An Inspired Chat with Cali Shabazz of Jenkintown Pa

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Cali Shabazz. Check out our conversation below.

Cali, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The moment I open my eyes I thank God for the day. I open my Bible and read a verse of the day as well as 3 chapters I’m working on reading the Bible in a full year I started on Christmas of last year.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Cali I call myself the “Chief rad girl” of Dear Laney Co. I am a contemporary bohemian women’s wear designer based out of Philadelphia and we are the raddest girls on the planet! I started my brain in 2014 and it has evolved into something much bigger than me. I always stuck with the mantra hobbies become careers and this year. My hobby truly have became my career and this is a 11 years in the making.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I would have to say my mother. My mom is truly an inspiration because back when I was growing up. I’m a millennial so parents are pretty much old school. My mom was the total opposite. She grew up in a very strict home so she allowed me to express myself creatively through my art. I’ve always been the weird quirky girl in school. I would literally go to school late just so people can see my outfit and they would talk about me and I didn’t care because I had so much confidence because my mom instilled that within me. She she’s always told me that I could do anything and as a kid I didn’t really think I could. I was still really shy and timid, but I’d love to put on fashion shows and dress up my cousin and my siblings and perform for my family I didn’t think it would go far because I was so shy, but my mom seen that in me and she would tell me to go after anything that I’ve mentioned and inquired about.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
That everything will be OK. You don’t have to be perfect you don’t have to have the perfect family or clothes or to be popular. It’s OK to be unique that’s what makes you yell. That’s what makes you memorable. You are a superstar in your own right and don’t ever let anybody tell you differently.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
No. My persona is for entertainment. I am too shy to be myself so I created this persona that I am able to put on kind of like an armor to go on day by day. The real me is still very shy and like to stay to myself.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
When I’m home with my family or by the waterfront. It cures any bad day bad blues any stresses

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Ryan Powell

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