- 2 days ago
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00:00Between like Missy, you had Luda, who's somebody that like really popped on stage last, last,
00:07T.I., anybody else? Who, shout, Missy? Ice Cube, okay. Anybody excited for the hot girl coach?
00:15Yeah, Megan, y'all going? Yeah? All right, well, first of all, we want to say hi, I'm Kenyatta,
00:22I'm editorial lead writer for Essence Girls United. And I'm Ryan Sampson, I'm the social
00:28lead for Essence Girls United. And, you know, we just want to come over here and talk to y'all
00:32for a second while you guys are waiting on your shirts, waiting in line for Tooth Gems,
00:36and just kind of do a temperature test. Like, how are y'all doing today? Like, how's everything
00:39going? I know it's hot outside. Are you guys enjoying GU Creators House so far? Yeah? Okay,
00:46love that. So if it's your first day here, essentially, and I believe Rochelle just kind
00:51of spoke to it, but essentially what we've been doing these last couple of days is giving
00:55Black creatives a space to learn, grow, and learn from, like, industry professionals.
01:01And really just, like, get that intimate experience as to what it is being a Black
01:06creative and what all of that entails. So, like, the good, the bad, the ugly, not just
01:11kind of sugarcoating the experience of post it and you'll make money, but actually, like,
01:16you know, here's how you get a brand deal. Here's how, you know, you utilize your content.
01:21Here's how you kind of maximize yourself as, you know, a budding creative, whether you're
01:26small or big. So, you guys are kind of joining the last day, but we still have some really
01:30interesting conversations coming up, especially if you guys are into sports. I would stick
01:36around. We have some really cool guests coming on to talk about just being a Black woman in
01:40sports and just, like, kind of talking to that narrative and kind of flipping it a little
01:45bit. And honestly, expanding upon the conversation of what it means to be a creator, it doesn't
01:51necessarily mean that you have to make content, shoot videos, but if you're in any space, like,
01:57we're talking about sports, but we have FlauJ, if you guys know who she is on the LSU team,
02:02she will be joining us today. So, you know, and she's in her rap game, has been before, you know,
02:08all of this basketball stuff even took off. So, you know, we are really just kind of diving
02:12into the culture and making sure that we amplify Black women on all areas, not just
02:18an influencer that you might see on TikTok or something like that. So, we're really excited
02:23to have you guys here. I know you guys came for the shirts, but I'm glad you guys are staying
02:27for the conversations that we have. Yes, for sure. And we also have Milan Harris, who is
02:31an entrepreneur, a businesswoman. So, I wanted to do a temperature check. Do we have any
02:35entrepreneurs in the building? Yes. Yes. Any content creators? Yes. Okay.
02:42Okay. So, you know, we really want to have a conversation with you guys of just like, you
02:46know, the importance of owning your voice as content creators, owning your voice as
02:52entrepreneurs. And, you know, definitely would love to do a Q&A on just some of the
02:57things, you know, you have learned on your journey. What are you excited for as you embark
03:02on your journey? Anybody want to start off? No? Anyone have any questions? Like she said,
03:08y'all put yourselves on the spot. There's content creators, entrepreneurs. Yes. And honestly,
03:13I'll go down and, yeah, moderate and I'll answer as well. Yes. Well, use this as a networking
03:20hour. So, if you don't know, if you don't know anybody here, I know you'll meet somebody
03:24after. You tell your business what you do, what you like to do, and, you know, connect.
03:30So, yes, when I can do the mic, state your name, state what you do, and your question.
03:34Yes. Oh, I have to say what I do? As I say, I don't think I want to know what I do. But
03:40I am a content creator, and I do want to know, what is your best advice for staying motivated
03:47and constantly having a good schedule for when you, you know, do your own work at home?
