Do You Fall For The Media Hype?

Photo Cred: QREV Production

In the last 10 years social media has been on a take over. It is a chance for people to network, reconnect, have a platform and reinvent themselves. Some people have a total alter-ego on their pages. Makeup, weaves, contouring, waist trainers and more! Your page is a place where you can sprinkle glitter and make your life shine more than your reality. This has viewers hooked onto the fabulously seeming lives of the beautiful faces they follow. Though I am all for creativity and one using their page however they see fit (as long as they are not doing anything to harm others or themselves), I can't help but to notice the real life influence social media has using the unrealistic life of it's popular members.

For example... You're scrolling through your timeline and there she is, that celebrity you adore. She's so pretty, you love her personality, if you could look like her you would but since you can't you click the link of the current product she's promoting. You know the one she swears she's always used to help her look the way she does? Some tea that helps keep her tummy flat, weave that magically never tangles, or maybe a bracelet that she says she wears with every outfit. It doesn't really matter what it is. All that matters is her name is attached to it. So you buy it hoping it will bring you one step closer to being as fabulous as her. And you're excited to use it until... next month you see she promoting something new. Another "must have" in your mind. And the cycle continues.

How do I even know about this cycle? I used to be a mindless link clicker. Sometimes I'd buy whatever it is that pretty face is selling (confession, my weakness was Draya), other times I'd have a reality check and back away from my computer. Since I often question all my actions, one day I asked myself, does she even use that really? The business woman bulb suddenly went on and I realized more times than not the celebrities, Instagram stars, and YouTube pioneers promoting all kinds of products don't really use them. They are being paid to pretend or paid to use them for a certain contracted period by companies who know their followers will bite the bait every time without fail.

Most of the times these companies paying your favorite celeb a few thousand dollars are already well on their way to being a multi-million dollar company while you, the consumer, are pulling together all your coins to buy $45.00 flat tummy tea... TEA (side eye).

I say all of this to remind you to not set your standards via social media personalities or any standard media sets for that matter. Your value, your worth, your beauty is not determined by a product and products are not better quality because a pretty face's name is stamped on it for the moment. I am not telling you not to shop your favorite products or to stop following your favorite celebrity. I just want to make sure you are aware of the cycle you may be in so you can make conscious decisions moving forward without the influence of those you adore.

Now before I click that link I ponder on where my money is going and who I am supporting. Am I helping a small business or black owned business put food on the table for their family? Is a percentage from the proceeds of my purchase going to a worthy cause? Or am I giving a part of my check to a multi-millionaire that doesn't really need my coin? Questions you should ask yourself next time you're scrolling and see that brand new thing.

Black Owned Spotlight: Grandslammer$ Inc by Chris Blackwood

I was scrolling through my timeline when one of my friends shared a photo of one of the coolest sweatshirts I've ever seen. A young woman wearing a white sweatshirt with a huge sparkly gold seal in the center. It immediately pulled me in and I had to know where she got it from. It took me about 5 seconds to discover Grandslammer$, a black owned business located in our northern neighbor, Canada.

After looking at their numerous apparel selections, I decided to get the very sweatshirt that initially caught my attention. Pricing was decent (Remember the US Dollar is currently higher which will translate at checkout), plus I'm always searching for coupon codes and I managed to snag one upon check out.

Once I received it I fell in LOVE. Even more eye catching in person, I wore it out the next day I received it. Material is quality and super comfy. The attractive glitter logo makes it more versatile to wear with sneakers or heels. I can't begin to count the amount of people that asked me where I got this awesome find! I had to learn more about the man behind the sparkle so I reached out and what I found out made me appreciate it even more. Check out his personal interview with me below and EXCLUSIVE TO MY READERS! ENJOY 15% OFF YOUR VERY OWN GRANDSLAMMER$ GEAR! DIRECTIONS TO GET THE CODE AT THE END OF THIS INTERVIEW!

Name: Chris Blackwood
Age: 34
Brand Name: Grandslammer$

When did you start creating your apparel line? 

We started the clothing line 3 years ago. My younger brother Jason Blackwood, Co Founder of Grandslammer$, and I began this journey in the community of Jane and Finch which is located in Toronto, Canada. 

Where does your artistic influence come from?

The artistic influence for our Grandslammer$ logo and our various editions come from My younger brother Jason. This Granslammer$ journey was all started from my younger brother's vision. 

What is the concept behind your brand?  Grandslammer$ is a Canadian urban clothing line that symbolizes hard work, determination, achieving your goals, Grinding for yours, and never giving up. Grandslammer$ is a lifestyle. Individuals, around the world, that are working hard to achieve their personal goals everyday is a Grandslammer$. Our logo is a clock, with the word GRIND in it, meaning that every second, minute, and hour you have to GRIND in order to achieve your personal goals.

