Fashion Gxd Magazine presents " Shampoo Papi" CEO" for Entrepreneur Cover Revel
Written By Samantha Cee
FGM: Its an honor to sit down with you all . Tell us a little about your brand and how you've come to this vastly successful peek in your career .
Answer: Its crazy, the power of social media is real. I legit woke up one day as Shampoo Papi. In a short time, my name and brand reached across the US, and multiple counties around the world. I began detailing cars via social media and literally just being me making crazy, hilarious and entertaining videos caught like wildfire. Once I saw that I could not only do a great job at satisfying people with detailing their cars, I saw that I could turn this into a business for myself. Its crazy because in my logo, I am wearing a du rag. A big risk I took with that, but what an amazing symbol that it stood for men of color who wear du rags still can run business for themselves.
FGM: Who are the clients/what are the projects that you most enjoy working on?
Answer: I’ve been detailing cars for many clients with the most entertaining videos you’ll ever see at a car wash lol. I love the beauty and appearance of cars and making them look like magic. Providing that ownership back into the vehicles gives me a high out of this world. But hey listen, Shampoo Papi wants to do it all. Shampoo Papi is ready to take on the entertainment industry, hey man I want to get into fashion, music, and art. Im a jack of all trades, Im ready to do it all.
FGM: How do you feel you make a difference in the world?
Answer: I make a difference in this world because there are entirely to many people in this world for me to only think of myself. Im constantly giving, it never ends. Back when I was a kid in grade school, my mom would give me $5 every day for lunch. And everyday I would buy someone else food, I remember my mom being so angry but proud of me. I would pack so many snacks and bring them to school and give them to anyone who was hungry. I was only 7 at the time, I was raised right. I owe that to my mother. Ive been unemployed for quite some time now, and during my unemployment I initiated a back to school drive for MESA Charter High School and chose one lucky teacher from the school to sponsor. I raised $500 via Instagram and bought a bunch of school supplies for those kids. Its in my blood, to be a philanthropist. One day Ill sponsor foundations and local charities to fight hunger, open a barbershop and provide free hair-cuts for the homeless. Provide dental and medical services for the international kids. I know one thing, I thank god with the shit I’ve been through I’m happy my life struggles never killed the innocence and pure love I have for people.
FGM: Tell us about a time when you showed determination to continue as an entrepreneur
Answer: I failed my last semester of school and I then decided that I no longer wanted to clock in at a job that would not bring me the success that I desired. So I quit, in the middle of paying for a wedding, with bills piling out, I took the biggest leap in my life and started my own business. I don’t regret it one bit, although I am not nearly where I want to be. I know Ill make it happen some day. Even during my business, I remember everything from my car insurance, phone, cable car note etc. were all getting canceled one by one. I used to get up from the couch and open up the fridge 10-15 times hoping and praying that food would magically appear. It never did. But I keep pushing. It didn’t matter to me, I went out there I scrubbed peoples toilets, cleaned there cars, ran errands, I did everything that was legal to pay my bills. Im still here, and Im gonna keep going. I haven’t even touched the surface with the amount of success my heart desires.
FGM: Give me the three best qualities of your brand
Answer: I get to do what I love the most, I get to make people laugh. I get to just be me. I enjoy just being crazy and letting loose. I’ve always been a free spirit, class clown. And absolute mess. But I truly love bringing people joy. That’s what The Shampoo Papi experience is all about. That’s the best part about being Shampoo Papi. I have freedom to be who I want without having to worry about who will say what about me. I think that’s why so many people gravitate towards my brand. I’m unapologetic, and I don’t hide who I am. I have so many supporters around the world, and I enjoy bringing them along the journey with me. Even when I fail, lose or struggle I make that clear, that’s what keeps me and my supporters close. I don’t have to act like I’m winning or create the persona that I have it all. I just get to be me.
FGM: Give me an example of when you worked irregular hours?
Answer:
FGM: Being a entrepreneur is a 24/7 job, how did you get ready for that?
Answer: I’ve been an entrepreneur my entire life. I’ve always been gifted with people skills, charisma and confidence. I was always on some sort of journey of trying to fix a problem, and add better value to it. That’s what natural entrepreneurs do. I never in my life “conformed” to the idea of having to work for anyone, which is why I spent majority of my life job hopping, dropping out of school, failing every class and never was able to be consistent with the traditional “Go to school, get a job” life. Which by the way, there’s nothing wrong with working a 9-5, I just want to make my own dreams come true. And that won’t happen if I sell 40 hours of my time each week to an already established company. Hey, Ill take the risk and spend 24/7 making my own dreams, goals and accomplishments come true.
