Do not invent titles.
- Valid categories are: "Book", "Movie", "TV Show", "Music"
- Include the exact phrase where each item was mentioned
- Find the nearest proximate timestamp where it appears in the conversation
- THE TIMESTAMP OF THE MEDIA MENTION IS IMPORTANT - DO NOT INVENT TIMESTAMPS AND DO NOT MISATTRIBUTE TIMESTAMPS
- Double check that the timestamp is accurate - a timestamp will NEVER be greater than the total length of the audio
- Timestamps are given as ranges, e.g. 01:13:42.520 --> 01:13:46.720. Use the EARLIER of the 2 timestamps in the range.

Return ONLY valid JSON. Ensure all strings are properly quoted and escaped, no trailing commas:
{
  "media_mentions": [
    {
      "title": "Exact Title as Mentioned",
      "category": "Book",
      "author_artist": "N/A",
      "context": "Brief context of why it was mentioned",
      "context_phrase": "The exact sentence or phrase where it was mentioned",
      "timestamp": "estimated time like 01:15:30"
    }
  ]
}

If no media is mentioned, return: {"media_mentions": []}

Prompt 5: Context Setup

You are an expert data extractor tasked with analyzing a podcast transcript. 
I will provide you with part 2 of 2 from a podcast transcript. 
I will then ask you to extract different types of information from this content in subsequent messages. Please confirm you have received and understood the transcript content.

Transcript section:
 if I have a cis, a cis or a dear black woman, I'm able to kind of type that in and push it out in maybe a minute.
[00:54:23.680 --> 00:54:26.400] If that, like, it's such, it's such a good tool.
[00:54:26.400 --> 00:54:31.720] I'm able to have better systems because before I was all over the place when it comes to social media graphics.
[00:54:31.720 --> 00:54:32.840] So I love Figma.
[00:54:32.840 --> 00:54:33.800] Get it, sign up for it.
[00:54:33.800 --> 00:54:34.840] Let me know what you think.
[00:54:34.840 --> 00:54:36.120] You just put me on game.
[00:54:29.840 --> 00:54:36.520] Absolutely.
[00:54:36.600 --> 00:54:37.720] Cause I love your graphics.
[00:54:37.720 --> 00:54:38.120] Love it.
[00:54:38.120 --> 00:54:38.600] Thank you.
[00:54:38.600 --> 00:54:39.000] All right.
[00:54:39.720 --> 00:54:45.720] Number two: who is a non-celebrity black woman entrepreneur who you would want to switch places with for a day?
[00:54:45.720 --> 00:54:46.360] And why?
[00:54:47.000 --> 00:54:47.320] Shoot.
[00:54:47.320 --> 00:54:50.920] I'm like, you know, when you like think and you're, because I think the non-celebrity threw me off.
[00:54:50.920 --> 00:54:53.320] So I put the pressure on.
[00:54:53.320 --> 00:54:53.720] All right.
[00:54:54.360 --> 00:54:54.520] Okay.
[00:54:54.520 --> 00:54:55.720] Take out the non-celebrity.
[00:54:55.720 --> 00:54:56.200] I'm curious.
[00:54:56.200 --> 00:54:57.080] Who would you say?
[00:54:57.240 --> 00:55:01.240] Because, and this is why, because she's really my model for my mindset.
[00:55:01.480 --> 00:55:03.320] I would say Shonda Rhymes.
[00:55:03.880 --> 00:55:05.480] I try to read Year of Yes.
[00:55:05.480 --> 00:55:07.880] It's a book she wrote years ago.
[00:55:07.880 --> 00:55:13.400] I try to read that every year because it really inspired me to say yes to more opportunities.
[00:55:13.400 --> 00:55:18.520] Honestly, there were other retailers that offered me an opportunity before the main one I took.
[00:55:18.760 --> 00:55:21.720] And I said no to it just because it didn't feel right for me.
[00:55:21.720 --> 00:55:31.400] But that book really highlighted the importance of saying yes and being grateful of the things that come to me and not shying away because I don't want to do it or because it makes my tummy hurt a little bit.
[00:55:31.400 --> 00:55:33.080] So I would say Shonda Rhyme.
[00:55:33.240 --> 00:55:35.640] I would just want to see, you know, all that she does.
[00:55:36.040 --> 00:55:42.680] And I know that she's like recently had some opportunities where she had to speak up and say no and speak up for herself.
[00:55:42.680 --> 00:55:43.400] So I just love that.
[00:55:43.400 --> 00:55:48.520] And she really inspires me to keep up and keep showing up as an entrepreneur.
[00:55:48.520 --> 00:55:49.480] Likewise.
[00:55:49.480 --> 00:55:57.560] Oh, and I love when she took her brand and took her shows over because you got to do what you got to do.
[00:55:57.560 --> 00:55:58.840] Because she knew she had to get it.
[00:55:58.840 --> 00:56:00.600] She knew she was the it.
[00:56:00.600 --> 00:56:01.480] She had the it.
[00:56:01.480 --> 00:56:02.120] So yeah.
[00:56:02.120 --> 00:56:03.240] She was it.
[00:56:03.240 --> 00:56:03.640] All right.
[00:56:03.640 --> 00:56:07.800] Number three: what is a non-negotiable part of your day these days?
[00:56:08.120 --> 00:56:10.680] Having breakfast and being intentional about it.
[00:56:10.680 --> 00:56:15.760] And typically when I have my breakfast, it's after getting that protein in has been something else.
[00:56:15.760 --> 00:56:19.440] It's so weird because, like, I just can't imagine myself doing this, but I'm living it, you know.
[00:56:14.760 --> 00:56:22.320] And like I said, it's something that I've always wanted to do more seriously.
[00:56:22.480 --> 00:56:25.840] So, getting breakfast in, making sure that I'm starting my day right.
[00:56:25.840 --> 00:56:28.800] Um, so I would say that's like a non-negotiable.
[00:56:28.800 --> 00:56:33.600] And then, what's a personal trait that you think has really contributed to your success?
[00:56:33.600 --> 00:56:35.680] I ain't never scared.
[00:56:35.680 --> 00:56:51.680] I, um, even when I was first, you know, doing these like larger projects, um, I walked into the room being confident in my skill sets, knowing who I am, um, knowing that what's for me will not pass me, um, and knowing that God is guiding me to wherever I need to go.
[00:56:51.680 --> 00:56:57.600] So, just being confident and knowing that um, what's for me is for me, and if it's not for me, it's all right.
[00:56:57.600 --> 00:57:00.080] Um, I'm still me at the end of the day.
[00:57:00.080 --> 00:57:00.960] I love it.
[00:57:00.960 --> 00:57:14.960] Finally, what is your parting advice, Raven, for fellow women entrepreneurs, fellow people with gifts who just want to see something in the world, but are scared about okay, not having a study paycheck or all those different fears?
[00:57:15.280 --> 00:57:18.160] Um, I would say just start and ask for help.
[00:57:18.160 --> 00:57:26.880] Um, I actually listened to your, I believe, your last one, your last podcast with Rachel, and you all were talking about outsourcing laundry, yes, cleaning, yes.
[00:57:27.200 --> 00:57:33.520] Uh, I just had like a download recently about um delegating.
[00:57:33.520 --> 00:57:36.800] So, I've been doing some research into how to delegate, what to delegate.
[00:57:36.800 --> 00:57:40.800] Um, so ask for help, you don't have to do everything on your own.
[00:57:40.800 --> 00:57:46.160] Um, and be okay with when you get that help, be okay with them giving their opinion, especially if they're an expert.
[00:57:46.160 --> 00:57:49.600] Um, because that's something you know, we think we know everything.
[00:57:49.600 --> 00:57:52.800] So, being humble with that, that support that you receive.
[00:57:52.880 --> 00:57:57.040] Yep, yes, oh, a perfect parting word.
[00:57:57.040 --> 00:58:01.320] So, with that, you guys, thank you so much for being in the guest chair.
[00:58:01.320 --> 00:58:05.480] Where can people connect with you and legendary roots after this episode?
[00:57:59.840 --> 00:58:05.960] Gotcha.
[00:58:06.120 --> 00:58:15.800] Um, you can hit us up on all social media, legendary roots with a Z, um, and also at legendaryroots.com to explore our site, explore our products, and learn more about our story.
[00:58:16.600 --> 00:58:20.440] And there you have it.
[00:58:20.440 --> 00:58:23.480] Hey, guys, thanks for listening to Side Hustle Pro.
[00:58:23.480 --> 00:58:28.200] If you like the show, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
[00:58:28.200 --> 00:58:31.640] It helps other side hustlers just like you to find the show.
[00:58:31.960 --> 00:58:36.600] And if you want to hear more from me, you can follow me on Instagram at SideHustle Pro.
[00:58:36.600 --> 00:58:43.640] Plus, sign up for my six-foot Saturday newsletter at sidehustlepro.co/slash newsletter.
[00:58:43.640 --> 00:58:51.000] When you sign up, you'll receive weekly nuggets from me, including what I'm up to, personal lessons, and my business tip of the week.
[00:58:51.000 --> 00:58:55.720] Again, that's sidehustlepro.co/slash newsletter to sign up.
[00:58:55.720 --> 00:58:57.320] Talk to you soon.
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Prompt 6: Key Takeaways

Now please extract the key takeaways from the transcript content I provided.

Extract the most important key takeaways from this part of the conversation. Use a single sentence statement (the key takeaway) rather than milquetoast descriptions like "the hosts discuss...". 

Limit the key takeaways to a maximum of 3. The key takeaways should be insightful and knowledge-additive. 

IMPORTANT: Return ONLY valid JSON, no explanations or markdown. Ensure:
- All strings are properly quoted and escaped
- No trailing commas
- All braces and brackets are balanced
Format: {"key_takeaways": ["takeaway 1", "takeaway 2"]}

Prompt 7: Segments

Now identify 2-4 distinct topical segments from this part of the conversation.

For each segment, identify:
- Descriptive title (3-6 words)  
- START timestamp when this topic begins (HH:MM:SS format)
- Double check that the timestamp is accurate - a timestamp will NEVER be greater than the total length of the audio
- Most important Key takeaway from that segment. Key takeaway must be specific and knowledge-additive.
- Brief summary of the discussion

IMPORTANT: The timestamp should mark when the topic/segment STARTS, not a range. Look for topic transitions and conversation shifts.

Return ONLY valid JSON. Ensure all strings are properly quoted, no trailing commas:
{
  "segments": [
    {
      "segment_title": "Topic Discussion", 
      "timestamp": "01:15:30",
      "key_takeaway": "main point from this segment",
      "segment_summary": "brief description of what was discussed"
    }
  ]
}

Timestamp format: HH:MM:SS (e.g., 00:05:30, 01:22:45) marking the START of each segment.

