We recently connected with Shaquita Garcia and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Shaquita , thank you so much for agreeing to open up about a sensitive and personal topic like being fired or laid-off. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in layoffs recently and so your insight and experience with overcoming being let go is relevant to so many in the community.
The layoff from a job came at a critical time when I was at a crossroads between living or dying. The job I worked, refused to call me by my government name (Shaquita) because they believed it was too “ghetto”. I had worked for this company under an assumed nickname and the toxicity nearly killed me and I didn’t even recognize it. I was epileptic at that time and was having more seizures than I ever had in my entire life. While my layoff wasn’t warranted, because I was great worker, but it was my opportunity TO LIVE. That’s when I chose to start my own fashion brand. I overcame by essentially starting to find who I was and my voice in a cut throat industry.
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?
The name of my brand is AART NYC. I design street wear including clothing, and hats. I also own a nonprofit called Modern Housewives Co, where I pour into the mental health and wellness of moms, through a podcast and events service. I allow moms the opportunity to openly and honestly express their truth about their journey through motherhood and raising a business.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Authenticity rules my world. There is not a room I will enter if I cannot enter as myself.
Perseverance is at the heart of everything. We cannot ever control the cards that we are dealt in any situation, whether it’s through business or parenting, but it’s how we rise to the occasion and push through the tough times is what produces great results.
Tenacity is has helped me tremendously along the way. I’m not afraid to get the job done and work hard.
My advice would be to simply Dream BIG! Whatever you feel you want to do, have the audacity to take up space. Because we all deserve to live the life we want if we’re working hard for it.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
My biggest area of growth in the past 12 months would be my self awareness. Understanding what I can improve on in the moment and in the long run. Not saying “I can’t” or “it can’t be done”. I have adopted a mindset that if someone says no, then I keep trying until someone says yes. Because I would never want to regret not trying something, so instead I try everything. And eventually something works itself out or someone says yes. Having the self awareness to learn from my mistakes, own, it and change has been an essential part of my growth the past 12 months.
Contact Info:
- Website: aartnyc.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/theemodernhousewifeny
