We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Andre Gomez Hadiyah Williams. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Andre Gomez below.

Hi Andre Gomez , thanks for joining us today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

It’s without a doubt that it is not easy being a business owner. Attempting to balance your personal life and now create a lucrative source of income is something more consuming than most believe. In the world of business, there are many challenges to learn and grow from. Like nights taking paperwork home, being present for your brand and the community you’re building, setting up financial security outside a 9-5, you name it.

It can be challenging being an alternative business owner in addition to the pressures of running your own company. The business world is often one of much pose and stature. So, when two people of color stacked with tattoos open up a plant-based smoothie bar, well, most are going to inquire on how exactly how we fit within the criteria/societal structures that are often unseen yet placed in the company world.

With the wellness and health industry heavily populated with a certain class and group of individuals, it was challenging to overcome the many microaggressions and the deft tone of systemic oppression of the industry. From finding banking and investors willing to work with us, connecting with other business owners, and vendors, and having to overprove ourselves worthy of an industry that was blocked from us in the past. And it does hurt and impact our business and personal selves daily. We care about our passion for holistic healing, our community, and the health of everyone around us!

We can see and feel the scrutiny and skepticism from customers compared to the other business owners that differ from us. This can result in decreased sales and revenue, which makes it harder to grow and succeed as a business owner.

But this is not an interview for pity and self-doubt, it’s one of empowerment and fulfilling our passions. With perseverance, support, and dedication, individuals of color can succeed as business owners – just like everyone else.

Andre Gomez , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

We are humble artists that went into full entrepreneurship – seriously. Before the main cultivation of our smoothie bar business, both Andre and I ventured into many artistic, wellness, and holistic crafts. Andre is an alchemist in tantric sound healing through DJing, a variety of instruments, and even teaching Afrikan drumming. He is also certified in personal training & fitness, through spiritual healing, nutrition, and finding body self-confidence for others. During the year, you may catch him creating one-of-a-kind beaded jewelry and manifestation oils for healing events and retreats!

Dede spends their passion time creating digital art, and dabbling in herbology, gardening, natural sciences, and resin crafts. They also spend their time connecting to the Earth and artistry by creating handmade Earth pieces that feature ethically sourced flowers, bones, and insects! Dede also has credentials in child development and education, where she inspires students and little ones through natural healing and SEL.

We want people to know that we had to fight to evolve into who we are today. Coming from neighborhoods and cities that were (and still are) underserved, overpopulated, and saturated with malnutrition, we experienced fast food chains, liquor stores, and gas stations on every corner without knowledge of healthy nutrition. In inner-city ghettos, you don’t see many health-conscious choices such as Trader Joe’s or Wholes Foods. So, our initial journey for us both began with exploring a more natural way to heal our bodies and mind from all the trauma and damage.
We first focused on herbal medicines with plant-based dietary, mental, and physical changes. Our process consisted of finding the correct nutrients while cutting many processed foods including juicing, smoothies, teas, growing produce, and packing supplements. While unlearning damaging patterns from our past environments, we realized community nutrition also contributed to our lifestyles.

With all our talents combined, FDG was created and has been devoting itself to spreading our message of healthiness to rural and exploited communities who lack access to alternative options. We want to show that being plant-based or caring for your nutrition should be accessible, affordable, and uncomplicated.

In turn, my partner and I created a new way of supporting ourselves and breaking out of the typical “worker-bee” system based on our passion for helping others heal. FDG is not just a smoothie bar- we are a holistic hub, mending the community through education, connections, and our 100 % plant-based deliciousness. We are proud to be the creatives and business owners of the future. And hope to inspire others to do the same for their passions in life!

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

It’s a sad reality that systemic issues make it so much harder for people like us to thrive and achieve our goals. And I know we can do better as a society to support artists and creatives in their passions and business adventures. As technology, creative exposure, and human interaction continue to evolve at a rapid speed, society must recognize the challenges that artists of color face on a massive scale and take steps to address them. Let’s start with having conversations on how mainstream culture impacts how our work is shared and displayed compared to other creative projects and businesses. Let’s push for more funding, grants, and scholarship opportunities that support our artists while acknowledging the hardships and giving due credit.

We can also encourage companies to provide opportunities for artists and creatives to collaborate and work on projects together, and to hire/ promote a diverse workforce. I believe with support, willingness to learn, and empathy, we can create a thriving creative ecosystem where artists of color can thrive and succeed.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Being an creative is about birthing/generating new ideas into the Universe. It’s about expression and showcasing who you are for yourself or others to see and receive an exchange of growth from. I think, for us both, the rewards are what we gain from the natural exploration of the inner self. There are so many trends, societal norms, and set ways the world is constantly setting us up to be. Being creative allows us to step outside those molds and present who we want to show the world! We take muse from our adventures and explore different sceneries and cultures to help create what we want to convey.

And it’s even more rewarding when that energy is reciprocated back. When others learn or discover something new through our creativity, that’s when we know we’ve made a connection that’s worth all the hard work. Like people dancing to Dre’s DJ set, or our locals telling us our smoothies made them feel better!

Whether it’s painting, music healing, working out, growing plants, or making a smoothie – there’s magic and reward in just doing what makes you and others feel amazing. That’s the real freedom of being a creative!

Contact Info:

• Website: freeduhgreensllc.squarespace.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freeduhgreenssmoothiebar/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreeDuhGreensLLC/

Image Credits
Dede Williams & Andre Gomez