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

Arielle , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

I pray that my legacy is love. That anyone who encounters me was inspired to love God, themselves and others more deeply through every creative outlet I’ve been gifted. I have learned that love heals in ways we can’t imagine so I pray to leave a poem, a fashion look or a word of encouragement that embodies just that. When I’m gone I hope people say I lived and loved out loud in such a way that it became contagious

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am Arielle better known as Ari. I am the founder of Black Sheep Beauty Which is an empowerment brand where redefining the negative narratives attached to our identity is our lifestyle! Many may hear the term BLACK SHEEP and associate it with something negative such as outcast, or disgrace.

So we aim to shine a light on your true identity no matter the negative labels others may have put on you and even ones we’ve put on ourselves.

The TRUTH is the black sheep is set apart, chosen, the curse beaker, the wealth maker the lineage changer …

We communicate this truth through our street wear brand, poetry, motivational speaking, and content creation.

Black Sheep Beauty ( BSB)

Started in 2017 from a women’s conference called I prevail. I was asked to perform a poem and Although I was filled with fear, self doubt and so much insecurity I said yes.

In the poem I wrote one line that changed my life “ I AM BLACK SHEEP BEAUTY never meant to conform to the world. I didn’t know it while writing it but I understand now that it was a declaration. That no matter what you’ve been through, no matter what labels have gotten stuck to you there Is BEAUTY in being the Black Sheep. Once the negative narratives fall off we’re left with A beautiful identity and purpose.God left the 99 other sheep to go back for the ONE.

I am most proud of not giving up. Creating a business/ brand has some low lows filled with a lot of self doubt but the journey isn’t just for you.

What I hope readers take away from my story and BSB is that there is no thought pattern, fear, failure or insecurity that is strong enough to stop your purpose. You can’t prepare or plan for this journey so just be present in it. Know that even your pain has an assignment.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I started out on social media trying to promote our street wear clothing. It wasn’t until I began to come out of my shell with styling and creating looks and becoming more open to sharing my personally and even flaws that I saw my audience grow. Social media is a lot of trial and error so my advice is to not get caught up on the algorithm or trying to gain followers but creating content that inspires you! And in doing so it will inspire others. Your Content doesn’t have to perfect just authentic and your community will respond. Be open to letting others see you’re human. Be consistent which looks different for everyone. Lastly try your best not to compare your content or platform to anyone else’s.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the lesson of Grind mode.

As entrepreneurs we know that hard work is required but we have to learn that rest is also productive. Burnout or grinding until the wheels fall off isn’t going to get you there faster it’s going to leave you depleted and how can you create when your depleted? You can’t. So give your self permission to rest that does not mean you’re stagnant.

As someone who is defeating anxiety, and unlearning perfectionism, I had to relearn after secret panic attacks and high functioning anxiety , long stretches of exhaustion and mental breakdowns that when you grind too hard you’ll end up burned all the way out with nothing to pour. Your brand and those you’re assigned to help need you healthy. So work hard but not at the expense of your well-being. You’re going to win even when you rest I promise.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.theblacksheepbeauty.com
• Instagram: BlackSheepbeauty17
• Facebook: Black Sheep Beauty
• Tiktok: Blacksheepbeauty17