03:53Because I do my own work at home, and it's really hard for me to get up and find the motivation
03:57to want to, like, put my foot down and just go ahead and start, knock it out, get it out
04:02like, if that makes sense. Here, read the question. Yeah, so, ooh, I'm loud. She said,
04:08how do you essentially get motivated as being a content creator, especially if you work from
04:12home, if you don't necessarily have that creative studio to feel influenced to make stuff? I
04:19guess I could go first since I got the mic. Yeah. So, I work from home, and like I said,
04:23I do social media, and honestly, it's daunting sometimes. Like, it's hard to not wake up and
04:29just sit up and work from your bed and your computer. It's really gross, y'all. Like,
04:33working from home, it has its perks, but sometimes it's really nasty. Like, sometimes you don't feel
04:40like being in that space, or like, I think people have really glamorized the working from home of
04:47like, oh, I'm going to get up, shower, go to a coffee shop, and it don't work like that all the
04:52time. So, I guess my piece of advice and something that's worked for me is I, even though sometimes
04:58I don't have the budget, just make your home space as, I don't want to say office-y, because I don't
05:04like to mix home and business as much, but honestly, section off a certain space where you know in your
05:10mind, okay, I'm going here to work. Put your desk, put like some office materials, or put like a dual
05:16monitor, something that makes it feel a little bit more, not that it's not real, but something a
05:22little bit more established, but also make sure to differentiate that from like your bedroom. Like,
05:28you don't want to work where you sleep, because that's going to cause you so much stress. And
05:32firsthand, like, I, for like months, I was not sleeping the way that I should, and I was like,
05:38oh, it's because I'm waking up and working, and that's not how we're supposed to operate.
05:43So, like I said, the perks of working from home are there. I'm not going to deny that, but my best
05:48piece of advice is just to make sure that you establish, invest in your space, invest in your
05:54home studio, invest in something that you feel proud of waking up to every day. So, and Kenyatta,
06:00if you want to answer from like an editorial perspective, because she also works from home, so.
06:04Yes, definitely when it just comes to working from home and prioritizing, you know, making content,
06:09having your ideas put out, I definitely think it's important to have that balance and definitely
06:16don't lose the fire in you. Like, it's important that you know, like, okay, I love what I do. I love
06:22my ideas. That should be the motivation to just continue to keep going. I know, like Ryan said,
06:28working from home can be like a whole thing and definitely like testing your motivation. But I
06:33think when you think about that goal of just like, I got the best ideas. Nobody can do what I do. I'm so
06:38unique. I'm so intelligent. I'm so important. Like that's going to be the key factor that helps you
06:43keep going when creating content. So, um, I think we had a question up here, Ryan. Okay.
06:52My sandals are sliding off y'all. I'm running as fast as I can. Here you go.
06:56Hi. Hi. I'm sorry. I know I just heard you say that y'all work from home, but what I wanted to
07:03know is how do y'all incorporate the Lord and what y'all do? Do y'all seek him to, uh, advice on what
07:13y'all should be doing? That's what I want. Oh my God. I love, I love a good spiritual question. Me too.
07:18Um, I'm definitely a spiritual person. I definitely rely on just, you know, my faith. I rely on my bigger
07:26purpose. I know I was put on this earth for a reason. And I think especially for young black girls,
07:31we have to remember our purpose. And even if you don't know your purpose, what are you good at?
07:36What do people tell you? What are the affirmations you tell yourself? Like, you know, I can do this.
07:41I know I was put on this earth for a reason. I know I'm moving through my purpose. So I definitely
07:46think it's important as career women, as people in college, people who are trying to figure it out.
07:51I definitely think it's important to just, you know, rely on your beliefs and, you know, your higher,
07:57your higher purpose. I definitely agree. And something that you kind of lose focus on is
08:03making sure that you have time for those personal moments, especially when it comes to religion. So
08:08I mean, just getting personal, like I just made it a goal of mine to like, just start going to church
08:13again. Like, I think that's something, regardless of if you work from home or not, I think that's
08:18something we lose a lot or like think that we don't have enough time for. And when you,
08:23when you, when you're constantly kind of working, working, working from home, you never know when
08:28to stop. I think that's also a downside of working from home. You never know when to pull the plug.
08:33And that often bleeds into your weekend and your time to make space to go and practice your religion,
08:41whatever it might be. But that's one thing that I've made sure to do just within like these next,
08:46and it's still a work in progress, but just making time and space for me to feel connected.
