Baddies with Business

Graffiti Panda

• BaddieswithBusiness • Season 5 • Episode 91

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Learn more about NAME as she/they navigate life as an entrepreneur! 

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Music By: Tukool Tiff

Connect with Baddies with Business:

Music By: TuKool Tiff


Be Bad. Be Bold. Be A Baddie!

Malliron Hodge:

Hello everyone. Welcome back to another episode of baddies with business. I'm so excited for you all to learn more about this incredible Baddie, who I had the pleasure of meeting last December at the Baddie retreat. I also have some of her products that are sitting around me. So I'm just excited for you all to learn more about her story. So Ashley tell the baddies and community a little bit more about yourself

Ashley Day:

First off, thank you so much for having me. I'm super excited to be on. I am Ashley Day. I am the founder and creative director of all our women's brand, graffiti, Canada. I'm a little bit of background about me. Is that growing up? I always knew that I wanted to do something creative. Whenever I had like school projects, I always. above and beyond on the project. If a project was like about pitchers and research, I will make it colorful. I will do like backgrounds and just extra stuff with it. So I knew I always wanted to do something creative. I just always wasn't sure what it would be. I didn't take my creativity seriously until when I discovered that I could actually draw in a 10th grade. My mom had this bear on the couch during Christmas time, I got bored. And I literally heard a project. I heard the holy spirit told me to draw it. And that was like, okay, I ain't doing nothing else. Let me just do that. I had a sheet of paper and a pen and I literally just sketch it out. And to my surprise, it came out better than I expected that. Okay, let me keep going with this. So eventually my mom started taking out like what is it? Those comics out of the newspapers. And I used to just freehand it and I was just becoming like a self-taught artist. And during this time I actually was watching a lot of projects one way. And I'll say, okay, let me start, try some fascist sketches. And that's how I got more interested into fashion. I took a sewing class during high school that I've really enjoyed. And my mom actually got me, like my first sewing machine in high school. It was a singer and I sewed on that slot machine until I couldn't sew no more. And I was like, okay. I might to go into fashion. So sometime after high school actually enrolled in Meredith College and I graduated with a fashion degree in fashion merchandising and design, and I worked after college I'll work. Even during college, I worked retail jobs, not just saved up. And even after college, I continued to just, work, get experience and just save up money. And when I came the day, I came home from college after finishing. I literally told my mom mom, I think I'm getting ready to start a business. And she was like, okay, cool. Do that. And I literally had my college laptop in front of me and I started writing my business plan and didn't necessarily know what I was going to be, how it was going to go, but I had a prayer and a dream and I was like, that's all I needed. So yeah.

Malliron Hodge:

I love your path. It started with this creative piece, always been creative projects. You said I'm going to go above and beyond. I'm going to do what needs to be done. And then you had this moment where the holy spirit was like, draw that bear. He was like, all right, I'm going to draw this bear. And then that started to spark and bring things up. We have. Connection. So I took a sewing class in college, not in college, in high school. I got my first sewing machine in high school as well. But when you said that, I was like, yes, I was. So in all I was doing curtain, all kinds of stuff. I made the little pouch purses. I love that. We have that connection, but also you just shared your journey with just drawing a bear. It sparked. You love and fashion.

Ashley Day:

Yeah. And I didn't know it was, looking back, I was like, wow, I didn't know how God was going to take that small moment and bring it to full circle to now. So I was like, wow.

Malliron Hodge:

What has been, if you think about your. Creative journey. So before we even get to graffiti panda, like what has been something that you have made or created, or re-imagined in your journey that like brings you the most joy?

Ashley Day:

So of course, a lot of people don't know this, but when I went to Meredith college, my background was actually clothing, construction. So I was making. Long before Graffiti Panda, or really sowing any bags that people actually know me for. So I was really sewing clothes. I was learning how to make, shirts, skirts, pants, blazers, all of that. But I feel like my biggest joy I dunno. I guess all of it, cause it's just, it's always a journey, I always loved having an idea and bring it to life. I do feel like when I got more into my business, it was making bags because I had no experience making bags. I know my bag before and I became a self taught bag designer. And I literally just started looking at YouTube videos just learning. Okay. How do I go about making a bag started trying it out? And I just kept going from there. It just took off. So I think that just learning something new and challenging myself was where it was like, okay. Okay. I know I can do this. I know I can keep going. So that was like a pivotal moment.