FGM: How did you acquire the ability to work under pressure to beat meet deadlines as a entrepreneur ?
Answer:
I just persevere. I don’t make any excuses and I don’t feel sorry for myself. When business calls, I run. 9 times out of 10 I am the last one to go to bed, and the first one up in the morning. I’m so proactive with my work and everything I do because if I can avoid pressure, I take advantage of being able to enjoy the peace of mind while working so that when pressure does arise I don’t have one million other things running through my mind. I mean, delegating can be helpful, but certain projects and things I just need to do myself. Time management is only half the battle when you need to meet deadlines but organizing and prioritizing your time is what helps me.
FGM: What is your favorite inspirational point, place, to develop new brand developments?
Answer: Im weird, I usually get these random bursts of inspiration. I can be in the grocery store and come up with a crazy new idea and I run with it. I legit have had ideas wake me up in the middle of the night and I begin working on them immediately. I will say, during the summers I love going to the beach by myself, I feel as though that’s when I am the closest to the universe. It gives me that clarity of clearing my head so I can make sense of all of things I want to accomplish.
FGM: Which current public figure, are you inspired by or appreciate the most?
Answer:
Tyler Perry is a huge inspiration of mine. I mean, his story alone and his perseverance to make it makes me want to go harder in my own craft. He’s a man that never had his hand out, he made opportunities for himself. I truly respect that, from being homeless to building his very own Hollywood Studios in ATL providing people opportunities from all backgrounds is my goal in life. What I enjoy mostly about Tyler Perry is that he doesn’t sing a sad song, he embraces what he’s been through and instead of using his platform to remind people of what he’s been through, he allows others to tell their story. The man is without a doubt selfless, and incredibly successful. I can only aspire to be a quarter of who he is and achieve what he has accomplished. He definitely deserves more credit.
How do you handle stress ?
I’m still figuring that out, I mean I have my days where I need to isolate myself, no phone, no human contact I just need to shut down and spiritually recharge myself again. If my spirit is off, I won’t preform to the best of my abilities. In the moment of stress and I feel the pressure on my back, I have to take a strong look at the situation and assess how am I going to tackle the issue at hand. I have a strong support system that I lean on, so times during stress. I’m never alone. I’m forever grateful that I have more people than less that I can turn to in times of need.
Answer:
FGM: What are the three qualities you feel an entrepreneur must have ?
Answer: 1. Every entrepreneur needs to be a leader in their own lane. Doesn’t matter the size of your industry, if your out there waiting on someone to give you an opportunity, you’ll be waiting forever. The goal is be your own boss, and then provide opportunities for others. I myself, don’t ask for permission. I set a goal for myself and I execute. As entrepreneurs you need to know your industry, find a problem and fix it. Entrepreneurs are constantly creating and innovating. There is no space in between. 2. Having thick skin is a vital quality you need in the game, understand hearing “No” doesn’t mean you stop, or you have failed, it means make everyone who ever said no regret it. Go harder, you’ll be surprised how many times we hear “no” and end up somewhere else in life looking back saying I wouldn’t be where I am today without it. Trust the process, just think. If you only hear “no” or “you failed” once or twice in your life, compared to someone who hears those words 200 times there level of hunger and vision of success will be greater than someone who hears the word no once and gives up. 3. Authenticity is major. You are the face of your brand, and its important that you stay true to it. There’s no reason to be or act like something you aren’t. Being authentic is what sets you apart from the others.
FGM: Where do you see your business in 10 years? How do you plan to get there ?
Answer: Man, in 10 years. I plan on having Shampoo Papi as a franchise. With everything from Shampoo Papi (Shampoo & Conditioner) Shampoo Papi-Cologne, Sneaker Cleaning Line, Car Washes, Home Cleaning Services. I want to make Shampoo Papi a life style. I want to provide generational wealth for my family, a build a legacy that will last long after I am gone. Im committed to my dreams, and although I don’t have a fancy 5-10 year plan, I do have tangible and realistic goals that I intend on accomplishing that will essentially bring me exactly where I want to be in life. Free to do what I want, when I want, and how I want. Doing exactly what it is that I love to do.
FGM: It was a pleasure speaking with you thank you for joining us