What do you hope to accomplish with your brand?

What we hope to accomplish with Grandslammer$ is to be recognized as a credible Canadian clothing line, just like ROOTS. We also hope to have expand from our online store to an actual store front. We want to inspire other young people and young entrepreneurs coming from "at risk" communities, that we grew up in, to follow their dreams and GRIND for it. 

What inspired your logo? And the glitter effect? 

What inspired our logo was my younger brother's vision of "GRINDING for yours "as soon as you wake up. As you can see, our logo has a clock and it says GRIND. That's why our motto is "Support the BRAND that supports your GRIND ". Our "Glitter Effect" symbolizes the hard work that an individual is putting into achieving his or her personal goals. You have to GRIND to SHINE. The glitter adds a special feeling to our pieces when it's being worn. If you don't wear jewelry, our shirts our the perfect accessory. The feedback for the glitter has been humbling because all of our customers love there way it looks and makes them feel.

How do you describe your fashions and style?

I describe my fashion style as a simple, clean, and loud at the same time. I can wear our Grandslammer$ Brand in any setting (at home, at work, at special events, and in the club). 

How did you develop your interest in an apparel line? 

Coming from our community, which is considered a "hood" you have to always be on point and look fresh. You always have to make sure that your shoes match your shirt, your pants complement your shirt and shoes, and your hat compliments everything else. We use to wear all the name brand clothing lines but then we realized that we could do the same thing. So my brother came up with the Grandslammer$ concept and that's all I've been wearing ever since. The feedback has been humbling on all levels.

What is your favorite item in your collection?

Picking a favorite item is like choosing who is my very child. I honestly love them all. Every last piece, in our collection, is a personal favorite of mine.

What do you hope for your business in the future?

We hope to be Nationally recognized as a credible urban clothing line. Also, have a few store fronts around Canada and North America

What is the biggest challenge being a black business owner?

Being taken seriously from clothing manufacturers and the general public is our biggest challenge by I strongly believe that, due to our work ethic, we are slowly getting their attention.

What advice do you have other aspiring business owners?

Believe in your brand no matter what. Stay consistent with marketing your brand. Utilize social media to market your brand. Last but not least, create a team of individuals that believe in your brand as much as you do.

ENJOY 15% OFF YOUR GRANDSLAMMER$ APPAREL! CLICK HERE TO GRAB THE CODE!

#SUPPORTBLACKOWNED
#BLACKOWNEDBUSINESS
#REVIVEBLACKWALLSTREET

Update: NEW Season NEW Arrivals! ShopGesphania.com

It's been about 3 months since my self titled fashion website was launched (insert happy dance here). I have been a busy bee since then connecting with vendors, scheduling photo shoots and just learning along the way. With the fall/winter season here I have just added some new items!

During this season I like to dress a little darker. Solid dark blazers are my go-to add on. I've added both Navy and Wine blazers to the collection. You can rock them with jeans and a simple tee, add flair to your business attire over a black blouse and slacks, or throw it over a mini dress for a night on the town.

Following my collection, you will soon notice my love of jumpsuits. I choose a Jumpsuit when I don't feel like figuring out what top should go with what bottom. It's a complete outfit in itself and all I have to focus on is what shoes to wear with it. There will always be one or two jumpsuits in each season. My new jumpsuit love is the Bond Jumpsuit. What pulled me in was the one side lapel! Gives that "I'm holding a blazer over one shoulder look but I'm so not". Fits in all the right places! I don't see this jumpsuit staying available for long. I'm already selling out of some sizes.

I think my favorite add of this season's collection are the Ora Dresses. Comes in three colors: Wine, Nude, and Black. I love the fit and solid material. Two elements of this dress pulled me in. The first is the Front & Back Half-Wrap Overlay. In my transformation from being a skinny mini to "Slim Thick", I have acquired a new ASSet (pun intended), my booty. Some dresses make it look too accentuated so the Half Wrap tones it down but still gives that slight sexy appeal.

There will be more styles to come! With winter approaching we will be entering the season of SPARKLE so look forward to that soon!

As always thank you for taking the time to read and make sure to show me some LOVE in the comments section and on my LOVE WALL (<---click there) on my fashion site (I'm kind of bummed cause I moved the wall to a different section and didn't know that would delete ALL the previous comments... :( !... BUT nonetheless I appreciate all the encouragement I've been shown thus far! It means so much!

Dream Big
♥ Gesphania