Prompt 8: Media Mentions

Now scan the transcript content I provided for ACTUAL mentions of specific media titles:

Find explicit mentions of:
- Books (with specific titles)
- Movies (with specific titles)  
- TV Shows (with specific titles)
- Music/Songs (with specific titles)

DO NOT include:
- Websites, URLs, or web services
- Other podcasts or podcast names

IMPORTANT: 
- Only include items explicitly mentioned by name. Do not invent titles.
- Valid categories are: "Book", "Movie", "TV Show", "Music"
- Include the exact phrase where each item was mentioned
- Find the nearest proximate timestamp where it appears in the conversation
- THE TIMESTAMP OF THE MEDIA MENTION IS IMPORTANT - DO NOT INVENT TIMESTAMPS AND DO NOT MISATTRIBUTE TIMESTAMPS
- Double check that the timestamp is accurate - a timestamp will NEVER be greater than the total length of the audio
- Timestamps are given as ranges, e.g. 01:13:42.520 --> 01:13:46.720. Use the EARLIER of the 2 timestamps in the range.

Return ONLY valid JSON. Ensure all strings are properly quoted and escaped, no trailing commas:
{
  "media_mentions": [
    {
      "title": "Exact Title as Mentioned",
      "category": "Book",
      "author_artist": "N/A",
      "context": "Brief context of why it was mentioned",
      "context_phrase": "The exact sentence or phrase where it was mentioned",
      "timestamp": "estimated time like 01:15:30"
    }
  ]
}