Malliron Hodge:

I think just that moment of This is something I'm interested in because it's a challenge. And that being that pivotal moment of I'm going to continue doing this, I want to explore, I'm going to lean into the challenge. I'm going to just dig deeper in that. So thank you so much for just sharing that so I'm getting back to Graffiti Panda. Can you tell us more about where the idea came from. You shared a little bit, but just what was the catalyst and also, what are the products that you offer and what do you do?

Ashley Day:

Okay, so growing up, I think I've always been interested into fashion. Just that creativity of it. Just the styles, just everything about it and just transforming your home. Look I do know that basically like most teenagers when they're young, I really struggled with like my self-esteem and my identity when I was younger. I just didn't feel comfortable in my own skin. I didn't feel like I saw a lot of, dark, skinny women in media or in magazines. And I also struggled a lot with my weight when I was young and my mom really had a hard time shopping. And finding me clothes to actually fit. And the more I got interested in and more involved into fashion, I just knew that I wanted to have a brand one day that really empowered women to be comfortable in their skin. No matter what they look like. Another thing is that I've always loved earrings growing up. We didn't necessarily have a lot of money growing up. So we always had a lot of hand-me-downs and I remember just being so like excited about going to like my mom's like little drifted jewels and things like that. And I was like, oh, I love these earrings. I always used to take them and stuff or whatever. So I've always been interested in that. The farther I got into my business. I knew that I wanted to have a curated collection of unique accessories that you couldn't find anywhere else. But the further that I got into my business, I really focused on hypoallergenic accessories. My accessories are unique. They're colorful, they're bold, but they are also lead and nickel free. I get a lot of customers that be telling me like their horror stories about how a lot of earrings have burned them, have broken them out. So I'm really big on making sure, on healthy on ear health and making sure that they're not only cute, but also you don't have to sacrifice your ear health, being cute and stylish where your earrings another thing is that I knew that I wanted to expand my accessories. And I knew that, it was in the year two of my business. I was like, okay, I need to start really using my design degree and my sewing degree. And I was like, okay, how about I start expanding my accessories? And that was where the idea I'm like, okay, let me incorporate bags. Let me start making bags. That was like year two of my business. And like I said, I was looking at YouTube videos, trying out some ideas. And, I started with clutch bags. I was like, I got that, the hang of it and things like that. And then afterwards I started expanding and I was like, okay, I've gotten clutch bags. I got that design bag now. So I was like, let me try some more things. I started doing makeup bags. Then I started doing tote bags and then. That love just started expanding more with experiment with different fabrics from polyurethane. Fabrics that actually looks like leather is actually upholstery fabric silk fabrics, African fabrics. And then just this recently last year I actually expanded to customize shirts actually using my bag fabrics actually start making graphic shirts and things like that. So it's definitely been a creative journey of just really figuring out things and just really staying true to my brand. But overall, my brand is all about providing women with quality pieces that they love pieces that you know are going to make you feel beautiful. That, and also a big thing is. On each of my earrings, I always have a quote that says accessories do not make you. You make the accessory. You are beautiful because at the end of the day is about how you define your beauty is how you define your style and just empowering women to feel beautiful. And the products that I provide for women. Yeah.

Malliron Hodge:

I'm learning so much because there was a moment where we got to connect at the retreat and I came to the table and I was like, Ashley, I want that that you're like, okay, cool. But I didn't have a chance to like, get to know a little bit more about you. So y'all, this is why this podcast is amazing. I'm not just tooting my own horn, but toot, but also you get to learn more about the baddies and their why and their love behind it. And so I appreciate how you talked about wanting to be in fashion. You're watching. I was about to say America's next top model, Which one

Ashley Day:

I watched that too. I'll ask you. I watched all of it. Like I was, yeah, I was in there. I was in their hard. Yeah. Looking at all of that and just mesmerized by the fashion, the style, even the photography, like how they catch your angles. I always use to study and I was like, okay. Cause I used to take those little tidbits. I was like, how many use that for my future business with them? I'm going to remember that. I remember that. So yeah.

