Here is my success story: [Simple and short.] Grade school. Age 9, already had the idea of college and career. Bullied people. Bullied back -- karma. Gifted Arts Program in Hammond 5th Grade. Won 1st Place in Tangipahoa Parish Fair Poster Contest in the 6th Grade, Mrs. Beverly Williams was my middle school teacher, I found my niche then, I was an arts fanatic, at some point I had an Ego, Thanks Usher Aaliyah dana houghton and Genuwine (Dont Ask), I was a fan. After school program. First big fight 8th grade year, -- expelled still had a high GPA (3.750) -- (Alexis Hookfin was Asst. Principal, she was like a second mom to everyone). I admit, at some point in my life, I did grow up in somewhat a hood, I really do not consider Velma, La much of a hood, just people there with hood ways. What it is like now, I have no clue. Never been back, barely even think about going to Independence much. High School and Classic Upward Bound, ups and downs, cliqued-up (been there done that), eventually, was apart of various organizations and clubs -- just a few: Beta Club, Honors Society, Art Club, Spanish Club, ... too many to name, but president, vice-president, secretary of few. Participated in the Grad Chapter OPP Talent Hunt one year. I was a nerd that became popular, won Homecoming King senior year, Won Yearbook contest, won second place in the House of Blues art contest. 2 years prior to senior year, my best friends brother, Issac passed away -- hard to deal with but we eventually did, everything boiled down to priority decision making on goals [long and short] wrote those down..pleted them all before senior year [bucket list], I chosed to go to college, wanted to become an artist, wanted to display my work, found my major before graduating, Fine Arts, thanks to my inspiring art teacher, Mia Marshall. My best friend and encourager, who was a LSU Rhoer -- she had intentions on college, pledgeship, and a career, Alexis passed away, senior year. Graduated with High Honors at number 5 of my class -- Upward Bound scholarship, and all that good stuff. College, -- Downfall was no African American Art classes, changed major to Fashion Merchandising, that only thing I could think of to still do art AND design, minor in Psychology, worked with various organizations, was in SGA, found my other niche because a graphic designer wanted to charge me $75 for my flyer for my 21st Birthday because Trey Songz was a guest of my party -- resulted into creating my own flyer which was poo at first, took a 2D and 3D design class, registered with Adobe, became a paid Adobe tester, and started my graphic design business Sophomore year (2009), Bright Idea Designz (with the Z) -- during this time I founded an organization, modeling of course -- was on campus for 3 years, the success rate was nice, weary at the beginning, it eventually flopped, left the second year of those three. Went full-time with my graphic design business, re-branded and became BIDGraphics in 2011. Done a few projects here and there, some confidential some not. Went to convention, presented my portfolio in 2012 -- named state graphic designer, next year - presented at nationals with other national graphic design nerds like myself, won one of the contest, named national [didnt matter at some point because I was too humble to boast about it then], interned for Express Magazine in Baton Rouge, worked with a few ministries and churches here and there, (gave too much of myself and wasnt getting my worth), moved to New Orleans for a minute, worked a 9-to-5 -- somewhat the worst decision I ever made but I needed the money, networked with Monique McCray, became marketing director for a church that is now not in existence anymore, moved back home, worked for another, not in existence anymore -- which by the way,...no comment. SMDH. When will they learn? lol By any means necessary. I can kind of laugh at it now. Then, during that time Monique and I had visions, all long-term visions, now here we both are with a Gift, a talent, more visions, and a company launched with my COO, best friend, sister, and PNC. Now we have administration, interns and employees here and there that all work extremely hard and I most definitely would like to just take a day or a whole month to a year to acknowledge them and etc., well, I found a way, infact more than one way, and help enhance them in their field of career. A My-Success Story turned into an Our-Success Story because truly, it wont always be about me. Im grateful. Im humble. Long-term goals determined my future and I made it. I just only have one last goal and that is to finish school and walk that stage with my degree in my hands then continue with my company.
Posted on: Tue, 27 May 2014 04:50:59 +0000