If no media is mentioned, return: {"media_mentions": []}

Full Transcript

[00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:05.200] Does it ever feel like you're a marketing professional just speaking into the void?
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[00:01:32.480 --> 00:01:39.040] And this is why, even in times of strife, when I have been building this business, I've always said thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.
[00:01:39.040 --> 00:01:40.960] I practice gratitude.
[00:01:41.920 --> 00:01:50.640] You're listening to Side Hustle Pro, the podcast that teaches you to build and grow your side hustle from passion project to profitable business.
[00:01:50.640 --> 00:01:53.600] And I'm your host, Nikayla Matthews Okome.
[00:01:53.600 --> 00:01:55.440] So let's get started.
[00:01:57.040 --> 00:01:59.440] Hey, friends, hey, welcome, welcome back to the show.
[00:01:59.440 --> 00:02:00.520] I am so excited.
[00:01:59.840 --> 00:02:03.080] Today, in the guest chair, we have Raven Gibson.
[00:02:03.320 --> 00:02:09.160] Raven is someone who I came across on Instagram because her art, her products are just fire.
[00:02:09.160 --> 00:02:14.280] Like, this is a brand that I think I will be buying for years to come.
[00:02:14.280 --> 00:02:16.600] As long as she's open, I will be buying.
[00:02:16.600 --> 00:02:22.520] So, Raven founded Legendary Roots to empower, liberate, and uplift black culture worldwide.
[00:02:22.520 --> 00:02:33.400] Her innovative and vibrant apparel, accessories, and home decor designs are created to inspire the African diaspora to embrace their heritage and show their pride with confidence.
[00:02:33.400 --> 00:02:40.360] You may have seen her products recently inside of Target or on her website, as well as her Instagram.
[00:02:40.360 --> 00:02:50.440] So, let's go ahead and jump into the conversation because we had so much fun talking, so many laughs, and I learned a lot, including some great tips on some software that she uses.
[00:02:50.440 --> 00:02:52.520] So, let's get right into it.
[00:02:55.400 --> 00:02:57.320] Welcome, welcome to the guest chair.
[00:02:57.320 --> 00:02:58.120] How are you?
[00:02:58.120 --> 00:02:59.000] I'm doing well.
[00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:02.040] I'm excited to have a conversation and you know, get into it.
[00:03:02.040 --> 00:03:02.760] Exactly.
[00:03:02.760 --> 00:03:04.440] I'm excited to get into it.
[00:03:04.440 --> 00:03:07.080] You are someone who I came across on Instagram.
[00:03:07.080 --> 00:03:13.320] I was just intrigued and so impressed by your artwork, your products, how your mind works.
[00:03:13.320 --> 00:03:17.240] You're one of those accounts that people will try to duplicate, right?
[00:03:17.240 --> 00:03:23.800] Or try to steal your art and try to act like, but you, your mind, your mind can't be duplicated, right?
[00:03:23.800 --> 00:03:29.960] So, when did you discover this artistic streak, this talent and gift that you have?
[00:03:29.960 --> 00:03:32.920] Um, so um, when I was younger, I actually hated art.
[00:03:32.920 --> 00:03:34.480] Um, I've always been a rebel.
[00:03:34.280 --> 00:03:36.440] So, so I think it, and I think that's what it was.
[00:03:36.440 --> 00:03:43.080] I think I was, you know, told what to create, and as an artist, I like to, you know, start from the inside and create outwardly.
[00:03:43.080 --> 00:03:48.000] Um, but I appreciated that because it kind of gave me the foundation to create art.
[00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:50.720] When I first started the brand, I was actually in college.
[00:03:50.880 --> 00:03:55.040] I attended Arizona State University where I received my degree in biochemistry.
[00:03:55.680 --> 00:03:58.720] Yeah, I was actually just looking for clothes to wear, you know, to class.
[00:03:59.120 --> 00:04:01.440] You know, I was the type to just throw on something and go.
[00:04:01.440 --> 00:04:02.560] I just needed to get in there.
[00:04:02.560 --> 00:04:05.360] I had, you know, classes, lab, presentation.
[00:04:05.360 --> 00:04:07.600] So I just needed something that I could be comfortable in.
[00:04:07.600 --> 00:04:10.960] Through the power of social media, it kind of turned into this whole brand.
[00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:16.960] I think I posted some pictures of myself, you know, first day on campus, you know, freshman, all excited.
[00:04:16.960 --> 00:04:18.720] And my friends were like, Where'd you get your shirt from?
[00:04:18.720 --> 00:04:19.680] And I was like, Oh, I made it.
[00:04:19.680 --> 00:04:20.560] They're like, Let me get one.
[00:04:20.640 --> 00:04:22.640] I was like, Let me figure it out.
[00:04:22.960 --> 00:04:24.480] So I kind of evolved from there.
[00:04:24.480 --> 00:04:30.320] And freshman year, you hit the streets and people are like, Oh, we need that.
[00:04:30.320 --> 00:04:30.960] Right.
[00:04:30.960 --> 00:04:47.280] And it's funny because, like, as I was kind of like reflecting on where the business is now, you can see the growth from the first designs to what I produce now, which is great because it's a photographic memory of my journey of being a business owner.
[00:04:47.280 --> 00:04:50.960] I so enjoy meeting people who started in college.
[00:04:50.960 --> 00:04:52.320] I think that's so smart.
[00:04:52.320 --> 00:04:54.560] I wish I had been doing that.
[00:04:54.560 --> 00:04:58.240] And at the time, like you said, you were pursuing biochemistry.
[00:04:58.240 --> 00:05:00.960] So, what were your original career plans?
[00:05:00.960 --> 00:05:03.120] Did you plan to go into medicine?
[00:05:03.120 --> 00:05:09.040] Yeah, so I actually wanted to be a neonatologist, which is a doctor that specializes in like neonatal care.
[00:05:09.040 --> 00:05:14.800] So, newborns who are born with certain issues or diseases or things like that, you know, you help with them.
[00:05:15.040 --> 00:05:20.320] Freshman year, I realized I actually don't like blood.
[00:05:20.640 --> 00:05:25.280] So, um, and it's funny because uh, one of my designs is take up space.
[00:05:25.280 --> 00:05:29.120] And I realized freshman year that I that was not a space that I wanted to take up.
[00:05:29.120 --> 00:05:37.560] And I tried to go the route of um, you know, going to advising and um trying to switch majors because I knew that I wanted to get a degree.
[00:05:37.560 --> 00:05:41.480] I've always been curious, I've always been intellectual, but they actually pushed back on that.
[00:05:41.480 --> 00:05:47.880] They were like, Well, you know, if you get in and like the second year, you might not be able to graduate, you might have to leave the program and all that.
[00:05:47.880 --> 00:05:58.680] And I kind of let that fear stop me from changing my degree, which I really appreciate now because learning biochemistry really taught me the importance of researching and reading a lot.
[00:05:58.680 --> 00:06:04.520] And as a business owner, you know, I have to learn a lot of different things, especially because I wear so many different hats.
[00:06:04.520 --> 00:06:10.920] So, I really appreciated, even though in that moment, you know, thinking back to that raven, I was like, She should have stood up for herself.
[00:06:10.920 --> 00:06:15.800] But again, I always appreciate the journeys that I go through as I built this business, right?
[00:06:15.800 --> 00:06:25.480] And it teaches you something, and I love that you can look back at that raven and say, Oh man, like I've grown so much because if that were today, here's what I would have said and done, right?
[00:06:25.480 --> 00:06:30.440] Right now, what made you so curious about neonatology?
[00:06:30.440 --> 00:06:31.960] That's so specific.
[00:06:31.960 --> 00:06:38.520] So, my niece was actually born maybe five years before I started college, and that's my girl.
[00:06:38.520 --> 00:06:39.800] I love her down.
[00:06:39.800 --> 00:06:44.760] And I believe, and they, my family, their memories be tricky, so I don't always trust them.
[00:06:44.760 --> 00:06:48.680] But I feel like she had some complications like right when she was born.
[00:06:48.680 --> 00:06:52.920] It was nothing like she did not have to stay overnight or anything like that, but there were some complications.
[00:06:52.920 --> 00:07:03.640] And I think, you know, just being younger, being one of like the first people in my family to go and graduate college, like I knew that I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity.
[00:07:03.640 --> 00:07:11.720] I also received a scholarship from my church, so I just wanted to take those blessings that I received in my life and outpour and help others.
[00:07:11.720 --> 00:07:14.040] I've always been, I would say, like altruistic.
[00:07:14.280 --> 00:07:18.480] My dad, he used to call me like the lawyer, like when I was younger.
[00:07:18.480 --> 00:07:23.120] And like, you know, I would have issues with teachers or other students or whatever.
[00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:26.560] I'd always stand my ground because that's just who I've always been.
[00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:36.800] So when my niece was born and she did go to the neonatal center for just, I think it was like a day, I was like, oh, I didn't realize that that was like an option.
[00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:46.400] You know, you know, you hear about pediatricians, family doctors, like optometrists, like you hear about all these other lanes, but I was like, oh, it'd be cool if I could get in from the jump, you know?
[00:07:46.640 --> 00:07:48.800] But like I said, blood is not my thing.
[00:07:48.880 --> 00:07:50.320] I learned that early.
[00:07:50.800 --> 00:08:03.360] I knew that I still, and what it's, it's funny, like as I reflect on the business and the brand that I built, I'm still able to pour into people, which is really like, I think what really excites me and pushes me to continue growing and going.
[00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:08.880] It's interesting to me to learn more about what people were originally going to pursue, how their mind works.
[00:08:08.880 --> 00:08:13.920] And I think it really says a lot about who you are as a person and the care that you have for people.
[00:08:13.920 --> 00:08:16.480] So that was really cool to learn.
[00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:26.720] And interestingly enough, I know that you noted that using design as a tool for self-care and well-being and empowerment is something that's important to you.
[00:08:26.720 --> 00:08:32.320] I was literally this morning at this Mother's Day event at my son's school.
[00:08:32.320 --> 00:08:39.040] And I'm going there thinking, all right, we're going to have, you know, donuts for mom, like they usually have at these school stuff.
[00:08:39.040 --> 00:08:44.240] But what they had was in the backyard, they had these art setups for us.
[00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:47.520] So we had breakfast, but then they had like watercolor paint.
[00:08:47.520 --> 00:08:52.240] And she introduced us to this concept of like design with lines.
[00:08:52.240 --> 00:08:57.440] And overall, the goal was just to give us moms a break to just breathe.
[00:08:57.440 --> 00:08:58.800] And I thought that was so thoughtful.
[00:08:58.800 --> 00:08:59.440] And you know what?
[00:08:59.560 --> 00:09:01.160] It was so relaxing.
[00:08:59.440 --> 00:09:02.120] It was so narrow.
[00:09:02.920 --> 00:09:05.560] I'm like, why haven't I been doing this more?
[00:09:05.880 --> 00:09:11.080] So, what was your experience with using design as a tool for self-care?
[00:09:11.720 --> 00:09:16.600] It's funny because, like I said, I just, my art is selfish.
[00:09:17.160 --> 00:09:19.000] It doesn't necessarily reflect that.
[00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:28.600] But I think that's why, even through like the trials and tribulations of being a business owner, one thing that I think really connects with my audience is the fact that they see themselves in my art.
[00:09:28.600 --> 00:09:32.680] And oftentimes, they see themselves in my art because my art is me.
[00:09:32.920 --> 00:09:41.560] You know, if I'm posting a quote or if I'm posting an animation or an illustration or a new design, oftentimes I create it for myself and I say, you know what?
[00:09:41.560 --> 00:09:43.080] I think they'll like it.
[00:09:43.080 --> 00:09:54.040] And one thing that I really appreciate about those who support me is the fact that they'll often tell me, you know, because sometimes I will run into people, you know, wearing my designs.
[00:09:54.600 --> 00:10:03.080] And early on, a lot of what I continued to hear was, I love that your clothes and your designs and your art, it speaks for me.
[00:10:03.080 --> 00:10:05.000] And like I said, I've always been outspoken.
[00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:06.760] I would consider myself an introvert.
[00:10:06.760 --> 00:10:12.840] I feel like many people don't probably know that or think that, but I do consider myself an introvert, but I've never had an issue with speaking up.
[00:10:12.840 --> 00:10:13.960] That's just, that's me.
[00:10:13.960 --> 00:10:15.880] That's, it's, it's inside of me.
[00:10:15.880 --> 00:10:27.400] Um, but I love that others who have supported the brand allow for the brand to be a tool for them to speak up for themselves, whether it's no, you cannot touch my hair, whether it's listening to black women, whether it's pretty brown teen.
[00:10:27.400 --> 00:10:35.400] At the end of the day, my goal is to empower others to, and, and I really appreciate that they relate to the brand and the mission.
[00:10:35.400 --> 00:10:39.480] And something you said about watercoloring, I'm really big on therapy.
[00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:40.360] I love therapy.
[00:10:40.760 --> 00:10:45.920] One thing that I use as a tool of meditation and a space for me to just reflect.
[00:10:44.840 --> 00:10:49.760] It doesn't matter what the art turns out looking like is watercolor.