Malliron Hodge:

Yeah. So all of them during that era, you were watching all of those and something you surface about your story, that I hope those who are listening can connect with. So in my notebook, I wrote it down. You talked about. One not seeing yourself represented in the industry. And so how you can bring that perspective, but also just let people know Hey, I'm here, I'm in this industry as well. Even though I may not be represented here as an example. And you can see that through me. Another thing you mentioned is responding to the needs. So thinking about your health, so your earrings. Yeah, you have some earrings, so your earrings are dope. And what I appreciate and something I noticed that you did. At the retreat is there was an individual that was there who needed clip ons literally fixed it up so this person could get the clip on. And so I just appreciate you thinking about all types of ears and the ear health and how you're thinking about hypoallergenic and all of that, because, I don't know a lot of people who are doing earrings, but I know you. And so the fact that you're like, I'm intentionally thinking about earing health and what I'm going. So that's another thing. As I think about that with businesses, you think about the needs. Something that you love and you want to do, and then you follow that need. That was the second thing. And then I bring it home with in your thread is things that you love and love being creative. You drew the bear and then you explored. And then you gotta you gotta singer, you got, that's a really good, so a machine for your first one, you got a really good sewing machine and then you constantly came back to, this is something I love. How can I incorporate it? I need to use my degree. So are there any more. Tips that you would add based off of your journey that you would share with other baddies and folks in the community who are listening that might be helpful as they're navigating their journey, they have ideas. And just based off of your journey, your experience

Ashley Day:

I would definitely say go, always go to something that you enjoy doing. I feel like. Everything that has came about in my business or what I've learned has naturally came full circle. I just feel like things really do come together. Naturally. I felt like whatever you're meant to do is going to happen naturally. It's going to happen organically. Things that you don't usually pay attention to that you really enjoy pay attention to it because it's something, there its something that you enjoy that can actually help the next person that could be a business. That could be something that can help somebody else. I don't know. I just feel like you should just really. Figure out what it is that you really enjoy and how can you spread that to others basically.

Malliron Hodge:

If you think about some baddies that have been there along the journey with you, you may know them. Like they could be someone that you're watching, who, or somebody that you want to shout out and give you. In this moment.

Ashley Day:

It's a lot like we could be here all day if I really need that a lot of Baddies, because Lord, I will say this God has really blessed me with a tribe that I did not realize that I had, or even that I needed. Some people, some of these women such as like Lizzy from all natural products by Lizzie, Melissa Hall of Halls group insurance, Mel. She Kayla Davis Above Art and Co Sharita, the MamaVator. I'm Sorry my name, everybody. But I promise y'all it's a lot like we can literally be here all day. Also. I'm Alaina, Gilbert of Mind Body and Scents Candles. These women. So these are some of the women that I have actually truly learned from look up to and are inspired by, and also have definitely vented about my business frustrations too. And they've always, gave me such wise wisdom. And they just inspire me to keep going. When I see people that, women that look like me, it always inspires you. Man, I know going through whatever I may be going through in my business, but if I see them elevate like that, I know I can get through it. Yeah. And I've also had so much support from strangers and these women more than I've actually had from my own family. So that, that speaks a lot as well.

Malliron Hodge:

Shout out to all of the baddies that you name. If y'all are listening, thank you so much for supporting Ashley. And also being that support system for black women as we navigate these spaces. And you bring up another important thing about business is that those who are supporting you may not be your family and your friends and that's okay. There'll be people that you have to find your network. You have to connect with. Now, if they are that's fine. But know that within this field, within the industry that you're in, you may not have people that are going to support you, that are families and friends, and that's okay. There may come a time when they come around, but just know that you have to find a network of supporters to be there. As Ashley mentioned that, you can go and vent to they'll support you every step of the way. So thank you for bringing that up. Ashley, just like highlighting that because too many times. We assume that family and friends are going to be the first supporters and sometimes they're further down the line and that's okay.

Ashley Day:

Yes. I definitely agree. So as a black woman business owner it's already hard to be an entrepreneur, but it's also even hard to be a a woman in business as black. That's the African-American. But it's just, it's really hard because, we don't always have that support system. We're supposed to be strong superwomen. We're supposed to have it all together. And that is not always true. That is not, it's not true. We are human. And when it comes to family I love my family. Of course they're proud of me, but of course, I don't get the support that I need, because they don't necessarily understand they're not in my shoes and that is okay. I am so blessed to have over the years in my business, it'll be five years this year, my business. And I see how God has really positioned me to be acquainted with people that, I can connect with. I can lean on for understanding, for wisdom about business resources. So I'm so blessed in that and I advise every woman, every entrepreneur, black woman definitely makes sure you have a tribe because I promise you it is so beneficial. It is so worth having, because when you are down and out, you, you're going to need some encouragement. Cause at the end of the day, every day is not going to be a good day in business. It's just not. So when you're a down the most, it's you need that encouragement. You need a friend, you need somebody that is going to understand what you are going to going through.

