Meet Shakya Vaughn

We were lucky to catch up with Shakya Vaughn recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shakya, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

My work ethic is the cornerstone of my professional journey. It has been instilled in me from a young age and evolved through various experiences. Growing up, I watched my mom and grandma work tirelessly to provide for me. They both worked at an embroidery factory for many years. Their determination and perseverance showed me the importance of hard work and dedication. I remember helping my grandma on the weekends, which taught me that success requires effort and sacrifice. At Blk Panther Creative, my work ethic is reflected in every project I undertake.

I am honestly a workaholic like my grandma, with BPC being my baby. However, this business and what I desire in the future motivates me to push boundaries and strive for the greater good. For those looking to cultivate a strong work ethic, I suggest this:

-Always stay committed to your goals.
-Be prepared to make sacrifices.
-Never settle for less than your best.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m Shakya Vaughn, the founder and creative director of Blk Panther Creative, a design agency specializing in brand and packaging design. Ever since I could remember, I always loved art, such as drawing. I used to draw on the margins of worksheets in school. When I was a senior in high school, I knew I wanted a career related to color. Then I came across graphic design—in 2020, I started online uni for my bachelor’s in Graphic Arts. Unfortunately, my college shut down the following year, so I found my current college after looking hard. I’m a design student working a 9-5, hoping to make Blk Panther Creative grow! I specialize in bold & powerful branding and packaging design. Blk Panther Creative was born from my passion for design and a desire to help brands tell their unique stories. I was inspired by the black panther’s mysteriously bold and fierce spirit, which matches me to a t. BPC focuses on creating designs that are not only visually stunning but also strategically impactful. One of my proudest moments was volunteering to rebrand a children’s clinic based in Kampala, Africa, which resulted in a fresh new look and helped them save $2k in marketing expenses.

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?

Reflecting on my journey, I realize that these three qualities—creativity, strength, and strategic thinking—have been instrumental in my success.

Creativity is at the heart of everything we do at Blk Panther Creative. It’s essential for developing unique and memorable designs. To cultivate creativity, I recommend exploring different forms of art and design, staying curious, and never being afraid to take risks. Being an entrepreneur is all about taking risks, even smart strategic ones. Resilience has helped me navigate the inevitable challenges of running a business. It’s about bouncing back from setbacks and learning from failures. Strategic thinking is crucial for aligning design efforts with business goals. It involves understanding the market, the competition, and the client’s vision. To develop these skills, I recommend studying marketing and business strategies and constantly seeking feedback.

For those starting their journey, focus on honing these qualities, stay passionate about your work, and be open to learning and growth.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

At Blk Panther Creative, I am always excited about new collaboration opportunities and the potential to create something extraordinary with like-minded individuals and brands.

I am particularly interested in partnering with fellow creatives and innovative brands, such as business owners, who share our passion for bold and impactful design. Whether you’re a small biz, a content creator, or a fellow designer, we believe in the power of collaboration to create something extraordinary.

If you’re interested in collaborating with Blk Panther Creative, don’t hesitate to email us at [email protected] or connect with us on Instagram at @blkpanthercreative. We look forward to exploring potential partnerships and creating excellent work.

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