[00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:53.920] You know, I'll get my paper, I'll get the watercolor, I'll get the paint, I'll just, you know, play around with it.
[00:10:53.920 --> 00:10:56.480] And it's very liberating because there's no expectation.
[00:10:56.480 --> 00:11:00.000] I'm just creating what's internally and bringing it externally.
[00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:01.280] It was so peaceful.
[00:11:01.280 --> 00:11:07.680] And the thing that the art teacher taught us at the program was like, I wasn't even using watercolor, right, girl?
[00:11:07.680 --> 00:11:15.120] Like, I didn't even know you could, like, you could put the water on the paper on the canvas, or you could, you could whip watercolor.
[00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:23.200] Like, I was just in there with my dry brush, dipping a little water, and then trying to get as much paint out, but that's not it, y'all.
[00:11:23.200 --> 00:11:28.000] So, allow yourself these moments of artistic expression.
[00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:36.560] And you're right, your clothes and your mugs do allow me to say something that was, I don't even know, was on my mind.
[00:11:36.560 --> 00:11:44.720] Like, that pour into you mug is my favorite mug because just the art of pouring from a kettle, that's already a moment where you have to take a beat, right?
[00:11:44.720 --> 00:11:46.960] Especially if you have a slow kettle, like we do.
[00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:52.240] My husband jokes because we have that aesthetic kettle that all the Instagrammers have, right?
[00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:55.840] With the really skinny thing, but that thing takes forever to pour.
[00:11:55.840 --> 00:12:03.600] But in that moment, I have to take a beat and then I'm reminded: like, you deserve to take a beat, like, pour into you.
[00:12:03.600 --> 00:12:06.000] That's what you should be doing anyway.
[00:12:12.720 --> 00:12:25.840] Are there certain things that you started designing that stemmed from any particular instances or experiences that you had that made you realize I need to start putting some of these out into the world?
[00:12:26.160 --> 00:12:34.440] I think one of like my more popular designs that I feel like resonates even outside of my audience is the you cannot pour from an empty cup.
[00:12:34.760 --> 00:12:44.040] That one, I think, because it I think when I released it, it was around 2019, 2020, which was right into the pandemic.
[00:12:44.040 --> 00:12:50.520] Um, and I think it really resonated because people got a secondary look into what their lives were looking like.
[00:12:50.520 --> 00:12:57.320] You know, I think as uh now, I call myself an adult, but I don't always feel like it.
[00:12:57.320 --> 00:13:05.160] But as an adult, like after college, you realize, oh, this is when the real life, you know, you're starting, you start becoming responsible for yourself.
[00:13:05.160 --> 00:13:08.600] You start having to make the decisions that will directly affect you and no one else.
[00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:10.040] You can't point any fingers.
[00:13:10.040 --> 00:13:11.320] Well, you shouldn't point any fingers.
[00:13:11.320 --> 00:13:13.960] Some people do, but you shouldn't point any fingers.
[00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:18.280] And the you cannot pour from empty cup really was a reminder.
[00:13:18.280 --> 00:13:24.120] Again, it was for me, but I shared it with others and they resonated with it because we need that reminder.
[00:13:24.120 --> 00:13:24.920] We need that reminder.
[00:13:25.960 --> 00:13:34.440] I realize when I'm when I'm fussy, when I don't want to talk to nobody, when I get tired, I realize you might need to take a step back.
[00:13:34.440 --> 00:13:43.480] And those designs and that art is that reminder to take a step back because we have bills, we have to feed ourselves.
[00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:48.200] Like, right again, there's so many different responsibilities that we have.
[00:13:48.200 --> 00:13:53.880] And I love that my art is a reminder, not only for others, but for myself to take a break.
[00:13:53.880 --> 00:13:54.600] I deserve it.
[00:13:54.840 --> 00:14:01.400] And I don't have to make any kind of quarrels or like explanations for why I deserve the break because I just do.
[00:14:01.400 --> 00:14:07.880] You know, as you were speaking, it's funny, the thought that came to mind is sometimes you start peopleing too early in the day, right?
[00:14:07.880 --> 00:14:13.880] Like, oh, I didn't give myself enough of a buffer for the other people I encountered that day.
[00:14:14.200 --> 00:14:15.440] They came into my world.
[00:14:14.920 --> 00:14:18.640] Like, I need to not start people in too early.
[00:14:18.800 --> 00:14:24.000] Let me pour into my cup, then start people in, then start dealing with other humans.
[00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:33.840] And too, I think that, um, especially as black women and as women, I feel like shame was consistently used as a tool to keep us in place.
[00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:38.320] And I hope to remove that shame through my designs and my art.
[00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:52.960] Um, because like we're allowed to set the boundary of I need some time, and I feel like we're not always taught that, and that's why, even like, like sometimes, like, I'll be in therapy and like I'll be you know, talking and have a conversation and ranting or whatever, and then I'll be like, Let me write that down.
[00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:59.040] And oftentimes, and sometimes, not oftentimes, sometimes those like little write-downs, those little notes will come.
[00:14:59.040 --> 00:15:09.680] Well, I will post it because it's kind of like your friend, like you know, that like they deserve better, or you know, that they might need to hear something, but you don't necessarily always want to just come out and say it.
[00:15:09.680 --> 00:15:13.120] So, what I do is I design it, I post it, and I leave it.
[00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:15.680] Whoever receives it receives it.
[00:15:15.920 --> 00:15:20.000] So, if you want to take this, then.
[00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:22.880] All right, so now let's get down into the business of it all.
[00:15:22.880 --> 00:15:26.960] Okay, so when were you bitten by the side hustle bug, aka?
[00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:29.680] Oh, let me start selling some stuff.
[00:15:29.680 --> 00:15:33.920] It's funny because in high school, again, I love learning.
[00:15:33.920 --> 00:15:36.160] Let me let me pre-reference that.
[00:15:36.160 --> 00:15:38.640] I love learning, but in high school, again, I was a rebel.
[00:15:38.640 --> 00:15:42.400] I hated homework, I had assignments, I hated tests because I just knew the material.
[00:15:42.400 --> 00:15:43.760] Once I understood it, I knew it.
[00:15:43.760 --> 00:15:51.920] And it's funny because I took an economics class, I actually sold shirts, and I forgot about this because you again, you know, you start doing so many things, you just forget about it.
[00:15:51.920 --> 00:15:56.880] I actually sold shirts, and I believe that my project was like the most profitable project.
[00:15:56.880 --> 00:15:57.960] I like went to Michael's.
[00:15:58.240 --> 00:16:00.040] I was surprised by that.
[00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:04.760] I went to Michael's, I got some like, you know, like the print-on designs.
[00:16:05.400 --> 00:16:15.320] And what's cool is like, I took like, I guess, again, not really thinking too deep into it, but I took like a personalization lens because I think other people were selling shirts, but they were like, they put a design on.
[00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:19.000] Whereas I was like, if you give me an image, I got you.
[00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:21.800] Just I'll print, I'll create the shirt, I'll send it out to you.
[00:16:21.800 --> 00:16:25.560] So I was like, you know, the kids in high school, they're walking around with the snack girl.
[00:16:25.560 --> 00:16:27.560] I was the shirt girl.
[00:16:27.560 --> 00:16:29.800] So people would order with me.
[00:16:29.800 --> 00:16:31.000] I don't even remember how I took orders.
[00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:32.440] I might have done it on a spreadsheet or something.
[00:16:32.440 --> 00:16:33.880] People took orders from me.
[00:16:34.280 --> 00:16:36.440] And I, but after that, I kind of forgot about it.
[00:16:36.440 --> 00:16:39.720] I was, you know, doing my thing and joining high school.
[00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:45.160] And then, and once, like I said, I once I got to college, I was creating things for myself.
[00:16:45.160 --> 00:16:54.280] And then when I realized that, and it's funny too, because I'm really big on trusting guts, intuition, faith, like listening to things.
[00:16:54.280 --> 00:17:05.000] And the person, the first person who supported me in my econ class business was the first person who actually supported me when I started my business as well, Legendary Roots as well.
[00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:06.920] And that has been a really big thing.
[00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:10.920] I think the support has really helped to project things.
[00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:15.960] I know for a fact that there are people who are speaking about my brand who I might not even have a personal relationship with.
[00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:18.200] That has really helped to elevate things.
[00:17:18.200 --> 00:17:21.960] So there are people speaking about you in rooms right now.
[00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:23.160] Isn't that crazy?
[00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:24.040] Like it is.
[00:17:24.040 --> 00:17:24.600] It is.
[00:17:24.600 --> 00:17:25.240] It's done.
[00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:26.200] It is well.
[00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:27.240] It's also funny.
[00:17:27.240 --> 00:17:31.480] I love that you mentioned that in high school, you were doing this and you almost forgot about it.
[00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:33.080] That's what a lot of us do.
[00:17:33.080 --> 00:17:46.720] You know, that's why I actually provide people with questions to jog that memory and also to give those questions to other people because people see you when you just have it in your blind spot and you don't see yourself.
[00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:49.840] People see your gifts and your skills that you take for granted.
[00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:57.760] So then, how did you remember, like, hey, I used to do this, and hey, I could do this by college or whenever you started to actually sell it.
[00:17:57.760 --> 00:18:12.480] I think just reflecting like therapy, therapy has taught me the importance of journaling and something that I really believe in, like, manifestation, mindset, really understanding where I want to go and why I want it.
[00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:16.000] And so, journaling really helped me to remember that.
[00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:18.720] And then also talking to people.
[00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:23.920] I did something in LA around last year, December, and I was telling my family about it.
[00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:25.040] I'm really close to them.
[00:18:25.040 --> 00:18:25.840] They keep me right.
[00:18:25.840 --> 00:18:27.440] They keep me humble.
[00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:28.160] I'll say that.
[00:18:29.520 --> 00:18:31.040] My sisters don't do it as much.
[00:18:31.040 --> 00:18:40.480] I think I've maybe gotten to the level where they don't try to humble me as much, but they're like, I remember when you had 10 followers and six of us were like the 10 of them, you know, so there was that.
[00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:43.280] But right, they just keep you humble.
[00:18:43.280 --> 00:18:46.800] But when I was in LA, I was telling them, like, reflecting on it, and they're like, how was it?
[00:18:46.800 --> 00:18:47.760] I was like, it was great.
[00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:51.600] And like, I am very quiet before I get comfortable.
[00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:57.120] And I was just like, yeah, some of the people, you know, they were, it's a little questionable, you know, and they're like, do you not realize?
[00:18:57.120 --> 00:19:02.720] And I was like, oh, sometimes I need to remember, like you said, the impact that I made.
[00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:07.520] I forget it because, again, I'm creating for myself, but obviously I'm creating for others as well.
[00:19:07.520 --> 00:19:14.640] And so sometimes I forget the impact and the kind of person I am because I just exist in me.
[00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:18.400] And there's so much peace in that that sometimes I do forget that.
[00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:20.240] Like, we are in our world.
[00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:21.200] We wake up in the morning.
[00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:22.320] We're in our room.
[00:19:22.320 --> 00:19:23.200] We're in our home.
[00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:24.080] We're in our humble.
[00:19:24.160 --> 00:19:24.720] We create it.
[00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:25.600] We put it out.
[00:19:25.600 --> 00:19:27.120] And then we go about our day.
[00:19:27.120 --> 00:19:38.840] And then, you don't remember that there's a whole ecosystem that is listening, that is purchasing, that is wearing and using your products each and every day.
