Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rasheeda Gerald. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Rasheeda, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
I had a great friend tell me once, ” focus on your mental health first”. We were talking about how if your mental is healthy then you can navigate through the workplace, relationships, friendships and even starting a business. That’s exactly what I did and do. I don’t wait for the time to be “right; or wait until I have the funds. I focus on the things that help me be healthy physically, mentally and emotionally. Don’t get me wrong, I sometimes simply don’t feel like it. But I have to reassure myself that, these are the things that I personally have to do to ensure I won’t have any type of creative block. Marinating a set schedule to work out or be physical, setting time to maintain my spiritual relationship with God as well as spending time in nature in particular large bodies of water. Ultimately, it brings me peace and joy so I would be doing a disservice to myself and my business if I don’t take the time to prioritize these things.
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 Rasheeda Gerald. I was born in Panama. The country not the city as I often correct. I tend to remind everyone at any point. Where I am from, and my culture is very important to me. It’s a part of me that I hold on to no matter how far I am from home. I started Fuego by RBG in 2019 without a clear vision as a form of self-expression. I just knew I wanted to focus on fashion. Poor planning and bad decision making caused me to lose focus on my relationships, my mental health and of course my financials. I put my brand on the back burner for a while but once my “creators block” went away and ideas kept flowing I took off and didn’t want to stop. Sometime last year as a way of therapy I started playing with my sewing machine. It was gifted to me by my mom. I never really had much interest in sewing until the first day I tried it and felt how relaxed and at peace it made me feel. At first learning how to thread and a few other things were frustrating but after getting help from my mom a seamstress on YouTube (Sofia Sew & Pray) it went a lot more smoothly.
I recently came out with Fuego’s Custom Denim Bathing Suits. Each bathing suit is customized with denim fabric. Each piece is made considering denims natural weight dry or wet. With an adjustable top and thong-style bottoms you are sure to make a statement and stand out. We also offer custom one-piece bathing suits with sizes that go up to XXL.
Releasing this last idea “The Blue Print” was very fun! I had amazing diverse models (Alina Quintana, Ziona Mirage and Tyler Barginere) that helped Kayla Fitzegerald the super talented photographer’s vision and mine become reality. Mykell Green did an amazing job capturing behind the scenes footage from the photoshoot that created a lot of brand awareness.
With my pieces I hope to encourage self-awareness, confidence and individuality. These are all things that I sharpened last year when I prioritized my mental health.
This brand is dedicated to my late Grandmother Beatrice Small who’s mental health battles inspired me to soar pass the stigma and stereotypes associated with mental health. At Fuego we ask, “What Sparks Your Flame?” What are the things about you that make you who you are. With Fuego by RBG we hope you find “What Sparks Within” like I was able to.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Setting boundaries, discernment and leading by example. Setting boundaries was extremely important for me. Working with others in any kind of situation can be difficult especially considering different personalities, perspectives and moral compasses. For me it has been important to set clear boundaries in my personal life, in my work environment and my business life in order to properly manage my everyday life. Discernment has been tough but necessary. I used to put a lot of thought into things that I could not control and worst of all let it affect my mood. I put a hard stop on that and practice discernment with all my decisions. Finally leading by example. I read somewhere about how it really starts with you. I started and maintained healthier habits. For example, every morning I drop a small message to my close friends and family members with a message of affirmation, inspiration or encouragement. This helps serve as a reminder to reset and start a new day without worrying about the weight of yesterday. The encouraging messages I receive back also help tremendously to reassure me that I am not alone, and I have loved ones in my corner. This was important for me to start since often I get so busy in my life, my love life or in my business that I may isolate so this serves as a reminder to my family and friends that I am thinking of them before I start my day.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My support system. My mom and dad Sofia and Stephen Slaughter, my sister Randee Nazario, Jerry Harrison Jr., Alina Quintana and Vanessa Fernandez. I had to really sit down and realize I can’t do it all by myself. I have a support system of about 5 or 6 people who have witness several versions of me, wins and losses and definitely progress. They have all intentionally and unintentionally played a huge role in helping me overcome challenges and develop essential skills to keep myself and my business thriving. Those who have supported, purchased, or simply spoke about Fuego by RBG are also the reason I keep going.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fuegobyrbg.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fuego_byrbg
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Fuegobyrbg/100092871327900/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
Kayla Fitzgerald
