We recently connected with Destiny Tirado and have shared our conversation below.

Destiny, appreciate you joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

It started off when cannabis related products I needed to promote were getting shipped to my home where I was living with my mother. My mother found the products, discarded them, and kicked me out of the house. I then created merchandise with the little money I had in hopes to make a profit. I am blessed to say that is exactly what happened. From then on the sponsorships increased as well as merchandise quantity. I was able to eventually get my own apartment. Now today I earning a full time living from my creative work, merchandise and sponsorships. It is a true blessing being able to do what I love.

Destiny, 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?

After getting introduced to cannabis I started to film YouTube videos smoking. It wasn’t long after I endured an entire community of people watching and smoking along to my videos. Young adults my age were often going to music festivals, trips with friends, and shopping. For the first couple of years I made the sacrifice of not going out, not eating out, and not spending hardly any money on myself. I always reinvested the little money I earned when first starting off on social media. I had no plan B so it was up to myself to create a plan B, C, and D. I did exactly that by creating multiple streams of income. I created a merchandise clothing brand. I later started my very own Podcast show. I became a certified travel agent and created my own travel agency. As well as continued to invest in new filming equipment as my audience grew bigger and bigger. What I am most proud of in myself is being my biggest cheerleader. When starting off I did not have support from anyone I knew. The only support I got was from my viewers who were behind the screen so often times I had to root for myself to keep going and to keep taking risks. At the end of the day, it took many risks to be where I am now. I am proud that I decided to take the risk and leap of faith.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Growing up I shared a room in my grandmas house with my mother, older sister and myself. Privacy, personal space, and cleanliness was out of the picture. Whenever eating at fast food restaurants I did not have the freedom to decide what I wanted to eat because of budget restrictions. I was not able to shop anywhere besides the sale and clearance sections whenever back to school shopping. Although, I knew I was very blessed because I know there are other kids who do not even have what I did. I also knew that I did not have to settle. That life did not have to always be like that. I dreamed of myself being an adult who was successful and capable of taking the family out to eat where they can order anything on the menu. I was determined to make that dream a reality.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Having a community of people who I feel the closest to, even more close than I do with my own family or friends. Having them to talk to and listen to me is the most rewarding aspect.

Contact Info:

• Website: refusethebrand.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/lifebeingdest
• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lifebeingdest
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/lifebeingdest
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/@HighcastOfficial