[00:19:38.840 --> 00:19:45.720] And it's like, once you leave your house, you're like, oh, oh, wait a minute, y'all are right, right?
[00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:55.720] When did Legendary Roots start for real?
[00:19:56.040 --> 00:19:59.640] Okay, it started for real, let's say 2016.
[00:19:59.960 --> 00:20:03.320] So, 2014 is when I kind of the seed was planted.
[00:20:03.320 --> 00:20:06.680] Um, but I would say it rooted really in 2016.
[00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:10.440] I was, you know, I got all my documents together, bank accounts.
[00:20:10.440 --> 00:20:15.240] You know, before I was kind of flying, you know, from the seat of my pants, just trying to figure it out as I go.
[00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:20.600] It's funny because I'm a, I'm a, I will, I will call myself a forever learner.
[00:20:20.600 --> 00:20:27.640] Um, and while I was like, I think I was waiting for one of my labs for one of my biochemistry labs, I was listening to a podcast, you know, people talking and playing around.
[00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:29.480] I ain't got all the time for that.
[00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.840] I'm working, I'm chilling.
[00:20:30.840 --> 00:20:40.200] And so, I was listening to a podcast and I was actually listening to, I don't remember if it was called something else, but Mylik Till, her podcast, and she had a podcast on branding.
[00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:47.240] Before that, I like I knew I wanted to make things look pretty, but I don't necessarily know if I understood the importance of branding.
[00:20:47.240 --> 00:21:00.440] And I feel like in that same that was around that 2016 time period where I was listening to that podcast and she was talking about like everything that you put out externally is it should connect back to the brand, the ethos of the brand, the heart of the brand.
[00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:08.840] And I think that that's what has helped to make the brand so successful is that the brand, the branding aspects of it, the art of it, the look of it.
[00:21:08.840 --> 00:21:20.000] Um, a lot of times, like, I'll, you know, I might have a call with a consultant that I might want to work with, and I'll tell them, like, oh, yeah, my brand, my target audience is 25 to 35, and they might be 45, 50.
[00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:21.680] And they're like, can you send the link?
[00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:22.640] So I send the link.
[00:21:22.640 --> 00:21:26.560] They're like, hold on, this is actually something that I want as well.
[00:21:26.560 --> 00:21:31.040] And I think it connects back to that brand, the art and the beauty of it all.
[00:21:31.040 --> 00:21:41.280] I mean, you are uniquely blessed in that area because not everyone can literally take care of the branding in-house from your own brain and own design, like fingertips.
[00:21:41.280 --> 00:21:44.560] So I love that about your brand.
[00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:47.440] And what was behind the legendary roots name, too?
[00:21:48.080 --> 00:21:50.320] I think my sister helped me come up with it.
[00:21:50.320 --> 00:21:52.560] I don't want to say what the original name was.
[00:21:53.760 --> 00:21:56.400] The original name was so, it was so bad.
[00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:57.840] The original name was so bad.
[00:21:58.160 --> 00:22:02.800] I don't really remember where the, like, I just remember, you know, you know, you're with your sisters.
[00:22:02.800 --> 00:22:04.720] Yeah, you know, you're with your sisters, you're with your family.
[00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:06.640] You're just talking and we were talking.
[00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:08.880] And she was like, oh, what about legendary roots?
[00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:10.880] I was like, okay, okay.
[00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:12.240] I want to make a little different.
[00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:14.320] So let's put to that S for a Z.
[00:22:14.320 --> 00:22:19.520] And I love it because even when I'm talking about my brand, like, you know, I'll tell people, oh, they're like, oh, what do you do?
[00:22:19.520 --> 00:22:22.160] I'm like, oh, I own Legendary Roots with a Z.
[00:22:22.160 --> 00:22:22.960] And they're like, hold on.
[00:22:23.040 --> 00:22:24.320] So they'll pull it out.
[00:22:24.320 --> 00:22:27.840] They'll go to Google and, you know, they'll do their own like scrolling and searching and all that.
[00:22:27.840 --> 00:22:31.120] But I think that's where the name came from.
[00:22:31.120 --> 00:22:31.600] Yes.
[00:22:31.600 --> 00:22:36.880] I like that you mentioned too that that wasn't the original name to remind everybody, you got to start somewhere.
[00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:41.440] And see out here, they may not have started there.
[00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:41.920] Okay.
[00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:44.800] So sometimes people get stuck like, oh, that's the perfect name.
[00:22:44.800 --> 00:22:46.640] How did they think about it?
[00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:48.000] Blah, blah blah blah.
[00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:49.680] Like, let's move forward.
[00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:51.280] Like one step at a time.
[00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:55.600] Um, you said something about your first customer being the first customer of the business.
[00:22:55.600 --> 00:22:56.880] Did I get that right?
[00:22:56.840 --> 00:22:59.040] Alex, do you remember who that customer was?
[00:22:59.040 --> 00:22:59.760] What they bought?
[00:22:59.840 --> 00:23:01.560] Yeah, it's my homegirl, Asia.
[00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:07.160] I don't remember what she bought, but yeah, she was the first supporter, right?
[00:23:07.160 --> 00:23:12.200] Shout out to Asia, she was the first supporter of my econ business and the first supporter of like the shop.
[00:23:12.360 --> 00:23:18.360] So, you talked a little bit about okay, setting up your bank account, the naming, like those first steps to get started.
[00:23:18.360 --> 00:23:26.280] But I'm curious what the early days looked like for you, putting up your website, selling stuff, and then having to actually send it to people.
[00:23:26.280 --> 00:23:28.200] What was your process at the time?
[00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:36.840] So, once I got the name established, bank accounts, all the um back-end stuff uh created, I um knew that I needed to have the products products hosted.
[00:23:36.840 --> 00:23:41.800] Um, I did do like print on demand, which was really helpful, especially being a college student.
[00:23:41.800 --> 00:23:47.960] Um, I didn't want to have tons of tons of boxes in my dorm, which that did happen eventually later.
[00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:57.720] Um, but I so I took pictures of the products, um, I ordered some samples, um, and I posted them on the site and I started sharing them.
[00:23:57.720 --> 00:24:08.760] Um, what I will say is, I would say, even till till now, but from 2016 to 2019, social media support was a huge driver.
[00:24:08.760 --> 00:24:11.080] Um, I think people were sharing them.
[00:24:11.080 --> 00:24:13.880] Like, I don't know if you remember Tumblr, I think it might be coming back a little bit.
[00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:15.800] Yeah, I used to love Tumblr.
[00:24:15.800 --> 00:24:17.160] Oh my God, yeah.
[00:24:17.160 --> 00:24:18.520] People were posting on Tumblr.
[00:24:18.520 --> 00:24:21.640] There were a lot of like black empowerment pages, so I would like submit to them.
[00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:22.920] They would post it sometimes.
[00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:28.600] I wouldn't even know, you know, I do like a little search for legendary roots, and that's something that I will say about the name.
[00:24:28.600 --> 00:24:32.280] It's so unique that it's kind of separated from anybody else.
[00:24:32.280 --> 00:24:36.040] So, when I would search it, I would find what was about my brand, even if they didn't tag me.
[00:24:36.040 --> 00:24:39.400] They might have, you know, wrote it as a tag, but like they didn't actually tag the brand.
[00:24:39.400 --> 00:24:40.760] So, I really appreciated that.
[00:24:40.760 --> 00:24:44.800] But Tumblr was a really big in the beginning, Tumblr was a really big pusher.
[00:24:44.800 --> 00:24:56.240] And then getting everything set up, I don't remember, I don't recall when I switched over to Shopify, but Shopify was the goal in getting things set up easily.
[00:24:58.080 --> 00:25:01.200] I was able to integrate it with my different payment processors.
[00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:03.120] I love it.
[00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:05.520] I hope they stay consistent.
[00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:10.560] I don't know where else I want to go, but I really appreciate Shopify.
[00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:16.400] And even now, like it's crazy to because I do a lot, I do most everything.
[00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:22.000] So I'm in the back end updating things, adding tags, updating descriptions, photos, all that.
[00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:27.040] And I love how the software has like really grown since when I was first using it.
[00:25:27.600 --> 00:25:32.560] But I think Shopify and having a website really helped me to ease things out.
[00:25:32.560 --> 00:25:35.280] So I wasn't necessarily having to touch any product.
[00:25:35.280 --> 00:25:45.440] So if I had an idea, unless I had used those colors of the style before, I would always order a sample just so I could take my own pictures, just so I can make sure that it looks how I envisioned it.
[00:25:45.680 --> 00:25:49.840] Because a lot of times I was just creating on my laptop, which that's like three laptops ago.
[00:25:49.840 --> 00:25:51.600] That's one thing I will say.
[00:25:51.600 --> 00:26:00.000] It ran my laptops through, but I saw it on my laptop, got the sample, like approved it, which I was the approver, but approved it, took pictures of it.
[00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:01.920] Maybe, and that's another thing too.
[00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:04.480] One of my cousins, she's not a cousin, but you know us.
[00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.680] She's one of my cousins.
[00:26:07.520 --> 00:26:08.800] Her name is Kayla Jones.
[00:26:08.800 --> 00:26:10.880] She's a model singer actress.
[00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:15.600] And she was like one of my first models, which that was a whole other thing.
[00:26:15.600 --> 00:26:21.680] I think really building as I went allowed me to understand the processes.
[00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:34.520] And I would say in 2020, things blew up everywhere for everyone, but for the business, especially, this is when I needed, I couldn't take emails in my email processor anymore.
[00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:36.280] Gmail no longer worked for me.
[00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:39.240] I had to find a software to facilitate that.
[00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.280] I had to bring in help.
[00:26:40.280 --> 00:26:50.040] I just couldn't do this by myself from customer service to fulfillment to not necessarily marketing and design.
[00:26:50.040 --> 00:26:59.000] I did actually have someone help me with some Facebook ads, but from the design standpoint and like the business admin standpoint, that's where I kind of felt like I shined the best.
[00:26:59.160 --> 00:27:02.280] So I definitely appreciated those who came and helped me out.
[00:27:02.280 --> 00:27:08.120] Obviously, I was paying them, but like they came and really helped to get the business back on solid ground when things really got shook up.
[00:27:14.120 --> 00:27:19.480] I mean, if you've shopped online, chances are you've bought from a business powered by Shopify.
[00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:22.600] You know that purple shop pay button you see at checkout?
[00:27:22.600 --> 00:27:25.240] The one that makes buying so incredibly easy?
[00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:26.520] That's Shopify.
[00:27:26.520 --> 00:27:33.640] And there's a reason so many businesses sell with it because Shopify makes it incredibly easy to start and run your business.
[00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:42.120] Shopify is the commerce platform behind 10% of all e-commerce in the U.S., from household names like Mattel and Gymshark to brands just getting started.
[00:27:42.120 --> 00:27:50.680] Shopify gives you that leg up from day one with hundreds of beautiful ready-to-go templates to express your brand style and forget about the coat.
[00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:56.200] Tackle all those important tasks in one place from inventory to payments to analytics and more.
[00:27:56.200 --> 00:28:01.240] And spread your brand name with built-in marketing and email tools to find and keep new customers.
[00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:07.000] And did I mention that iconic purple shop pay button that's used by millions of businesses around the world?
[00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:11.000] It's why Shopify has the best converting checkout on the planet.
[00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:13.000] Your customers already love it.
