SHE TURNED A HOBBY INTO A LIFESTYLE BRAND
Photo courtesy of Bradley A. Murray
For so many creatives who are just starting out, their passion is relegated to being an after-work hobby. The dream of one day ditching the desk job and living solely off of their creativity can feel like just that - a dream. The reality is that there is no one-size-fits all path to monetizing your passion but there are commonalities amongst all the people who have successfully made the crossover. Mix timing with opportunity, a dash of resilience and a healthy dose of risk taking and you'll most likely find yourself living out your dream career. Lauren Ash of Black Girl in Om is a shining example of how all of those elements combined propelled her to where she is today. We chatted with her to find out just how she went from beginner yogi to a nationally recognized lifestyle brand.
Photo courtesy of Zakkiyyah Najeebah
Who is Lauren Ash?
I’m a creative entrepreneur passionate about holistic wellness. Nearly two years ago, I founded Black Girl In Om, a mindful lifestyle brand, a global community, and a tangible platform for an increasingly marginalized audience around the world. We promote holistic wellness and inner-beauty for women of color. We encourage self-care and self-love for our communities. It’s amazing to realize all that has manifested in such a short amount of time: Om, our online publication; our mini-retreats in Chicago, DC, NYC, and Oakland; our podcast; and more!
3 Takeaways:
1. Listen to your inner voice. If you feel stifled, make plans to move on and then put that plan into action.
2. Good things take time.
3. Legal protection is important (every creative person creating amazing content, whether written, visual, or otherwise needs a lawyer). I love Patrice Perkins, creator of Creative Genius Law.
WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO PURSUE YOUR CURRENT CAREER PATH?
When I felt stifled doing anything else BUT [to] pursue it! I quit my 9-to-5 in March 2015, after only nine months of being in a traditional 9-to-5. It’s funny, before that, I was on the job hunt for several months after I earned my master’s degree. I interviewed so much and was the second choice for at least three jobs that I likely would have loved. I look back now and realize that was God telling me that I wasn’t supposed to be on a traditional career path. My mother has always told me that I should work for myself and has always encouraged my creative curiosities. So, once I got a job, I hated it. It was during my 9-to-5 that I decided to do yoga teacher training (yes: I completed an intensive 8-week yoga teacher training program while working a 9-to-5 and also while having a part-time job on the side). And that lit my fire and sparked my journey to manifest Black Girl In Om.
HOW DID YOU GO FROM IDEA TO EXECUTION?
I was pushed by a few friends to meet with Janice Bond, a well-respected cultural curator and arts advocate here in Chicago. While procrastinating on Facebook at my 9-to-5 I saw that she posted about having a free afternoon to meet with a creative who wanted to share an idea and get feedback from her. I messaged her, and snuck out of work for the afternoon. We met in her condo, drank tea, and I admired the beautiful, life-affirming ambiance that she had curated there. I spoke through my ideas - about Black Girl In Om, as well as who I was and why I was so passionate about wellness and holding space for women of color- for a couple of hours, with her simply listening. At the very end she said, “Ok, so when are you going to start?” This was an important question. Note that she didn’t ask, “How much money do you have to start?” or “Do you have a team to start” or “Where’s your space for all this to happen?” No. She instead wanted to see my level of faith in manifesting it regardless of obstacles. She then said that I could use her condo to start guiding weekly yoga sessions and encouraged me that everything would grow organically from there. So I went from idea to execution by trusting myself, taking a leap of faith, and being supported by people like Janice and Zakkiyyah (my creative partner and BGIO Art Director) from the very beginning.
DO YOU HAVE A MENTOR?
Yes! Janice Bond is still a mentor. She has impacted my career by being a valuable support from the very beginning and demonstrating her unwavering trust in my vision. She has also connected me with a number of amazing and authentic individuals in the wellness and beauty industries. She has instilled within me the value of abundance: that abundance, rather than lack, should be a guiding principle in all business interactions and in my own outlook in all projects that I do!
Eric Williams, Founder of The Silver Room, a dynamic space in Chicago, is also a mentor and a dear friend. I learn from his risk-taking, his willingness to embrace a powerful team to make things happen, and his sense of humor. He, like Janice, has also been generous of time, space, and connections. There is no good in being stingy as entrepreneurs, particularly entrepreneurs of color.
Photo courtesy of Zakkiyyah Najeebah
HOW DOES THE CITY YOU LIVE IN INFLUENCE YOUR CREATIVITY?
Warning: all caps alert. CHICAGO IS EVERYTHING in influencing my creativity. I strongly believe that Chicago is the place to be as a young, black creative right now. There is this indescribable pulse of energy and creative renaissance happening in Chicago right now, and even more amazing, is a general willingness and interest in collaboration. Black Girl In Om simply wouldn’t be, if I hadn’t moved to Chicago.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO WANTED TO PURSUE THE SAME CAREER AS YOU?
Being an entrepreneur is simultaneously the most challenging endeavor, and the most rewarding. Only do it if your heart is in it fully and you know that you would do it with just as much fervor for $1k per month or $100k per month.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE PIT AND PEAK OF YOUR WEEK SO FAR? (A LOW AND HIGH MOMENT)
Coming back from vacation and coming back from vacation (ha)!
IN YOUR WORDS, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A "CREATIVE"?
Being aware of, and successful in, how I can use my creativity, intellect, and imagination to create necessary alternative realities for myself and others.
TOP RESOURCES FOR CREATIVES:
Danielle LaPorte’s The Desire Map
Myleik Teele’s My Taught You podcast
Asana (A project organization app)
Mailchimp
A good old fashioned journal (I like Moleskine)
Photo by Zakkiyah Najeebah
FINISH THIS SENTENCE:
I want people to remember me as: passionate, dedicated, and unapologetic!
If I only had 24 more hours to live, I would: spend time conveying my gratitude to everyone who has made an enormous impact on who I am and how I have chosen to live my life.
If I had to choose a theme song to represent me it would be: My summer jam!
Gold by Calid B. featuring Party Noire and Sam Trump
For more on Lauren Ash visit www.blackgirlinom.com