08:53And, and really feel like embraced with like a higher power. So, you know, like I said,
08:58I don't want to get too specific because everyone practices what they practice. But yeah, just making
09:02sure that you're making time and space for you to actually do those things and not making an excuse
09:08of why you can't do it. Like, I know it's a Sunday. We only have like two days off during a weekend.
09:13And sometimes the last thing you want to do is get up early. But when you do, you know, you just feel
09:18more connected and, and it kind of builds and you form that routine of making sure you're tapped in
09:23with, with the Lord. So, um, yeah, absolutely. Anybody else had a question in the audience? No, no, no.
09:29Yes. For the, if anybody just walked in, we're doing like a little Q and A temperature check on all
09:33things, content creation, media, mental health. Honestly, y'all want to vent. Right. If y'all got something
09:40on your chest that you want to say, this is an open. Oh, okay. Yeah. Okay. Here you go.
09:47Hey y'all. I'm Maddie, uh, AKA Maddie on the beat. I'm one of the top makeup artists in Cincinnati,
09:54Ohio. So if y'all ever in Ohio, hit me up. Um, so I just wanted to know, like the way that you
10:04portray yourself in like a public atmosphere, like, do you see yourself changing, like how you
10:12are? Does that make sense? And not trying to give people the wrong impression of you? Cause I've
10:18noticed that I do that a lot. Like, I'm not going to hold y'all. I want to pussy pop on the hair stand
10:22on the ceiling every time I hear this new Orleans music, but I just don't want people to, you know,
10:28portray me in that way. Like, how do you go about that?
10:31Oh, that's a great question. I definitely think that's a conversation between just black women
10:37in general. We feel like we have to kind of conform to respectability politics. And we think
10:42that, you know, we have to be just this one cookie cutter way girl. If you hear some bounce music,
10:48do not be afraid to just like, you know, throw a little thing. And you know, because at the end
10:52of the day, like we're not a monolith, we're multifaceted as black women, we can be multiple things.
10:58And that doesn't take away from, you know, your professionalism. That doesn't take away from
11:02who you are as a professional, as an individual, like you're, and again, our careers are not our
11:08personality traits. They do not define us. And so, you know, always just remember like, and we're young,
11:15we're having fun. Like it's nothing too serious to be on social media. And you know, if you, you're at a
11:20party, you want to have a good time. Like that's why we have close friends. So you can use your close
11:25friends, but also like, don't overthink and think, you know, I, I have to be a cookie cutter
11:29person. And authenticity is everything people can spot when you're not being yourself from a mile
11:36away. Like you, you like just yourself, like without even speaking, you make a statement.
11:41If you were to come up to me and be like, hi, I'm blah, blah, blah. Like, I know that's not you,
11:45girl. Like, let me, let me see like your full authentic self. And like, especially if that is a part
11:51of your brand and what you're wanting to do, don't ever waver from that. And if someone doesn't want
11:55to work with you because of that, then that just is more exactly, exactly. That's just more reason
12:01for you to not work with them. They don't see it for you. They don't know your best interests. So
12:05show up as you, like I said, you make a statement. Like I've been seeing you all weekend. And like,
12:11I know you're the girl with the blonde locks. Like that, that is your like staple,
12:16like who you are as a part of, you know, and don't, girl, this is the same space to cry.
12:22Go ahead.
12:25I'm glad.
12:26I love that.
12:26And you deserve it.
12:27We're happy that you're here too. And you know, we're happy that we're able to cultivate spaces
12:31like this. Like we said, you know, we're a small team, a small team of creatives. We see like year
12:37round what you guys are into, what you guys want to learn, what you guys, you know, are lacking. And we
12:42want to be able to provide a space for you guys to learn and grow from that. So I'm, it warms our
12:48heart that you're, you're learning something from that. But like I said, authenticity, everything.
12:52Don't ever waver from who you are. Like if they don't get it, they don't get it. Kick rocks. Period.
12:57And that's it.
12:59Absolutely.
13:01Yes.
13:01Anybody else have a question? One event?
13:04Yes. Like I said, we're doing anything you guys want to talk about. If you guys have any questions
13:08about GU. I know it's a lot of media girls in here. If you have any questions for us about just like
13:14what we do, if you have any mental health questions, like where, where your girls to answer.