[00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:17.600] If you want to see less cards being abandoned, it's time for you to head over to Shopify.
[00:28:17.600 --> 00:28:24.240] Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/slash hustlepro.
[00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:26.800] Go to shopify.com/slash hustle pro.
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[00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:02.440] Just so much to unpack here.
[00:29:59.920 --> 00:30:03.400] Number one, all right.
[00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:07.960] So when you were starting with Shopify, you're still in the dorm room at this point.
[00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:11.160] You're still managing this with your actual studies.
[00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:11.720] Yep.
[00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:16.600] But, but how much was the business making back in those days?
[00:30:16.600 --> 00:30:21.160] Was this like paying your college tuition or just a nice little side hustle check?
[00:30:21.480 --> 00:30:29.160] So thankfully, with my grades from high school and with the scholarship from my church, my tuition was covered, room and board was covered.
[00:30:29.480 --> 00:30:32.440] However, like my living money wasn't covered.
[00:30:32.440 --> 00:30:42.120] And I think the business, and from the get-go, the way that I built the business, even from a pricing, a product pricing standpoint, it's always been profitable, which is a blessing.
[00:30:42.520 --> 00:30:45.800] And so I was making significant money.
[00:30:45.800 --> 00:30:47.480] However, I was not managing it well.
[00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:53.160] So even though I was bringing in, you know, hundreds thousands sometimes, I wasn't managing it.
[00:30:53.160 --> 00:30:53.400] Yeah.
[00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:56.040] I was just bringing it in, you know, eventually down the line.
[00:30:56.040 --> 00:30:56.680] And that's something too.
[00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:58.440] What were you buying?
[00:30:58.440 --> 00:31:00.120] I was feeding it.
[00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:02.760] I was, you know, I was a college student.
[00:31:02.760 --> 00:31:05.320] So, you know, I was, you know, feeding myself.
[00:31:05.480 --> 00:31:06.520] That's one thing I will say.
[00:31:06.520 --> 00:31:09.880] I was feeding myself, you know, I really, and that's the crazy thing.
[00:31:09.880 --> 00:31:11.160] That's the crazy thing.
[00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:14.120] Like, I think back, I wasn't really buying nothing like for real.
[00:31:14.120 --> 00:31:16.680] You know, I was just crazy.
[00:31:16.680 --> 00:31:21.400] All I do is like eat and shop on, like, you know, where did it go?
[00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:22.360] I'm not even going to be able to do it.
[00:31:22.520 --> 00:31:23.800] Literally, literally.
[00:31:23.800 --> 00:31:26.760] I will say though, I definitely like, you know, I bought me a new computer.
[00:31:26.760 --> 00:31:30.280] No, I bought me a refurbished computer, which was business, right?
[00:31:30.360 --> 00:31:32.600] I needed that, you know, label printers.
[00:31:32.920 --> 00:31:36.200] That's what I mentioned when I believe it was sophomore junior year.
[00:31:36.200 --> 00:31:39.720] I started doing swimwear and kind of one-off things.
[00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:46.480] I don't know if I necessarily know if I like that lane for me, but that was really fun to be able to do something real unique.
[00:31:44.840 --> 00:31:48.560] And that I think the girlies loved it.
[00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:53.040] They ate that up because it was just so different from what was being offered.
[00:31:53.040 --> 00:32:00.480] But yeah, before QuickBooks got introduced, yeah, the money was coming in and it was going out.
[00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:01.520] So yeah.
[00:32:02.160 --> 00:32:02.560] All right.
[00:32:02.560 --> 00:32:04.880] Well, I'm glad you tightened that up.
[00:32:04.880 --> 00:32:05.760] Oh, my goodness.
[00:32:05.760 --> 00:32:08.480] That's a common refrain, though.
[00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:10.880] So at that point, right?
[00:32:10.880 --> 00:32:22.000] Like, what were some of the shifts that you had to make to start to put some structure in place around finances, around really tightening up the business?
[00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:27.200] So one, knowing my numbers, like I didn't know, you know, what my average order value was.
[00:32:27.200 --> 00:32:29.760] I didn't know how many email subscribers I had.
[00:32:29.760 --> 00:32:33.520] I didn't know how much sales I was making on a monthly, weekly, daily basis.
[00:32:33.520 --> 00:32:35.440] I didn't know how many sessions I was getting.
[00:32:35.440 --> 00:32:42.160] Those numbers matter, obviously, just to make sure that your business is profitable, but also so you can understand, you know, how to talk to people.
[00:32:42.160 --> 00:32:48.400] In my email list, I have a very large email list now, and I'm actually in the works of kind of re-engaging with that list.
[00:32:48.880 --> 00:32:56.800] But knowing how many sessions I'm getting and, you know, there's no point in having pop-ups and products and all this stuff if you're not getting people to your site.
[00:32:57.040 --> 00:33:02.320] So that like helped me knowing where my sessions were coming from, whether that was social media, whether that was direct.
[00:33:02.320 --> 00:33:06.320] I mean, that's something that I would say has been a blessing and a frustration.
[00:33:06.320 --> 00:33:16.320] I won't call it a curse, but it's been a frustration because I believe from conversations I've had with others that a lot of my business does come from word of mouth, which is a blessing because that's free.
[00:33:16.320 --> 00:33:19.040] That's, you know, and it's oftentimes from somebody who supported me.
[00:33:19.040 --> 00:33:27.200] So they're speaking well on the brand um but i just can't necessarily have control over them, you know, and really be able to speak to them unless they come exactly.
[00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:38.200] But knowing you, knowing your mattress is key you said quickbooks and did you hire a cpa or just like really start learning to be a better bookkeeper yourself So I did hire a CPA.
[00:33:38.440 --> 00:33:38.840] I did.
[00:33:38.840 --> 00:33:40.680] So I knew that I needed to do QuickBooks.
[00:33:40.680 --> 00:33:46.360] And what's great about everything, a lot of the business I run, because I ran an e-commerce business, a lot was online.
[00:33:46.360 --> 00:33:50.840] So, you know, I was able to plug and play a lot of that information and sort through it as needed.
[00:33:50.840 --> 00:33:55.240] But that CPA helped me because I had a ton of transactions.
[00:33:55.240 --> 00:33:59.960] I don't know if you use QuickBooks, but like with their PayPal and like the fees and all that.
[00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:02.280] So they were able to come in and get me right.
[00:34:02.520 --> 00:34:05.480] And now I'm able to do it by myself.
[00:34:05.640 --> 00:34:12.920] I, you know, it's like just like an admin task that I go in, you know, on a weekly basis and make sure things are being sorted and where they need to be.
[00:34:12.920 --> 00:34:18.120] But hiring the CPA really helped me to take it off my plate.
[00:34:18.120 --> 00:34:24.760] And to, I don't know if you experienced this, but like, I don't, it's like, I'm acting funny with money and I don't need to.
[00:34:25.000 --> 00:34:26.920] I need to know my numbers.
[00:34:26.920 --> 00:34:30.440] So having somebody to come in and get me right.
[00:34:30.440 --> 00:34:33.000] And she, and too, she's a black, she was a black woman.
[00:34:33.480 --> 00:34:33.880] Yeah.
[00:34:33.880 --> 00:34:34.760] I'm working with somebody.
[00:34:35.720 --> 00:34:37.320] You can't just be like, exactly.
[00:34:37.320 --> 00:34:39.080] No one's going to see this, but me.
[00:34:39.320 --> 00:34:39.640] Exactly.
[00:34:40.840 --> 00:34:42.680] When you know her name is.
[00:34:44.680 --> 00:34:48.600] When you're working by yourself, it's so easy to not hold yourself accountable.
[00:34:48.600 --> 00:34:54.120] It's so easy to just let things pass by the wayside because you have other, you do have other things going on.
[00:34:54.120 --> 00:35:04.360] But like you said, that extra accountability allowed me to really lock in, make sure my numbers were right, make sure I had money to pay her to do what I needed her to do.
[00:35:04.360 --> 00:35:17.040] And make sure that as I was making money, I was able to understand the amount of money I could take back and invest, whether that was into new products, whether that was into marketing services, whether that was into influencers.
[00:35:17.360 --> 00:35:25.040] Um, there's no point in, in my opinion, running a business if you are not profitable, like, or you cannot run a business if you're not profitable.
[00:35:25.280 --> 00:35:27.760] So, I had to, I low-key had to turn myself down.
[00:35:28.000 --> 00:35:33.520] And the IRS will tell you that, too, they'll say, There you go, yeah, is it a business?
[00:35:33.520 --> 00:35:34.800] Is it a business?
[00:35:34.800 --> 00:35:37.680] Like, so exactly.
[00:35:38.480 --> 00:35:41.840] And what else did you learn on the side of growing your business?
[00:35:41.840 --> 00:35:43.760] Like you said, there's a lot of word of mouth here.
[00:35:43.760 --> 00:35:49.200] Did you actually do any focus marketing or think about that at all when you were starting out?
[00:35:49.200 --> 00:35:50.960] On how do I get people?
[00:35:50.960 --> 00:35:57.120] You mentioned ads, like, what were you doing before you even got to ads to grow and market the business?
[00:35:57.120 --> 00:36:00.720] Um, I didn't do anything to be to be candid.
[00:36:00.720 --> 00:36:06.400] I did what I will say is, like I said, I speak to my family a lot, like, and it's mostly women.
[00:36:06.400 --> 00:36:08.720] So, if I have a new design, I will show them.
[00:36:08.720 --> 00:36:10.320] Um, I was would you wear this?
[00:36:10.320 --> 00:36:11.600] Give me an honest opinion.
[00:36:11.600 --> 00:36:12.640] And that's something too.
[00:36:12.640 --> 00:36:22.000] Um, I know that as artists, we're very sensitive about our stuff, but that's something that I really appreciated is that that blatant honesty because I don't want to put nothing out that's that's funky.
[00:36:22.000 --> 00:36:28.640] You know, if it's near and dear to my heart, and it's something that I really feel like people resonate, I'm gonna do it because I'm the decision maker at the end of the day.
[00:36:28.640 --> 00:36:31.200] Um, but having those conversations with people really helped.
[00:36:31.200 --> 00:36:39.920] I will say, um, last year, two years ago, I'm working on like a new product that's separate from apparel, accessories, and home decor.
[00:36:39.920 --> 00:36:42.160] And I wanted to get people's feedback.
[00:36:42.160 --> 00:36:48.240] And so, I did like a survey, like I think I shared it on like our Instagram on our stories, and people actually engaged with it.
[00:36:48.240 --> 00:36:56.960] And I was able to get that really it was it helped me with my decision making and understanding potentially the lanes that I could go go to with that product.
[00:36:56.960 --> 00:38:34.880] So, I would say that has been helpful okay and speaking of all so you have a lot of products and you have to manage as a e-commerce business owner that dance between ideas the excitement to create it and then not having just too much stuff on your site right consumer overwhelm or not having I don't know if you hold any inventory at all now but or where you manufacture but having to balance inventory loads so you're not losing money so how did you manage that process a lot of my designs that are on the site a lot of them are like print on demand some of them are inventory 3pls are really great which is like a fulfillment service is really great um one one of the products that i currently manufacture myself which it is a manufacturing but it's like it's not i don't wouldn't call it on that scale but the product a product that i manufacture myself um is our acrylic bookmarks and right now one of my goals uh is to get uh the products into wholesale i actually don't know if i really like the process of like holding my own inventory selling it that way um i love wholesale i love retail um and obviously i love like direct to consumer for my products that are print on demand um but that's like one of the another like kind of lane that i'm trying to get into where i'm able to kind of have more of a grasp on how much is my inventory worth what i'm spending if that makes sense no that makes sense because inventory is expensive no matter what the price point is it is expensive to have to buy and hold inventory.
[00:38:34.880 --> 00:38:44.560] And when you say prints on demand, I'm curious if, so, for example, the pour Into You mug, which i'll insert a picture since i don't have it right now.
[00:38:44.560 --> 00:38:49.040] Um, that is a very beautiful rose pink colored glass.
[00:38:44.680 --> 00:38:53.760] So, that's not like you're when you think prints on demand, you're usually thinking a picture on a white mug.
[00:38:53.760 --> 00:38:57.200] Like, is that considered prints on demand?
[00:38:57.200 --> 00:39:00.560] Because it is a unique color, a unique composition.
[00:39:00.560 --> 00:39:10.400] Uh, no, that's actually like that's a limited edition product, and this is something I definitely need to do better work with, um, especially with when it comes to marketing and kind of uh brand storytelling.
[00:39:10.400 --> 00:39:27.840] Um, a lot of times, I don't know, uh, this last past year, uh, for Black History Month, I released a collection, and uh, one of our bags was a dope black woman bag, and that bag was people were they were, I wasn't getting death threats, but it was close in our email.
