Inspiring Lives With Darel Dawson of Grindstone Universal
Written By : Samantha Cee
For our next Inspiring lives we bring you innovative clothing line that is acquiring international recognition .With this brand conveying such a cosmic message we knew we had to make him our Inspiring lives Feature . We bring you Grindstone Universal owner Darel Dawson . Grindstone Universal has been bringing diversity to the fashion market with designs that journey from the past to the future, recognize culture, and uplift the imagination for almost 20 years. Artistically driven and cultivated in the street, an unwavering standard of quality is synonymous with the name. Grindstone uses a fusion of high fashion and functionality along with the most innovative technologies in apparel manufacturing to make you feel great while looking supreme. Take a look at our exclusive interview with the mogul in the making ..
Images Provided ByShariat PR
Social Media Accounts + Website of Grindstone Universal:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grindstoneuniversal/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/grind_stone/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grind_stone/
Website: http://grindstoneuniversal.com/
Fashion Gxd Magazine : How did the idea for your business come about?
Darel Dawson: The idea for my business, Grindstone Universal, came about when I realized that I was not getting properly compensated at the job where I was working. I had the urge to control my own destiny and I was tired of lying to my boss and myself about how much I enjoyed my employment. I had no previous desire to assume the responsibilities of an entrepreneur until one day I was driving home from work and I suddenly believed in myself. It was a moment when my idea aligned with a practical business plan that I knew I could carry out. I went home, announced it to my housemates, and never looked back.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : How do you find people to bring into your organization that truly care about the organization the way you do?
Darel Dawson: I will never assume that anyone cares about my business the way that I do. I find people who care about what they do, and I place them in my areas of need. The best way to build a good alliance is to allow someone to be an expert in their area of expertise as it pertains to the businesses' needs. People feel fulfilled when they contribute and their good work is acknowledged.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : What three pieces of advice would you give to college students who want to become entrepreneurs?
Darel Dawson: In planning to work for yourself in college, you should befriend future accountants and lawyers; you should attend the national trade shows for whatever business field that you'll be entering; and as a college student you should intern for the most successful person who is doing what you'd like to do.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Darel Dawson: If I had a chance to start my career over again, I would have lawyers and accountants who I would have regularly scheduled monthly meetings with. There are many business fundamentals that I learned on the job that I could've learned earlier with adequate counsel.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Darel Dawson: To be successful, one must have the ability to remain focused and passionate about their mission. One must be disciplined enough to do the unpopular gritty things that keep their company moving forward. Lastly, one must be able to humbly assess and correct themselves as a leader and delegator.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : What have been some of your failures, and what have you learned from them?
Darel Dawson: Some of my main failures involved my lack of focus on the schedule that I created for myself. What may seem like lulls in business or time, are actually periods that grant you the opportunity to build and improve. I have learned that there is no time that should not be accounted for.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : How many hours do you work a day on average?
Darel Dawson: On average, I do NOT work for about 4 hours a day. Otherwise, I AM working.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : Describe/outline your typical day?
Darel Dawson: My day begins with meditation and then I head to the gym or the pool to exercise. Around 10AM, I'm showered and I check emails or begin drawing (designing). On a perfect day, I can create uninterrupted until the afternoon. On the average day, I'm on What's App dealing with manufacturers, or I am planning my next trade-show or event set up. I have never counted, but I probably have approximately 10 business calls daily regarding production, sales, collaborations, and/or marketing. I control what I can control, but answering the demands of many does not allow my daily schedule to be rigid. As long as I get at least 5 hours of artistic creation logged in daily, I am pleased.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
Darel Dawson: My family life has been blessed with security from my life as an entrepreneur, but I have also been preoccupied with my business at times when my family and I wish that I could just relax. At the end of it all, my business is my surrogate family, my purpose, and my hobby. An entrepreneur's family has to respect the consuming nature of business as they would understand it in any other career. It took a while for certain people to accept, but the rigorous hours are an entrepreneur's painful reality.
