We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Erodney Davis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

ERodney, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

In 2007, I made a bold decision to quit my fast-track career in fashion advertising to pursue entrepreneurship. This was long before it became trendy, and most people thought I was crazy to leave a comfortable corporate job. I had meticulously saved a year’s worth of living expenses and planned to open a men’s lifestyle store in Brooklyn. However, as I delved into the realities of the market – the looming recession, the rise of e-commerce, and the impending housing market crash – I realized the risks were too high.

Unexpectedly, a month after leaving my job, I landed a role assisting a Casting Director for New York Fashion Week. My unique blend of personal style, advertising experience, and industry connections quickly earned me autonomy and responsibility.

While I had always aspired to work within a prestigious fashion house, this new path proved even more exhilarating. I collaborated with iconic designers like Ralph Lauren, Proenza Schouler, Mr. Armani and Alice Temperley, selecting the season’s best models to bring their designs to life on the runway. After years of navigating corporate hierarchies, I relished this newfound power and creative freedom.

I worked in casting for eight years all the while nurturing my own agency, Basic White Shirt, managing a diverse roster of talented creatives and artists.

The entrepreneurial journey has been challenging, with moments of doubt and wavering confidence. Yet, every time I’m on the verge of giving up, something incredible happens, reminding me to persevere. It’s a powerful reminder that even when your original plan falters, unexpected opportunities can lead you to even greater heights.”

As much as I love my work, the most rewarding aspect has been the impact my story has had on others. Hearing from people who have been inspired to take similar leaps of faith has been incredibly fulfilling.

ERodney, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

It’s no surprise that A-list celebrities have a team of people dedicated to making them look beautiful, but who is dedicated to that team? Enter me, founder and CEO of Basic White Shirt (BWS), a boutique agency representing beauty influencers, tailors and hair and make-up artists to the stars.
 
I began my career on Madison Avenue, eventually guiding the development of award winning ad campaigns for AT&T, Revlon & Tommy Hilfiger and moonlighting as part-time personal assistant to Celebrity Makeup Artist and Author, Sam Fine. Over a decade after developing acute business acumen alongside visionaries from the world of Advertising, I changed course, leaving corporate America behind with only my savings and a desire to open a men’s store in Brooklyn, NY. A month later, I began freelancing in New York & Milan, casting models for runway shows and ad campaigns. In 2008, a year into my newfound career path, I experienced a full-circle moment when Sam Fine tapped me to manage his bookings and eventually other clients came calling. BWS has since represented a cadre of industry icons, including Sir John, Renny Vasquez, Kiyah Wright, Mila Thomas, rising star – Armando Kole, and social media phenomenon, Nyakim Gatwech. I was also instrumental in helping launch Sir John’s Lion King Cosmetics Collection for Disney and Gatwech’s non-profit, BalangNyal which provides undergarments and sanitary products to disenfranchised women and girls in refugee camps in Ethiopia and South Sudan.

In addition to nurturing creative talent, I’m passionate about helping the next generation of beauty pros navigate the business of Beauty.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Referrals are the cornerstone of my business, a testament to my commitment to integrity. I prioritize my clients’ financial well-being by advocating for faster payment terms. Instead of antiquated industry standards like net 30, 60, or 90, I strive for payment either the same day or within 15 days of service, mirroring the speed at which companies onboard and compensate their own employees.

I also prioritize transparency and integrity with my clients. I’ve heard countless stories of agencies withholding payments for months or obscuring earnings from their artists. In contrast, I maintain open communication and promptly distribute funds. My commitment to ethical business practices has been instrumental in fostering strong relationships and driving significant growth through referrals.”

Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?

My close call was not knowing for a long time that I needed to put myself on payroll! As a business owner, including oneself on payroll is crucial, even if you’re the sole employee.

In times of economic downturn, such as the pandemic, being on payroll allowed me to qualify for unemployment benefits. Had I not switched to payroll in 2019, I would not have been able to receive unemployment and therefore would not have been okay!

Operating as a sole proprietor without payroll can also lead to serious tax-related issues. Failing to pay federal, state, and local taxes, as well as FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes, can result in significant penalties and even legal trouble with the IRS.

While payroll processing adds to business expenses, it provides a crucial safety net and ensures compliance with tax regulations, potentially preventing costly audits and legal repercussions.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://basicwhiteshirt.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/basicwhiteshirtltd?igsh=aGxsaXk2czdhazM1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18HLvmKN3g/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erodney-davis-0401b5a8?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/n16vDaTGa2k9H2jT9
• Other: Personal Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/only1erodney?igsh=cXB5MnFid3R2ZTJi

Image Credits

J. Monroe/Monroe Media

Quentin Renard Gunn