[00:39:27.840 --> 00:39:40.720] Um, and that was a limited edition product, and that's something that I need to do a better job of as a brand and brand owner is sharing those opportunities that I do receive to make sure people know that this is like a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing.
[00:39:40.720 --> 00:39:43.280] I don't know if I'll ever produce something like this again.
[00:39:43.680 --> 00:39:48.560] Yeah, and so I need to, I definitely need to do a better job if I do get more opportunities for that in the future.
[00:39:48.560 --> 00:39:54.560] I'll definitely do that because, um, I want people to be able to get those limited edition items.
[00:39:54.560 --> 00:40:02.880] Um, whenever I'm creating kind of like you said, the pouring to you uh black queen, where it's like a different product, something that you can't, you can't go to a store and get that.
[00:40:02.880 --> 00:40:10.560] That's something that is inside of me that I create from like the pro like the design that's actually on the product to the color to the material.
[00:40:10.560 --> 00:40:14.800] Like, I'm hands-on in everything that I create and I put out in that in that lane.
[00:40:14.800 --> 00:40:21.840] And I kind of think of it like a china cabinet, you know, those pieces that you know you're not even supposed to touch, but you obviously can't.
[00:40:21.840 --> 00:40:24.400] I make them for use, but I want them.
[00:40:24.400 --> 00:40:34.840] I really appreciate those opportunities because I'm able to create things that I might not not necessarily feel like is the best capital investment for my business directly.
[00:40:35.000 --> 00:40:44.120] So when I am working with like retailers and wholesale, I'm able to kind of put a little more pizzazz on it than I'm able to offer at this level that I'm at.
[00:40:44.120 --> 00:40:57.480] Okay, because with those partnerships, do they so they're obviously holding the inventory and then they command more so that you can put more into the creation that might be more expensive, right?
[00:40:57.480 --> 00:41:03.160] Yes.
[00:41:03.480 --> 00:41:07.640] So now let's transition to talking about getting into these major retailers.
[00:41:07.640 --> 00:41:10.360] So you've worked with brands like Target.
[00:41:10.360 --> 00:41:17.400] Let me know if there are some others you want to spotlight, but how did the partnership with Target come about?
[00:41:17.400 --> 00:41:19.400] How did you get into retail?
[00:41:19.400 --> 00:41:25.640] So I feel like we kind of talked about this earlier, but I truly believe that my name is in rooms that I haven't stepped into yet.
[00:41:25.880 --> 00:41:27.560] They actually reached out to me.
[00:41:27.560 --> 00:41:30.360] I don't really, and I probably should have asked this.
[00:41:30.360 --> 00:41:33.720] I don't really know how they discovered me, probably social media as well.
[00:41:34.280 --> 00:41:40.280] But when we were, you know, initially having a conversation, you know, it was kind of just like, this is a project we're working on.
[00:41:40.520 --> 00:41:43.160] We would love to, you know, see what you have to offer.
[00:41:43.400 --> 00:41:45.320] And it kind of built from there.
[00:41:45.480 --> 00:41:47.240] I've learned a lot.
[00:41:47.240 --> 00:41:48.280] I've learned a lot.
[00:41:48.520 --> 00:42:05.080] Not necessarily even about from a design standpoint, which I've learned a lot in that regard, but in a communication standpoint, in a negotiating standpoint, and from like a business standpoint, from legal, I really appreciated the opportunity to work with retailers because it pushed me and forced me to learn more.
[00:42:05.120 --> 00:42:09.400] Um, when I was just doing, you know, my e-commerce site, I wasn't working with anyone else.
[00:42:09.440 --> 00:42:10.840] Um, I was making the decisions.
[00:42:10.840 --> 00:42:12.840] I can, if I wanted to shut down today, I could.
[00:42:13.560 --> 00:42:16.720] That was an option because, you know, it was just me um doing it.
[00:42:16.720 --> 00:42:28.080] But working with the retailers has allowed me to learn and grow as a business owner and also to share products that I couldn't even imagine truly being held in my hand.
[00:42:28.080 --> 00:42:31.040] Um, and I'm able to create those, even this.
[00:42:31.040 --> 00:42:34.080] This is uh from uh this year's collection as well.
[00:42:34.080 --> 00:42:39.360] And I knew when I made it, I said, Oh, yeah, they're gonna love this because I love it.
[00:42:39.360 --> 00:42:43.040] And again, I create for myself and also for my audience.
[00:42:43.040 --> 00:42:44.320] How do those perform?
[00:42:44.320 --> 00:42:46.000] Like, how are you assessed?
[00:42:46.000 --> 00:42:48.080] And I mean, obviously, you're selling out, right?
[00:42:48.080 --> 00:42:52.800] But yes, how do those perform on the financial end, right?
[00:42:52.800 --> 00:42:58.640] Now that you have a partner and you're doing revenue differently, and profitability looks different.
[00:42:58.640 --> 00:42:59.760] So, how is that for you?
[00:42:59.760 --> 00:43:04.880] Is it worthwhile for you beyond the visibility and brand awareness?
[00:43:04.880 --> 00:43:08.080] Is it fiscally worthwhile for you?
[00:43:08.080 --> 00:43:11.440] Um, yeah, I would say it's definitely fiscally worthwhile.
[00:43:11.440 --> 00:43:18.720] Um, and two, it allows me two things: it allows me to pay my bills, it allows me to sustain myself.
[00:43:18.720 --> 00:43:23.360] I will say though, I am actually working full-time and also doing this.
[00:43:23.360 --> 00:43:36.000] I'm, I've, I've been in a battle between um next directions for my life as a creative, um, but this allows me to sustain life, it allows me to go out and travel and research and see.
[00:43:36.000 --> 00:43:43.360] Like, I actually was able to visit Amsterdam last year and see, you know, visit boutiques and see what they were doing, see how they were doing things.
[00:43:43.360 --> 00:43:47.520] Um, so this is definitely, it's definitely fiscally helpful to the business.
[00:43:47.520 --> 00:43:51.920] And also, it allows for me to speak on my brand, speak on myself.
[00:43:51.920 --> 00:43:58.080] It's one thing for me to share my numbers from a like an e-commerce standpoint on how successful that business has been.
[00:43:58.080 --> 00:44:06.120] But when I go into a Fortune 500 company and say, I did this, the business did this, the supporters did this, they show up and they show out.
[00:44:06.360 --> 00:44:15.000] It really helps me as a business to show that I not only really resonate with my audience and sometimes others, but also that the products resonate.
[00:44:15.000 --> 00:44:15.480] Yes.
[00:44:15.480 --> 00:44:21.480] And what you've been able to do on your own as a business owner, not a lot of people have done that.
[00:44:21.480 --> 00:44:24.920] So you could really take that and go into so many fields.
[00:44:24.920 --> 00:44:37.960] Speaking of deciding on your next direction in life, but tell us about how your side hustle journey has been: working full-time and then having this hugely successful company with brand partnerships, with being in retail at Target.
[00:44:37.960 --> 00:44:41.400] First of all, like when did you start working full-time?
[00:44:41.400 --> 00:44:45.480] What industry did you decide on instead of biochemistry?
[00:44:45.480 --> 00:44:46.600] How has it been?
[00:44:46.600 --> 00:44:47.080] Gotcha.
[00:44:47.080 --> 00:44:53.400] So I was actually just running Legendary Roots full-time until 2023, I believe.
[00:44:53.400 --> 00:44:55.960] And I was like, I think I want a job.
[00:44:55.960 --> 00:44:57.240] I wanted more.
[00:44:57.240 --> 00:45:01.800] I wanted obviously more money, more ability to do things.
[00:45:01.800 --> 00:45:03.000] I love traveling.
[00:45:03.000 --> 00:45:07.240] If I want to go somewhere, I would love having the opportunity to go and travel.
[00:45:07.480 --> 00:45:10.040] I work remotely, which is really a blessing.
[00:45:10.040 --> 00:45:12.360] I work in the nonprofit field.
[00:45:12.600 --> 00:45:15.240] If you are into politics, you might have seen my work.
[00:45:15.240 --> 00:45:17.880] It's not signed by me, but you might have seen my work.
[00:45:18.040 --> 00:45:24.040] I won't share the company, but you know, I think I can put two and two together.
[00:45:24.360 --> 00:45:24.920] Yeah.
[00:45:25.960 --> 00:45:42.600] And I love it because the work that I'm doing is, I truly believe making a difference and I, and, and something that I really love my impact that I've been able to take the important work that my organization is doing and put it to something visually beautiful.
[00:45:42.600 --> 00:45:51.600] I think that's like my whole thing is like turning, you know, a lot of text, a lot of words, a lot of passion and putting it to something that's digestible.
[00:45:52.240 --> 00:46:00.560] And I definitely had to learn the balance, especially working on these bigger projects with huge retailers while also having a full nine to five.
[00:46:00.720 --> 00:46:03.040] And one thing that really helped me was getting sleep.
[00:46:03.040 --> 00:46:04.640] I have a bedtime.
[00:46:04.640 --> 00:46:08.640] I and it's funny because my bedtime is 10:45.
[00:46:08.640 --> 00:46:11.440] I don't know if that's late, early, but 10:45.
[00:46:11.440 --> 00:46:13.920] And I like, I, you know, I have a morning routine.
[00:46:13.920 --> 00:46:19.040] So that's part of like the reason why, because I'm like, are you burnt out or you're not getting enough rest?
[00:46:19.040 --> 00:46:20.800] And oftentimes I wasn't getting enough rest.
[00:46:20.800 --> 00:46:22.720] So I had to, again, have that conversation with myself.
[00:46:22.720 --> 00:46:24.640] So I set a bedtime.
[00:46:24.960 --> 00:46:30.640] Once I'm done with work, I kind of allow some time to just, you know, chill, relax, not do anything.
[00:46:30.640 --> 00:46:37.280] And then I like around six, you know, like the my five to nine after my nine to five, um, I'm making dinner.
[00:46:37.280 --> 00:46:39.200] I'm looking at my task tracker.
[00:46:39.200 --> 00:46:44.720] I use, I don't know if you've heard of clickup, but I use click up to track my task, track what I'm doing.
[00:46:44.720 --> 00:46:47.360] Sometimes I forget to go into clickup.
[00:46:47.360 --> 00:46:54.560] So I'm, you know, reconciling my dates, making sure that I'm up to date on whatever I need to do and then kind of setting things out.
[00:46:54.560 --> 00:46:59.760] And also, I know that not a lot of people are fortunate, but I have a separate space.
[00:46:59.760 --> 00:47:02.640] So sometimes I do work from bed, to be honest.
[00:47:02.640 --> 00:47:07.040] But I try to come to my office and separate the two so that when I'm working, I'm working.
[00:47:07.040 --> 00:47:08.240] And when I'm relaxing, I'm relaxing.
[00:47:08.240 --> 00:47:12.560] And that's helped me to find a lot of peace in all of the different like things that I juggle.
[00:47:13.120 --> 00:47:20.320] You know, it's so interesting because it's good to talk to people because a lot of people are assuming from the outside in what your life must look like.
[00:47:20.320 --> 00:47:25.840] Like you're doing this, you're in this retailer, you must be doing XYZ.
[00:47:25.840 --> 00:47:28.400] But actually, you decided, like, hey, you know what?
[00:47:28.400 --> 00:47:29.360] I want more.
[00:47:29.360 --> 00:47:36.200] And it sounds like you're like, I want more predictability because that's the, I like your word, the frustration.
[00:47:36.200 --> 00:47:40.040] I won't call it a christmas, you know, of course.
[00:47:40.040 --> 00:47:47.320] But that is the road that you travel sometimes as an entrepreneur is the less predictability around your income.
[00:47:47.320 --> 00:47:49.960] And sometimes you might just say, I'm, you know what, I'm tired of this.
[00:47:49.960 --> 00:47:54.280] Like, I like, I still like doing this, but I'm going to need a regular paycheck too.
[00:47:55.240 --> 00:47:58.360] So it sounds like that was part of the appeal for you.
[00:47:58.360 --> 00:47:58.840] Right.
[00:47:58.840 --> 00:48:02.760] And we kind of touched on it when it comes to like knowing your numbers, knowing your metrics.
[00:48:03.000 --> 00:48:08.440] I don't know if people like know about like fire, but like financially independent, retire early.
[00:48:08.440 --> 00:48:12.200] So like learning about money, learning that money is a tool.
[00:48:12.600 --> 00:48:23.160] And therapy, I think, has really helped me to work on like the fears around money, the fears of around lack, and really being okay with those feelings, letting those feelings sit.
[00:48:23.160 --> 00:48:28.280] And because oftentimes those feelings subconsciously are the reasons why you're making certain decisions.
[00:48:28.280 --> 00:48:42.680] So I think knowing what I want and knowing why I wanted has really allowed me to be okay with certain decisions, whether that's working full-time, whether that's not working full-time and freelancing, because I was freelancing at one point.
[00:48:42.680 --> 00:48:48.600] And two, it kind of, like you said, it takes that pressure off and it allows me to reaffirm my skills.
[00:48:48.600 --> 00:49:07.240] Like just because I, you know, can create beautiful things for legendary roots, different spaces, different industries, being able to really show my skill sets because, and I think that that is definitely something that I struggle with when I was navigating whether I was going to get a full-time freelance, doing whatever to just supplement my income.
[00:49:07.240 --> 00:49:13.320] Is that because I did Legendary Roots for so long, that was my portfolio.
[00:49:13.320 --> 00:49:17.120] I, and, you know, I definitely helped with other people in my life.
[00:49:14.680 --> 00:49:20.400] I helped them do their branding, but that was like a branding identity.
[00:49:14.840 --> 00:49:21.840] That was not it, but that was it.
[00:49:22.000 --> 00:49:28.480] I really couldn't show and really speak to how my design work has allowed for businesses to thrive.
[00:49:28.720 --> 00:49:33.040] So, freelancing and working with Sign of 5 have reinstilled that for me.