13:19Anybody? Anybody?
13:20And if not, we'll let y'all get back to the music.
13:22Right.
13:23You have a question? I'm coming, girl.
13:25Yay.
13:29All right.
13:30I don't really have a question. I want everybody to follow my lemonade business.
13:37Three lemons, lemonade. The word three lemons, lemonade.
13:44I hope y'all got that.
13:46Period.
13:46Plug the business.
13:48Yes. Plug your business. If anybody got a business, again, we're here to plug your business.
13:53This is the space to do it. Don't be shy.
13:56Anybody?
13:56Anybody?
13:57Okay.
13:58Oh, yes.
13:58Yeah. I saw them hands raised when we said plug the business.
14:02Right.
14:02Here you go.
14:03Hi, I'm Tuesday. I don't have a business to plug, but I wanted to know a little bit more
14:09about the writing process and how that is for you. Both of y'all.
14:13Okay.
14:15Definitely. I love the writing process. I definitely think with a brand like GU, we're literally
14:22all about just shaking things up, starting different conversations. So I have a lot of freedom
14:28to write about various things. If I want to write about misogyny and music, if I want to
14:33write about colorism, if I want to write about just empowering black women, black creatives
14:40and being inclusive to people. Like we have the space to do that. This space, we curated
14:46this just for you guys. Like we wanted it to be a safe space where you guys can meet other
14:51people, connect with each other, you know, vent. If you need to vent, this is the space
14:56to do it. And so with the editorial side, just writing and, you know, focusing on different
15:03topics that are prominent for black women and black creatives, like that's just the best
15:08thing ever. So definitely like, again, I'm on the editorial team. If anybody wants to pitch,
15:14we're always taking pitches. We're always taking story ideas and just using young, fresh voices
15:19for the platform.
15:20Yeah. And I mean, she said it, it's really a collaborative effort, especially on the social
15:26side. Like I was talking to Kenyatta about this all week and I'm like, the way I have
15:31so much fun creating social content around the editorial content. Like she said, we really
15:37dive into stuff that people are afraid to talk about or like only feel like they can only
15:42have one opinion towards. So like the colorism topic, for example, we went in on it instead
15:47of just kind of regurgitating, though, what people are saying, you know, just across the
15:51Twittersphere. How can we like switch up the topic? How can we dive deeper? How can we find
15:56a new angle as to how we're speaking about this and draw people in? So I think the best
16:02process for writing also is collaboration. A lot of our best, our best pieces come from
16:08us just like meeting in the morning and being like, did you see what so-and-so did last night?
16:12Right.
16:13Let's talk about it and let's like, how can we dive deeper into it? Like once you, people
16:18want to read that authentic voice. If you're finding yourself having a conversation about
16:22a certain topic and like, you're like, if you get that ping of like, oh, this might be interesting
16:28to write about, go for it. Cause chances are nobody has actually like given that angle or
16:34actually like taking the effort to take the conversation elsewhere or, you know, switch.
16:39I don't know. It's collaboration is just key in moments like that. And like I said, Kenyatta,
16:45I have a lot of fun collaborating with you, girl. If you don't know Kenyatta Victoria, AKA
16:50Victoria Coleman, please check her pen. Cause she, her, her voice is amazing. Um, and, and she's
16:57really just given GU her and our content, um, editor Danielle, right? Have really just given
17:02GU a breath of fresh air. Um, so just a plug while everybody else is plugging, be sure to
17:08go to girlsunited.essence.com and see all of their amazing stories. Um, just pertaining
17:13to not just culture, but fashion, beauty, TV shows, everything. So soft plug, soft plug.
