Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alton Shedrick Jr. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Alton, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?
My ability to take risk from learning going to church and learning how to step out on faith and asking God to guide me. It helped me change my mindset and realize that I can’t lose stepping out on faith and taking risks as long as I have God. I don’t have a losing mentality. I’m either going to win or learn but never lose. I would rather step out on faith and take risks to create and live the life that I see for myself than being stuck in the same place in life forever. Taking risks is hard but being stuck in the same place in life is even harder and I refuse to be that person who lives with regret for not doing so.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m a streetwear fashion designer. My brand is called DE’JARD. It gives me the opportunity to be a creative as well as work and connect with other creatives such as Keith Brown (Fashion Model), YaniiVisuals (Photographer/Videographer), Giovanni Croft (Model), WIlloStackz (YouTuber), AyJayTee (TikToker/YouTuber), Ezekiel Udozorh (D1 Basketball Prospect) and Yungeen C3 (Recording Artist). I created my brand after years of buying high end streetwear and designer brands. It gave me the idea to start my own brand where I’m able to create fashionable collections with the same high end quality without charging high end prices. Not everyone can afford designer and a lot of people refuse to pay designer prices who can afford it. That way it’s a win win for everybody.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Knowing how to run and understand business – It’s more than just creating a product and selling it. You have to understand the way money works and how to make it work for you. You have to know who your target customers are and how to market to them. But most importantly you have to be okay with losing money to make money.
2. Knowing that fashion is trendy
– As the seasons change and the years go by, fashion trends are always changing. You have to learn how to adapt to the trends all while being creative so that what you are creating stands out. At times there might be similarities but try to be original as much as possible.
3. Listening to your customers
– Yes it’s good to create what you want but also be mindful of what your customers want. They are the ones who’s shopping with you and wearing your brand. You have to keep them satisfied at all times. Not listening to them and refusing to give them what they want could harm your business. So merge their ideas with your creativity so that both you and the customer are pleased at the same time.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful thing that my parents did for me was support me. Before my dad passed away, he always supported me with whatever it was that I did whether it was basketball, music, barbering and even business. I’m a Jr so that made him even more proud to support. Same with my mom. Whatever I wanted to do, she was there supporting me. And now I have the chance to support her in return by supporting her haircare product line called Zanellie Essentials. Having supportive parents is a huge blessing because not everybody has their parents. Not everyone has the luxury to have supportive parents at that. Some parents are controlling and pick the future of their kids that they want them to live and have. So I’m thankful that I had that luxury of having supportive parents.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dejardworld.com
- Instagram: @1ootunter.aj @dejardworld
- Other: TikTok: @dejardworld
Image Credits
@YaniiVisuals
