Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yaasameen Garrett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Yaasameen, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Honestly, it is a continuous uphill battle. It has taken me months to even respond to this interview request because I am constantly fighting these feelings of why me. On the flip side, WHY NOT ME? I am now questioning the questioning of myself. I will list out the things that I have done just so that I can remind myself that I am that girl. I think sometimes we get so caught up in just doing what we love and what we are passionate about that we don’t think about the impact. I also have these need and desire to stay so humble that I dim my light. It is okay to shine, to be, to acknowledge the work you have done and what you are accomplishing and you can do all of those things and not be egotistical.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am the founder of Brain Flower Studios a multimedia company focused on making Black creatives feel seen.
We do this through digital content, meetups and events. I like to look at Brain Flower Studios as community work disguised as media because our whole focus is the community of creativity. My background is in digital marketing, e-commerce and creative production. I also was a theater kid (s/o to all of the thespians) and through BFS I am able to take all of my favorite things and put them into one. Not only is that a dream but being able to do it for Black creatives, that is the dream come true.
Everything we do is FUBU, for us and by us.
We are currently in the process of planning our first ever multimedia exhibit: The Heart Show, cementing hair as a medium of artistry. We had our production shoot May 1st, where we highlighted the works of Mae, a Dallas creative hair artist and interviewed other Black creatives in the hairworld.
This is something that the DFW has never seen and we need help bringing it to life. I am currently working on a community fundraising campaign where I want to reach out to local businesses in Fort Worth and put up a few prints of the work from the exhibit like mini pop-up previews. On these prints, there will be a QR code that will link them to a webpage all about The Heart Show and a place for them to donate.
For us to succeed, we need our community.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The ability to persevere is one of the most impactful qualities I believe I posses on this journey, that and pivoting. Starting anything worth it isn’t easy. Things will happen out of your control, things will happen that will completely ruin everything, life will happen, but you have to keep going. Now I am not saying regardless of what happens you should never take a break, I am saying that regardless of what knocks you down, get back up. Think about boxing, there is a countdown when the person is down before they consider them a loss, they give them time and opportunity to get back up and fight again. Get back up, that countdown for you could be a few hours, maybe a day, maybe a year but get back up. Sometimes the current dream isn’t making sense, it has changed or evolved and that’s when you pivot. That’s why you say, how does what I already know help me with what I am trying to learn. Know when to move, not quit.
Lastly, I would say know what you want. You can’t the desires of your heart until you know what they are, get clear and that clarity is defined by you, but you have to know. Sometimes we are so focused on how to get places over where it is we actually want to go. Start with the destinations, the journey is the best part.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Cry.
It sounds crazy but sometimes you just need to cry and release it and you will feel so much better. If it doesn’t call for tears then I dance, or I go for a walk, or I scream in my car with all the windows rolled up. What helps me get whatever is going on out and in a manner that isn’t harmful to myself or anyone else.
Sometimes, it’s a phone call to a trusted person where they just listen and I rant.
Be human, feel it, process it, transform it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brainflowerstudios.com
- Instagram: @loveyaasameenxo/@brainflowerstudios
- Youtube: @Brain Flower Studios
Image Credits
@KaspherPhotography1 – TJ
@Loveyaasameenxo – Yaasameen
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