17:20Soft plug. Slight plug. Anybody else got anybody else want to plug? Oh, we have somebody back
17:25there. Oh, we are. Yes. I'm loving the interaction. Ma'am in the orange. We're matching. Oh wait,
17:29who was first? Okay. Hi. Hi. How you doing? Good. How are you? Good. Good. Hi. My name is
17:38Diamond Bradley. So I am an entrepreneur. I started my business in college. It's called the primary
17:44movement. It's a creative agency that builds sustainable careers and community for black creatives in
17:49Atlanta, but also in different States. I also am a yoga instructor as well. So my question is in
17:55regards to how do you step into building your community that you've built? Um, how did, how have
18:05you, how can you move your movement into making a platform for yourself as an influencer and just
18:12getting out of the imposter syndrome, um, mindset or the imposter syndrome mindset? Um, and just
18:19knowing that you can be authentically you on social media and in real life, like what are some steps
18:24that you've taken in your career path to just be, um, in a space where you can be creative, you can be
18:32dynamic, you can be all the things, like you said, multifaceted, um, on these platforms and also be
18:38pitching yourself to brands. What are some things that you have find successful within yourself,
18:45but also in other young black women stepping into this space? Oh, love that question. Um,
18:51definitely one, just do it. Like I know people be like, just start, but that really does make a
18:56difference because that gives you the motivation, especially like I'm from Atlanta, you being in the
19:01Atlanta area, like it's so many different creatives and people like you could walk into a room and just
19:06start talking to somebody and they're like, Oh my God, like I have my own business. And you're like,
19:10Oh my God, me too. Let's connect. Let's do that. And you know, just start like you're here right now.
19:16Like it's so many people that are probably like looking for a yoga instructor. I definitely want
19:21to get into some yoga so we can link. And so, you know, don't be afraid to put yourself out there.
19:27I know it's like very hard. I'm an introvert and it can be very hard for introverts to just be like,
19:32all right, I'm gonna, you know, put my best foot forward, see what happens. But honestly,
19:37once you get out of your head, the worst anybody could say is I'm not interested or no, but other,
19:42but nine times out of 10, especially for young black creatives who are trying to put their foot
19:47forward. It's just important to just start, like, just do it. Just put yourself out there. Just meet
19:51people and be like, Hey, how you doing? Um, I have my business. I'm a creative. We should connect.
19:56We should link up. And honestly, like people are very collaborative. We all want to see each other win.
20:01We all want to be, you know, we don't all just not, not one person just has to be at the top.
20:06Like we all can be at the top. We all can get further ahead when we work together. So definitely
20:11like, don't be afraid. Like just, just start. I know imposter syndrome can be very loud in your head,
20:17but honestly, like once you put, once you make that first step, it's all going to fall into place
20:21and it's all going to feel like, Oh, like I was worried for nothing.
20:24And then I'd also like to say, regardless of the following that you have, make sure you really
20:30are like tapped in with them. Like make sure you're communicating with them. Like instead of
20:36reaching for the next 1000 or the next 10,000 followers, really appreciate the people that you
20:43have in your corner right now. Cause like, even on GU, the main people that we see really pop on our
20:49socials are the people who have like a huge community based following. So like, they may
20:53have, I don't know, like only a couple thousand followers or whatever, but the impact that they
20:59have within that couple thousand is so much more impactful than someone with like 1.2 million.
21:05Like, I don't know if you guys hear, but like some influencers who have millions of followers can't
21:09even sell like a t-shirt. So make sure that you are paying attention to the people who you have right
21:15now. See how they can help you grow. See how they can like tap into their resources and tap into
21:22their communities to make sure that you're being amplified versus just like, okay, y'all are cool,
21:28but let me, let me reach for the next. That next will come. You just have to foster what you have right
21:34now. I think that's the, that's the best thing. So I don't want to like fluff it up. Cause I know
21:39growing a following is hard. Like, trust me, growing a following is very difficult. Sometimes you flop,
21:45sometimes you win. Um, it really just depends, but, um, just make sure you, you really just let them
21:52know that you see them, you see this support and keep it pushing from there. Yes. So y'all make sure
21:57y'all connect. Absolutely. And did you, did you want to go now? Yes, ma'am. Okay. You kind of answered
22:04my question already, but I still want to plug in my business. My name is Aliyah Gaines. I'm an entrepreneur.