Malliron Hodge:

I love that. They'll be there as support, but they may not. Be your initial customers and clients and that's. Okay. So yeah. Thank you for naming that again. So if you think about graffiti Panda, or also just like you and your journey, where do you hope to be in the next two to three years? And how can the community of Baddies and friends support you from the day they hit play on this?

Ashley Day:

Okay. So first off two, three years, I have always heard that in order for your business to grow, you need to build a team. And I truly agree with that because, it'll be five years this year, since graffiti, Panda has been going in full swing and I'll be honest, sometimes Sis is tired. Sis is real tired. So I can get tired sometimes. So my goal has always to have my own, studio and headquarters for graffiti panda and hire other local creatives in and around my community to help me grow graffiti panda I want to be able to provide jobs to marketing. Product photography, social media, and a lot of areas that it tastes to upkeep my business because I definitely remember how hard it was in college to find internships and jobs that actually related to my major. I actually want to be one day of resource to provide internships, to local college students that need that firsthand and real world work experience to actually allow them to be successful. And. The way that your community can actually help me is shop my brand because majority of every dollar I get that goes actually goes back into reinvesting into my business to afford expenses and supplies. Cause listen, y'all stuff is high. No sense how high stuff is. It just really does. So other ways to support me is to really share my business to others in your network. Write a review. If you've ever shopped for one of my products, share my posts on social media tag a pic. Tag me, give me feedback because I welcome all feedback. I'm still learned as an entrepreneur every day. And also if you have any events or a project that you're working on, let's collaborate. Okay. So excited learning about and connecting with other boss women entrepreneurs. So hit me up through.

Malliron Hodge:

Yeah. All right. So let's help Ashley get to this place and not two to three. In a year let's see what that looks like. So I love that you are thinking about the studio. So we're going to put that out into the world, but also that you want to reinvest into the community. So hiring, thinking about internships, I love that shop the brand. So I'm going to give you a chance to just share your website. People can find you on social media and also opportunities to collab. So if you are listening to this and you're like, oh, I really want to collaborate with Ashley. I want to get graffiti Panda into this event or whatever you're working on. You can hit her up and she's about to share where you can find her.

Ashley Day:

Yeah. So you can definitely connect with me on Instagram and Facebook at graffiti underscore Panda. That is G R a FF I T. I underscore Panda and also on my website at www dot graffiti, panda.com. And of course through monthly local pop-ups throughout North Carolina and that I'm known for attending all the time. So definitely I would love to meet you online or definitely in person.

Malliron Hodge:

Yeah. Can you tell us where the name came from? If you did mention that.

Ashley Day:

Remember I mentioned that I drew the bear I learned how to draw the bear was actually like a black and white Teddy bear Christmas teddy bear that was sitting on my mom's couch. And then when I discovered that I could draw. I was literally becoming self-taught, sketch artist. And I started sketching, just doing a lot of graffiti work, getting very interested in it. So graffiti panda is just like an umbrella of being creative, being who you are. It's just expressing yourself how you feel that makes you happy. That empowers you and yeah. Just being expressive through fashion.

Malliron Hodge:

Ashley, as we come to a close on this episode, I do something called a baddie benediction. It is the closing words. If it's a poem, if it's a quote, if it's a song, whatever it is, but how do you want to close out the episode with your Baddie benediction?

Ashley Day:

So when I first started my business this is actually a Bible verse that happened to resonate with me a lot when I first started. And it is first Peter chapter four, verse 10, and it is each of you should use whatever gift you have received. To serve others as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. And the reason why I love this verse especially when I first started my business, because it just, it reminded me that, you have to remember that you are uniquely and wonderfully made in God's name. You do not have to change yourself or be like the trends of this world. God did not place you on this earth for so gain. He placed you here to bring glory to his kingdom and to serve and help with the gifts that he has placed already inside you. So all you need to do is work the gifts that he has gave you and blessed you with and make sure that everything you do is purposeful.