We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ricky Dedmon . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ricky below.

Alright, Ricky thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?

I’d have to say My Hero is my father. Growing up he was a giant in my eyes. My earliest dreams in life were being like him. Having a family, being strong, fearless, charming, God fearing, athletic, creative. I always felt like my father had it all. He was actually the person that gave me my first drawing lesson. From that 1 lesson so much was inspired in me. I fell in love with art and have him to thank for it. One of the major lessons I learned from my father was to be brave always keep going. He never had any quit in him. I watched him with different jobs he worked or projects around the house and one thing I noticed through thick and thin he gave his all and held his head. As I grew up I better understood some of the challenges he faced as a young black father. When I think about how easy he made it look and how safe he made us feel it blows my mind. I’m encouraged everyday with thoughts of trying to fill his shoes in my own life.
To be quite honest his artistry really blessed my journey. My father was an amazing writer. At night sometimes when the house was sleep I would sneak to his binder and read some of his stories. I was so inspired that my dad was so talented, yet sometimes hurt cause I felt nobody knew. These were stories tucked away in a closet that were literally movies, captivating and inspiring. Those late nights inspired the writer in me. It also inspired the ambition that I would never stop putting myself or my art on display for whomever to see it. I understand now that our gifts are not our own but are from God for us to share with the world that he may receive Glory for being such an amazing creator. So since I stepped into my passions I just never stop creating and sharing, cause I know some how some way someone will be blessed and God will be pleased. I also chose to do it all under my father’s nickname “Ricky” to continue to add to the legacy of the legend that inspired me. It pleases me that “Ricky” is becoming a brand name. My hope is that before this life is done he can look up and see his name in lights where it belongs, and I can rest knowing I made him as proud as he made me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve really always been into fashion. Life without fashion to me is just a blank canvas in an empty room. So as an artist it was only natural I developed the urge to create it. I hand painted my first shirt when I was in 8th grade with fabric paint I bought while out running errands with my mom. I don’t believe it was much to anyone else but to me I was born that day. Prior to then I had made sample sneakers out of leftover pizza boxes, but this felt different. Was still really unsure what exactly to do with the passion though. So it was something I was kind of into secretly I guess. That is till about 11th grade my lifetime friend Chris and his crew nicknamed themselves “Trendsetters”. Which I loved and inspired the heck out of me. After a year of watching him be bold and daring I decided it was my turn too. But I knew it had to be attention grabbing. So I said let’s go with “C.A.T.S- Crushing All Trend Setters”. First outfit out the bag they laughed at me and at the idea. A couple outfits later they were impressed. I think then I knew I had the power to speak and move through fashion. After high-school and a few failed attempts at attending art universities and then having a child. I picked up music, it was the next best way for me to create and express life. Also more convenient as I was down on funds. After 12 years of writing my heart out and only creating fashion part-time. I put down the microphone and focused on my first passion. I rebranded my clothes from the previous name of Never Neglect to Royal by Ricky. Then also changed the focus of not only dreamers but the history and nostalgia of the dreamer that is me. As of today it has been a year in of being a small business owner to my own apparel brand and I’m loving every minute of it. I try my best to offer creative approaches to 90’s and 2000’s vibes culture perspectives and media with modern trends.
To keep the merchandise rare and valuable I only produce limited quantities. That way having a piece from my brand is like having a piece of something bigger than just fashion, more like a puzzle piece from an unfolding story.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The biggest lesson I feel I’ve had to unlearn is “Play it safe”. I feel “safe” actually gets you no where in the entrepreneur game. Some of the biggest gains I made in my online presence and potential audience was when I finally said ‘F’ it! I started being my complete and truest self in the rawest forms. Some may have even seemed embarrassing, but I learned that the history makers made history because they were brave enough to dive into the present not worried about tomorrow.
I think you have to have great belief in yourself to truly succeed and in that not focus on what may go wrong but instead all that may go right. Most legends are not only talented but courageous too.

Have you ever had to pivot?

To be honest everyday is a pivot as an entrepreneur. Demand changes, supplies are not always convenient or guaranteed, life doesn’t pause for you to get things in order. So yeah I pivot literally everyday. Especially while maintaining a job work 50-60 hours a week. Being a Husband and Father, providing and protecting while responding to emails, post, creating new and entertaining content and/or products. All I know is pivot at this point because there is rarely a perfect day or or opportunity or scenario, so I am constantly making the best out of whatever I am facing. With God though it only gets easier and easier because I know though things are challenging sometimes he won’t let me fail.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.royalbyricky.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/royal_x_ricky