Inspiring Lives with "Chocolate Ancestor" for Fashion Gxd Magazine
Written by Samantha Cee
Chocolate Ancestor is an online apparel and accessories shop that brings meaning, symbolism, and self-expression into fashion. Started by a pair of sisters, Latoya Long and Shametrius Long, who are passionate about making life meaningful and bringing positivity for others, Chocolate Ancestor is a brand that communicates their values and positive viewpoints. We are all about creating products that have a message to share with the world, that promote love and peace, and that educate, express, and enunciate the importance of humanity, community, and spirituality. We believe in today’s times there is so much negativity that we all need to focus on bringing more and more positivity into the world. Even someone wearing a shirt with an inspiring message can make a difference. Take a look at our exclusive interview with the rising Brand " Chocolate Ancestor"
IG @chocolateancestor, Twitter: @chocolateancest, FB:Chocolateancestor www.chocolateancestor.com
Fashion Gxd Magazine : How did the idea for your business come about?
Chocolate Ancestor: Well, I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit and I've always been known for being outspoken, so sometimes some things I say people would tell me "that would be good on a shirt," but I never relished on that idea, until recently; I have a friend who has a online store as well and he would ask me for ideas. Some of my ideas didn't quite match with his niche, but of course, I began to think "hmmm, if I can come up with ideas for him, surely I could come up with my own thing," but again, I left it as a thought. Since I am a believer in signs, I saw the shopify advertisements a few times and I finally thought, "maybe I should look into this shopify thing, I keep seeing it on facebook and google". Although I began to look into shopify, I still didn't have an idea of what I would sell, until my sister and I participated in the NAACP March for Justice in Downtown Atlanta, July 8, 2016 after the Alton Sterling & Philando Castile shootings. We were creating our signs and I began to come up with so many different sayings and things I wanted to express, but I was limited to just the front and back. So I wrote my other ideas down and finally decided that I would create products with positive messages. Although I used social media to express how I was feeling, I knew that by creating products with these messages then maybe, just maybe, we can help change certain outlooks and encourage self love, love for one another, love for the black dollar and black owned businesses.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : How do you find people to bring into your organization that truly care about the organization the way you do?
Chocolate Ancestor: Currently, it is only my sister and myself. I contract for different services.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : What three pieces of advice would you give to other children who want to become entrepreneurs?
Chocolate Ancestor: If you have an idea research the industry and what it would take. Don't be afraid. After you've researche it and decided that's what you want to do...DO IT!
Fashion Gxd Magazine :If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Chocolate Ancestor: I don't think I would do anything differently, things fell into place at the right times so far.
Fashion Gxd Magazine :What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur ?
Chocolate Ancestor: Persistence. You have to be a self starter. You can't sit around waiting for others to push you into your own dreams.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : How many hours do you work a day on average?
Chocolate Ancestor: 12-13 hours, including my full-time job and coming home to work on my business.
Fashion Gxd Magazine :Describe/outline your typical day?
Chocolate Ancestor: I go to work at my full-time, sometimes work on a few Chocolate Ancestor things there, come home and handle behind the scenes things here. On Sundays I made that my personal development days when I'm self learning, researching and possibly adding more items.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
Chocolate Ancestor : IT hasn't really changed too much, my family has been extremely supportive.
Fashion Gxd Magazine :What motivates you?
Chocolate Ancestor: Definitely my family and friends, everyone love to send me messages and tag me in posts telling me how much they love my products & what I'm doing and how they believe I'll be the first millionaire they know lol.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: How do you generate new ideas?
Chocolate Ancestor: Staying in tune with the news, new sayings, history, quotes.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
Chocolate Ancestor: Definitely time and money.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : Where you see yourself and your business in 10 years? 20 years?
Chocolate Ancestor: I see Chocolate Ancestor as a household name in the African American community. A couple of storefronts in different locations.