[00:49:33.040 --> 00:49:35.600] And I've never really worked in corporate America.
[00:49:35.840 --> 00:49:40.560] So, it instilled the, you know, my skill sets around cross-functional.
[00:49:40.560 --> 00:49:44.720] And I'm still using that when these opportunities come with retailers.
[00:49:44.720 --> 00:49:46.160] You know, email, I don't know.
[00:49:46.160 --> 00:49:54.560] I don't know if you experienced it, but the emails and the meetings and all that and being able to have conversations and translate your ideas well.
[00:49:54.560 --> 00:49:58.800] I'm picking up all that as I'm going because I know what my final goal is.
[00:49:58.800 --> 00:50:02.720] So, I'm using that as like a leadway to where I really want to go.
[00:50:02.720 --> 00:50:04.000] Oh, I love that.
[00:50:04.000 --> 00:50:10.320] Oh, you said so many important things, knowing your numbers, of course, but knowing your numbers and relating it to your goal.
[00:50:10.560 --> 00:50:14.960] So many of us, we don't stop enough to say, okay, what do I really want out of life?
[00:50:15.600 --> 00:50:19.760] And how do I want to focus on getting there?
[00:50:20.400 --> 00:50:26.400] And if you want to retire by a certain age, then, all right, you're going to need your numbers to look a certain way.
[00:50:26.400 --> 00:50:28.640] What are the actual numbers that you need?
[00:50:28.640 --> 00:50:29.040] All right.
[00:50:29.040 --> 00:50:32.480] Then you could say, Okay, I need X amount per year, per month.
[00:50:32.480 --> 00:50:37.440] And the other thing is, were you ever worried about it taking away from your business?
[00:50:37.440 --> 00:50:41.440] Because that's something people worry about: like, all right, well, how will I juggle both now?
[00:50:41.440 --> 00:50:43.680] That's basically two full-time jobs.
[00:50:43.680 --> 00:50:46.080] Yeah, yeah, you said it.
[00:50:46.080 --> 00:50:58.240] Um, I would say that I think I've always been a go-getter, so I don't necessarily took it, I didn't, I never took it from that lens of like, you know, one taking over the other.
[00:50:58.240 --> 00:50:59.520] It was about balance.
[00:50:59.520 --> 00:51:07.560] Like, I, and I think I've, and this is, I think this is why my desire is kind of leaning towards that retiring early, figuring out what I want next in life.
[00:51:07.560 --> 00:51:11.880] It's because I've been grinding, I was grinding in high school, got good grades.
[00:51:11.880 --> 00:51:16.280] I didn't work, I worked like a summer job once I graduated, but I didn't work in college in high school.
[00:51:16.280 --> 00:51:19.960] And then I went to college, I got my biochemistry degree while I was building this business.
[00:51:19.960 --> 00:51:21.960] Now I'm working full-time while I was building this business.
[00:51:21.960 --> 00:51:26.520] So I've always been like a hustler and I've always, you know, wanted things for myself.
[00:51:26.840 --> 00:51:41.880] But I think finding balance and remembering my why has really allowed me to have that common ground, be able to do my work when I need to, while also being able to help and continue building my business, make sure that I'm showing up.
[00:51:41.880 --> 00:51:53.400] And these opportunities through these retailers do allow me the space and time to not have to grind as much as I used to when I was just kind of doing my e-commerce business model.
[00:51:53.400 --> 00:52:02.360] And the foundation, and this is why, even in times of strife, when I have been building this business, I've always said thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.
[00:52:02.360 --> 00:52:03.960] I practice gratitude.
[00:52:04.840 --> 00:52:06.040] And this is what I wanted to mention.
[00:52:06.040 --> 00:52:14.360] I forgot about it, but there are things and experiences that I'm living now that I pray for, I wish for.
[00:52:14.360 --> 00:52:25.160] And so I have to make sure that I'm grateful for the opportunities and to be intentional about not only the things that I do, but the things that I say, the things that I think, because it all fuels me internally.
[00:52:25.640 --> 00:52:29.240] So knowing all of that allows me to keep the focus.
[00:52:29.240 --> 00:52:31.000] And when I need to pull back, I pull back.
[00:52:31.000 --> 00:52:33.800] Like, I'm not, I'm not a machine.
[00:52:33.800 --> 00:52:34.920] I'm not a machine.
[00:52:34.920 --> 00:52:42.200] And learning that, and remembering that, and constantly reminding myself of that allows me to have that peace to where I'm not overworking myself.
[00:52:42.200 --> 00:52:45.440] And if I do feel burnt out, I'm taking a trip.
[00:52:45.440 --> 00:52:46.800] So, shout out to PCO.
[00:52:44.680 --> 00:52:50.480] You said it.
[00:52:52.560 --> 00:52:58.400] I've set up, I've set up the systems and the templates, and anything y'all need is set up in there.
[00:52:58.400 --> 00:53:02.080] If y'all, whatever y'all don't have, I'll get back to it when I get back.
[00:53:02.080 --> 00:53:05.200] So, oh my gosh, I needed that reminder.
[00:53:05.200 --> 00:53:05.680] Thank you.
[00:53:05.680 --> 00:53:07.840] That's why I always love having these conversations.
[00:53:07.840 --> 00:53:13.280] We're about to jump into the lightning round, but I just had to thank you because the gratitude piece is so important.
[00:53:13.280 --> 00:53:22.480] I also believe in manifestation, and I got to work on my gratitude piece even more because, yes, I do have a lot of things that I prayed for.
[00:53:22.480 --> 00:53:28.560] And in those moments of frustration, strife, overwhelm, chaos, I'm like, ah, it's chaotic.
[00:53:28.560 --> 00:53:33.040] But then if I just leave my gratitude, which I need to, so I will.
[00:53:36.560 --> 00:53:38.560] We're going to jump into a quick lightning round.
[00:53:38.560 --> 00:53:39.280] You know, the deal.
[00:53:39.280 --> 00:53:41.200] You just answer the first thing that comes to mind.
[00:53:41.200 --> 00:53:41.920] You ready?
[00:53:41.920 --> 00:53:43.360] Yeah, I'm ready.
[00:53:43.360 --> 00:53:44.000] Okay.
[00:53:44.320 --> 00:53:44.800] All right.
[00:53:44.800 --> 00:53:55.200] Number one: What is a resource, top resource that comes to mind, not Google, that is helping you in your business right now that you can share with the Side Hustle Pro audience?
[00:53:55.520 --> 00:53:56.400] Figma.
[00:53:56.400 --> 00:53:59.360] I use Figma oftentimes for creating my social graphics.
[00:53:59.360 --> 00:54:00.320] F-I-G-M-A.
[00:54:00.560 --> 00:54:01.760] F-I-G-M-A.
[00:54:02.000 --> 00:54:04.240] A lot of my social media graphics I create from there.
[00:54:04.240 --> 00:54:06.240] And I love it because it's basically templates.
[00:54:06.240 --> 00:54:09.200] It's like Canva, but like more technical.
[00:54:09.200 --> 00:54:15.680] But it's so once you get it set up with some components, you can set up like your colors, you can set up your text, you can set up your logo.
[00:54:15.680 --> 00:54:23.680] I'm just dragging, like, if I have a cis, a cis or a dear black woman, I'm able to kind of type that in and push it out in maybe a minute.
[00:54:23.680 --> 00:54:26.400] If that, like, it's such, it's such a good tool.
[00:54:26.400 --> 00:54:31.720] I'm able to have better systems because before I was all over the place when it comes to social media graphics.
[00:54:31.720 --> 00:54:32.840] So I love Figma.
[00:54:32.840 --> 00:54:33.800] Get it, sign up for it.
[00:54:33.800 --> 00:54:34.840] Let me know what you think.
[00:54:34.840 --> 00:54:36.120] You just put me on game.
[00:54:29.840 --> 00:54:36.520] Absolutely.
[00:54:36.600 --> 00:54:37.720] Cause I love your graphics.
[00:54:37.720 --> 00:54:38.120] Love it.
[00:54:38.120 --> 00:54:38.600] Thank you.
[00:54:38.600 --> 00:54:39.000] All right.
[00:54:39.720 --> 00:54:45.720] Number two: who is a non-celebrity black woman entrepreneur who you would want to switch places with for a day?
[00:54:45.720 --> 00:54:46.360] And why?
[00:54:47.000 --> 00:54:47.320] Shoot.
[00:54:47.320 --> 00:54:50.920] I'm like, you know, when you like think and you're, because I think the non-celebrity threw me off.
[00:54:50.920 --> 00:54:53.320] So I put the pressure on.
[00:54:53.320 --> 00:54:53.720] All right.
[00:54:54.360 --> 00:54:54.520] Okay.
[00:54:54.520 --> 00:54:55.720] Take out the non-celebrity.
[00:54:55.720 --> 00:54:56.200] I'm curious.
[00:54:56.200 --> 00:54:57.080] Who would you say?
[00:54:57.240 --> 00:55:01.240] Because, and this is why, because she's really my model for my mindset.
[00:55:01.480 --> 00:55:03.320] I would say Shonda Rhymes.
[00:55:03.880 --> 00:55:05.480] I try to read Year of Yes.
[00:55:05.480 --> 00:55:07.880] It's a book she wrote years ago.
[00:55:07.880 --> 00:55:13.400] I try to read that every year because it really inspired me to say yes to more opportunities.
[00:55:13.400 --> 00:55:18.520] Honestly, there were other retailers that offered me an opportunity before the main one I took.
[00:55:18.760 --> 00:55:21.720] And I said no to it just because it didn't feel right for me.
[00:55:21.720 --> 00:55:31.400] But that book really highlighted the importance of saying yes and being grateful of the things that come to me and not shying away because I don't want to do it or because it makes my tummy hurt a little bit.
[00:55:31.400 --> 00:55:33.080] So I would say Shonda Rhyme.
[00:55:33.240 --> 00:55:35.640] I would just want to see, you know, all that she does.
[00:55:36.040 --> 00:55:42.680] And I know that she's like recently had some opportunities where she had to speak up and say no and speak up for herself.
[00:55:42.680 --> 00:55:43.400] So I just love that.
[00:55:43.400 --> 00:55:48.520] And she really inspires me to keep up and keep showing up as an entrepreneur.
[00:55:48.520 --> 00:55:49.480] Likewise.
[00:55:49.480 --> 00:55:57.560] Oh, and I love when she took her brand and took her shows over because you got to do what you got to do.
[00:55:57.560 --> 00:55:58.840] Because she knew she had to get it.
[00:55:58.840 --> 00:56:00.600] She knew she was the it.
[00:56:00.600 --> 00:56:01.480] She had the it.
[00:56:01.480 --> 00:56:02.120] So yeah.
[00:56:02.120 --> 00:56:03.240] She was it.
[00:56:03.240 --> 00:56:03.640] All right.
[00:56:03.640 --> 00:56:07.800] Number three: what is a non-negotiable part of your day these days?
[00:56:08.120 --> 00:56:10.680] Having breakfast and being intentional about it.
[00:56:10.680 --> 00:56:15.760] And typically when I have my breakfast, it's after getting that protein in has been something else.
[00:56:15.760 --> 00:56:19.440] It's so weird because, like, I just can't imagine myself doing this, but I'm living it, you know.
[00:56:14.760 --> 00:56:22.320] And like I said, it's something that I've always wanted to do more seriously.
[00:56:22.480 --> 00:56:25.840] So, getting breakfast in, making sure that I'm starting my day right.
[00:56:25.840 --> 00:56:28.800] Um, so I would say that's like a non-negotiable.
[00:56:28.800 --> 00:56:33.600] And then, what's a personal trait that you think has really contributed to your success?
[00:56:33.600 --> 00:56:35.680] I ain't never scared.
[00:56:35.680 --> 00:56:51.680] I, um, even when I was first, you know, doing these like larger projects, um, I walked into the room being confident in my skill sets, knowing who I am, um, knowing that what's for me will not pass me, um, and knowing that God is guiding me to wherever I need to go.
[00:56:51.680 --> 00:56:57.600] So, just being confident and knowing that um, what's for me is for me, and if it's not for me, it's all right.
[00:56:57.600 --> 00:57:00.080] Um, I'm still me at the end of the day.
[00:57:00.080 --> 00:57:00.960] I love it.
[00:57:00.960 --> 00:57:14.960] Finally, what is your parting advice, Raven, for fellow women entrepreneurs, fellow people with gifts who just want to see something in the world, but are scared about okay, not having a study paycheck or all those different fears?
[00:57:15.280 --> 00:57:18.160] Um, I would say just start and ask for help.
[00:57:18.160 --> 00:57:26.880] Um, I actually listened to your, I believe, your last one, your last podcast with Rachel, and you all were talking about outsourcing laundry, yes, cleaning, yes.
[00:57:27.200 --> 00:57:33.520] Uh, I just had like a download recently about um delegating.
[00:57:33.520 --> 00:57:36.800] So, I've been doing some research into how to delegate, what to delegate.
[00:57:36.800 --> 00:57:40.800] Um, so ask for help, you don't have to do everything on your own.
[00:57:40.800 --> 00:57:46.160] Um, and be okay with when you get that help, be okay with them giving their opinion, especially if they're an expert.
[00:57:46.160 --> 00:57:49.600] Um, because that's something you know, we think we know everything.
[00:57:49.600 --> 00:57:52.800] So, being humble with that, that support that you receive.
[00:57:52.880 --> 00:57:57.040] Yep, yes, oh, a perfect parting word.
[00:57:57.040 --> 00:58:01.320] So, with that, you guys, thank you so much for being in the guest chair.
[00:58:01.320 --> 00:58:05.480] Where can people connect with you and legendary roots after this episode?
[00:57:59.840 --> 00:58:05.960] Gotcha.
[00:58:06.120 --> 00:58:15.800] Um, you can hit us up on all social media, legendary roots with a Z, um, and also at legendaryroots.com to explore our site, explore our products, and learn more about our story.
[00:58:16.600 --> 00:58:20.440] And there you have it.
[00:58:20.440 --> 00:58:23.480] Hey, guys, thanks for listening to Side Hustle Pro.
[00:58:23.480 --> 00:58:28.200] If you like the show, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
[00:58:28.200 --> 00:58:31.640] It helps other side hustlers just like you to find the show.
[00:58:31.960 --> 00:58:36.600] And if you want to hear more from me, you can follow me on Instagram at SideHustle Pro.
[00:58:36.600 --> 00:58:43.640] Plus, sign up for my six-foot Saturday newsletter at sidehustlepro.co/slash newsletter.
[00:58:43.640 --> 00:58:51.000] When you sign up, you'll receive weekly nuggets from me, including what I'm up to, personal lessons, and my business tip of the week.
[00:58:51.000 --> 00:58:55.720] Again, that's sidehustlepro.co/slash newsletter to sign up.
[00:58:55.720 --> 00:58:57.320] Talk to you soon.
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