22:11Me and my mom own Gaines Graphics 318. We are a print and press company. So all of you guys that
22:18are out there and you have a business or you're starting up a business, or you know anybody with
22:23a business and you guys need apparel, we provide it in house. We print it out for you. We do embroidery,
22:30DTF, sublimation, anything you can think of. Um, we can ship it out. We ship all around the world.
22:38We have shipped out of the country. So if you guys need anything, you know, just let us know. Again,
22:43it's Gaines Graphics, G-A-I-N-E-S, Graphics 318.com.
22:50Yes. We love the graphics. Sorry, y'all. I'm, I'm, I'm networking. Can y'all, I'll let you,
22:56let you take it away. Anybody else got any questions? Anybody else want to plug their business?
23:01We could just, we're just here to chat. No, no. Anybody? Here, I'll pass you the mic. You didn't
23:10said it, girl. Oh, yes. My name is Tish and I'm from Iowa. Everywhere we go, everybody's like,
23:21black people are in Iowa. Yes. Abundant and beautiful. Um, but, um, my question is, um,
23:31as far as growing your business and basically, I guess I have a medical billing business. So,
23:42and like a cake pop business. And so I have a lot of problems finding, um, networking for providers that
23:51are interested in networking. And so how do you start something, um, off when, you know,
23:59you don't have a lot of client base? You know, how do you sell yourself? Right. That's a great
24:07question. Um, I definitely think one, just knowing that you, what you bring to the table, definitely
24:14that is the first thing. Know what you bring to the table. I know it's very hard to like start
24:19building a clientele. It's very hard to start building that roster, that team. But honestly,
24:24like when you, when you get that one person and you're just like, all right, this is my goal.
24:29These are my initiative. I want to see you win. You want to see me win. When you guys already have
24:34that foundation together, anything is possible. You're able to grow your foundation, grow your
24:40business. And then other people will start to see like, oh, dang, like they're really, you know,
24:44a well-oiled machine. Even if it's just two people, then it's like, oh, okay. I want to join
24:49that team. I want to be a part. And I definitely think it's important that you don't focus on the
24:54number and just focus on the quality of your brand and what you bring and what you know you can do,
25:00whether or not you have a large roster or a small roster.
25:03Of course. Yes. Anybody else got any questions?
25:10I got you, girl. We have a question.
25:14Y'all good? I want to do a temperature. We all good? Yes. Yes. Yes.
25:17Hey, y'all. I'm not a business, but I am a local foodie. So I was just going to plug my page.
25:24Um, it's underscore Cravenola. Wait, underscore Cravenola. That's Cravenola with a C. So if y'all
25:34have like any recommendations, where to eat at, I'm your girl. DM me. So yes. Yes. We love good food.
25:42I love good eats. I'm gonna look that up. Yes. Anybody else got any questions? No, no.
25:48All right. Well, without further ado, I just want to thank you guys for just like vibing with us,
25:55chilling with us. I know y'all are waiting for your shirt. So I hope you guys enjoyed this
26:00conversation. I was really happy to just, you know, meet some of you guys and speak with some of you
26:04guys. And like I said, me and Ryan are literally in here the whole day. So if y'all want to connect,
26:09y'all have any questions I want to ask off camera or anything like we're here for that. Again, GU is all
26:15about fostering community. We're all about being a safe space to young black women, creatives,
26:22entrepreneurs, the foodies. Like I'm very excited that you guys are here. I hope you guys enjoyed
26:28yourself and yeah, stay tuned for more panels. We have two more panels coming up all about
26:34entrepreneurship, sports, business, all of that. So if that is what you are all about, definitely
26:39stay tuned, stay seated and yeah, connect, network. I hope you guys enjoyed yourselves. Ryan,
26:45anything you want to say? That's it. She said it, y'all. Thank you guys for listening to us ramble
26:50for the last like 30. Like again, this is a safe space. So Eddie, you can come up to us. She just
26:55said we're walking around. I'm in this big bright orange dress. Kenyatta is standing tall in those
27:01heels. So we will be around. If you want to walk up to us, just talk. You don't even have to try to
27:07be forced to network. If you just want to have a conversation, we're here and we just want to make sure
27:12you guys are having a good time while you guys are at Essence Fest specifically at GU Creators House.
27:17And that is it.
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