Meet Deja Lawrence

We recently connected with Deja Lawrence and have shared our conversation below.

Deja, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Great Question,

I like to believe that I keep my creativity alive by not putting so much pressure on myself. I feel like as a creative there are so many stigmas that come with wanting to produce art or content, and along with that , wanting to be able to display and share those talents with others to feel validated and seen.

This can also create a sense of obligation in the space of being creative, to stay consistent, and to possibly feed into the expectations others may have of you and your talents. In those aspects I like to keep reminding myself that creativity is unique to each person, and that expression is highly unique also.

If you are creative, free yourself from not only your own expectations but the expectations of others. Find a way to be bold and expressive in your work and also humble and vulnerable while remaining confident in who you are and the talents God has given you.

My creativity has stretched beyond canvas to dance and music, creative direction and even hair coloring, I like to push my own boundaries and create whatever feels right to me in that moment. I get inspiration from everything about life, my own experiences and even from the creativity of others.

One of my favorite music quotes is from an NC artist J. Cole when he said “this is my Canvas , imma paint it how I want it baby” – Apparently. He goes on to describe how there is no wrong way to live out your life and creativity in the song.

I love this song because it speaks to the truth of being creative. There will be plenty of people and ideals to tell you how to paint (live). Ultimately the art of life, how you live it and express those experiences is up to you.

That’s how I feel about my creativity, I’m always changing and evolving expressive mediums to avoid getting bored and becoming stagnant and encouraging learning new skills and art forms. What I enjoy most about keeping my creativity thriving is learning new skills and talents, sometimes with high stakes like sending wigs on tour or for a magazine shoot for Tia Corine or low stakes like singing karaoke in my room and doing covers, I love all of it.

Any aspiring creatives , don’t allow stigmas to stop you, you’re a creative even if no one ever experiences your creativity. You don’t have to constantly post or try to keep up with what’s trending to “be a creative”, just do what feels right to you and share it with the world when you feel ready, or don’t. Either way , life is your Canvas , paint how you want it baby.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am an Entrepreneur and a Creative, sometimes I like to combine the two !

I have a small business called Service By D Co. that I started a few years back. It originally was a beauty and wellness company offering aromatherapy massages and hair services. I eventually expanded upon that offering fitness sessions as I have a B.S Kinesiology from UNCG as well as other skill sets transitioning to more of a temp services company.

I also began offering my creative services through Service By D Co., extending audio and visual services to other black owned brands such as Flourish Your Drip IV Hydration. Using my creative gifts I started shooting small ads for R.N Jasmine Sanders in Raleigh, and even volunteering at The Black Canvas art studio in Fayetteville, an amazing paint and sip lounge. There I offer my personality as a Host and my skill set as an artist to help produce templates, curate events, and much more!

I love the journey of expanding upon my interest and talents in fun and exciting ways. I can now say I have done wigs for amazing artists like Tia Corine, she recently wore one of the units from Service By D Co. to Lollapalooza 2023 and even did the MTV BMI takeover. Experiences like this and so much more is only possible because I was willing to take a chance on myself.

This doesn’t always mean success but each experience, fail or succeed, is continually molding me as an entrepreneur and creative. I look forward to working with Cookiee Kawaii again soon ! Additionally I have reached out to other amazing talents like Akua the Rockstar and Flower in Bloom, other amazing women and all around creatives I’m excited to get a chance to work with when the timing is right, as well as working with any other amazing creatives out there !!

This is also where not putting too much pressure on myself comes in. I still maintain jobs from time to time because all of these aspirations can become costly and at times difficult to fund independently, but each time I am able to achieve something big or small I truly appreciate the journey.

I am currently running end of summer and back to school hair specials (hair included) and offering pre-orders for wigs !!!!

I am also about to launch a raffle to win a portable workout bench valued at $150. Entry details will be mentioned on my IG page (@service.by.d.co)

I am currently rebranding and preparing to launch a fully functional website at the end of the year until then , any business inquiry can be completed through my business email or administrated from my business IG

For events from The Black Canvas check out their Instagram @blackcanvas.paint to book sessions !

Email: deja.b.ytc@gmail.com
IG : service.by.d.co

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
– Patience – Grace
– Resilience

These three qualities are huge for entrepreneurship and creativity. You will find that it’s all a journey of discovery with that comes mistakes and that is absolutely okay. Give yourself grace as well as others and have the patience to accept what is out of your control and change the things that you can. Keep the resilience to keep going no matter the outcome and you will eventually reach that destination. When you do, every up and down will be well worth the ride.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I would say my community of family and friends have been hugely impactful on my journey to success.

There are days that are great when you feel like you know you have everything you need, and then others where you feel like you just can’t do it at all because everything feels impossible. It’s a part of entrepreneurship and creativity that many don’t openly speak to. I have found that in those moments it’s amazing when you have a true community that believes and encourages you.

There have been many times when I thought I would plateau, and in those moments I took my concerns to my close family and friends and received a tremendous amount of reassurance, love and support to get over the hump and for that I am extremely grateful.

I would still fumble and mess up, but it was so reassuring to know I had that kind of support in my corner. All of the mistakes have only presented opportunities to grow and become better and I appreciate having that outlook. I may not always get it perfect and that’s okay as long as I am giving it my absolute best, I can be proud of the outcome win or lose, and know I have people to help dust me off when I fall and lift me up when I succeed.

My sister has been the biggest support along with our Dad, and the first time I saw entrepreneurship was seeing my Mom start businesses when she was enlisted, so I know I am capable of reaching success, and I am excited about the journey I will have to get there and all it will teach me.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
@ceegeewiththapic

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