We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Blight Hernandez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Blight , so great to have you on the platform. There’s so much we want to ask you, but let’s start with the topic of self-care. Do you do anything for self-care and if so, do you think it’s had a meaningful impact on your effectiveness?
My self care starts with the daily affirmations. We must be mindful, for where we put our focus and attention, there it will grow. Being kinder to myself, setting boundaries with others, taking the time aside for rest, listening to my gut and not going against my own grain. Times in nature to reconnect with what’s pure is vital. Having a nice high vibe conversation with a like minded friend. Meditation, sound frequencies, listening to motivational talk’s throughout my day. Grounding and protecting myself when feelings start to feel “off”. If we all listen to the inner voice/feeling and take a step back from reality, we gain broader insight to all around us. Since I have practiced mindfulness and meditation, my life within and without has changed drastically. I no longer wonder, I know. Answers are inside, I don’t have to search for anything, I know I am capable of manifesting all I want in this life. It starts with our thoughts. Our beliefs then alter our visual reality. We are powerful beings and when we are tapped into our power that we generate ourselves then you kinda become unstoppable.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I create in all forms. Painting, digital design, fashion design, seamstress, screen printer. Sometimes it’s hard to give someone a title for what I do. So I always end up saying Creator. My clothing brand Be the Light highlights Duality and higher consciousness thru intricate designs ranging from vivid, spiritual symbols, abstract motifs, grungey religious juxtapose re-creations to thought-provoking messages that resonate with the soul. The garments i print on range from 1930-current fashion. I really enjoy repurposing, recycling, and revamping things with my own flare to give it new life. And what comes out the other end is like Vintage goth Conscious streetwear. I like when opposites collide, it invites diverse eyes and seems to demolish a standard for appreciation, which is very refreshing to experience first hand. I am constantly creating, so daily you can see new drops to my Instagram @stay_within as well as Local Pop ups in the Metro Detroit area. For everyone beyond, discover the pieces on my website www.bethelight222.com.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Honestly, every piece of my life has guided me to do what I do now. I’ve had more jobs than anyone I know, for years I didn’t know where life was taking me. I was too busy working for someone else’s dream to realize that I could really create my own. I was a seamstress and had two other jobs working embroidery machines, I screen printed mugs and glassware, I worked in shipping and handling in countless warehouses, and the list goes on. Because of that I had an understanding of screen printing in general and the process that goes along with. It’s actually harder to screen print mugs than T-shirts, now I have my own print studio where i make my art wearable. 10 years ago when I was an industrial seamstress, I learned the basics on a 130 year old sewing machine. So when I picked up the sewing machine last year to give another element to my brand first hand, it was almost like riding a bike. And YouTube is everything! 😉 I do a lot of online orders and work face-to-face in the community, so packaging and handling/customer service skills come in handy. we have to like what we do at the end of the day because we end up working quite a lot in our lifetime so I tell people to just a line themselves with what they love/like even if it its working for someone else and not having your own business. Try to look at everything like a meaningful Experience, you never know when you’re gonna need that knowledge in the future and you never know how things lineup.. you don’t have to go to Art/design school to do it! Create from your heart n soul! And Believe in yourself!
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal customers are the ones who get the message/mission thru my Art/symbolism beyond the actually piece of clothing aesthetically. When people know the Gods/Goddesses and the spiritual history of the images i recreate. When I connect on an inter dimensional level with a “stranger” in person while they shop. Those experiences give me life, goosebumps and new friendships that I value. The Light is a vibe, it’s more than a clothing brand and when that’s felt, I am touched beyond measures.
People can find Be the Light Clothing in 5 different locations: Luckenbooth Detroit, Not sorry Goods, Old Soul Vintage, DarkLight, and Dancing eye Gallery.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.bethelight222.com
- Instagram: @stay_within
- Facebook: @stay_within
Image Credits
First photo: Blight Hernandez at SW Fest 2023 Second photo: The lovely and oh so talented Racquel Soledad rocking a 1 of 1 balaclava. Third photo: Pop up shop at Techtown Detroit 4th photo: Musician and Co Owner of the Old Soul Vintage. A Detroit gem on Cass Ave. You can find BTL 1 of 1 pieces there too! 5th & 6th photo: Sal Manella the great rocking a 1 of 1 balaclava
