Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brittani L. Samuels. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Brittani L., thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later?
If I could go back in time, I would have waited to start my business. My book and podcast were perfect timing. My business, not so much. I do not have any regrets. However, there are things that I wish I knew sooner. When I started House Of Allura, I was fresh out of college. I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur. That was the end goal. The thing was, there were multiple things that I started and wanted to pursue. I lacked balance. I was in a place where I wanted to be an entrepreneur and dive into Journalism. I piled too much on my plate at once, without knowing how to properly balance everything. Waiting to start my business would have looked different to me. It would have been more patient; I would have been more patient. My business was the right idea, at the wrong time. I learned as I went. That works for a lot of people, but not most. I have made countless mistakes, but I am more knowledgeable and business savvy now. When you start something from the ground up yourself, you learn a lot. It is just best to be patient with the process and yourself. I would not have changed anything about my experience. I have no regrets. I do have advice for anyone looking to invest in their business/craft. One, have your finances in order. Whether your craft makes you money or not, money will still have to go into it. Two, have a solid business plan. Map out everything, even the small things. Three, market and network! Always be prepared to market and sell yourself. Social media is the new business card. Also, put yourself in the space of likeminded individuals. Always make sure you are in the right room, at the right time. Four, do not stop no matter how hard it gets. It can be challenging. If things do not go as planned, take something from that experience, learn from it and apply it. Everyone has a season, yours will come. Five, enjoy every part of the journey.
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 an entrepreneur, journalist, podcaster, and author. I own a spiritual business called House Of Allura. In 2020, I created a brand called Medicine for the Mind. My book, Medicine for the Mind: The 30-day healing journal, is a spin-off of my podcast. House Of Allura and Medicine for the Mind were both established with the same mission. To help others take control of their life and step into their power. Medicine for the Mind focuses on mental and emotional health. I tackle childhood trauma that travels into adulthood. I focus on self-love, healing, and more. I aim to help my readers and listeners elevate mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. My podcast is available on over 7 platforms. Including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Anchor. The book is available on my website and Amazon. I took a more spiritual approach with House Of Allura. I crafted products that aid in many ways. My products include holistic candles, herb-infused oils, and more.
When it comes to writing, I have always been a writer. Writing just came natural to me. Whether it is an article, poem, or music. I can put just about anything into words. I expanded my writing skills after graduating with my Bachelor of Arts in Multiplatform Journalism, with a concentration in Creative Writing. Of course, I chose to go the editorial route. Most people capture memories on their camera, I capture mine on paper.
What sets me apart from others? My mindset and perseverance. Life has thrown me many curveballs. I have been knocked down plenty of times, but I never stayed down. By the grace of God, I pulled through and came back stronger than ever. I learned my lessons and shifted my mindset. I try to redirect my way of thinking and become a better person every day. I am still learning as I go. I am not stagnant, nor content. I always want better; I always want more. I do not stay down long, no matter what comes my way. that it is what sets me apart from others. Life can hit some people and they will just accept it. They make their obstacles their life. I have too much fight in me. I will always figure it out.
Of all things I have created, I am most proud of my book. The process took time, but it was worth it. I put so much into Medicine for the Mind. I started from a blank page, with no template. I just got creative. Every detail of that book is me. I poured a lot into my book. There is nothing that I have created that I am not proud of. I had a plan, and I executed that plan. Regardless of the outcome, I can say that I did what I said I would do.
I want potential clients and followers to know that I put a lot into everything that I do. I am a perfectionist. I give everything my all and I am very passionate. There is nothing that I have created that was done lightly. Be on the lookout, there is more to come. I am in my preliminary stage.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
There are two lessons I had to unlearn. First, if something does not work out then you have failed. You can only fail if you do not try. No matter how things turn out, give yourself credit. Have grace with yourself. Second, you should have your entire life planned out. I no longer believe in making plans. Things do not always go accordingly and that leads to disappointment. It is easy to get discouraged in life. Set a goal for yourself instead of planning. A goal is not timed. It is something to attain at some point. We put timers on ourselves and that is where we go wrong. The worst thing I ever did to myself was put a timer on my life. I thought I had to have everything together and figured out, by a certain age. All I did was set my self up for disappointment. Now, I just set a goal and release it to the universe. I try not to harbor on it. As far as “failures” go, everything is not going to work out the first time. That was another hard lesson that I learned. There is a reason for everything. You were either meant to try again, or space was made for something better. Either way, be proud of yourself for trying.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
I think non-creatives underestimate the creative process. You never know what something entails until you have gone through it. Everyone will not see your vision and they are not supposed to. Your vision is for you only. People will talk against you. You must have thick skin and always be your biggest cheerleader. Putting yourself out there to the world is a vulnerable thing to do. You never know how you will be received, if at all. You do not know how your business, book, etc., will sell. It is so easy to get discouraged when you go after what you want. I think creatives should be allowed grace. We go against the “norm” and what others feel our path should be. The journey of a creator is never-ending. It is long, stressful, and you want to give up at times. If you just wait and push a little harder, the outcome can be beautiful.
Contact Info:
- Website: Personal: www.brittanilola.com Business: www.houseofallura.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittanilola_/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittani-samuels-9a1b86205
- Other: Book: https://www.amazon.com/Medicine-Mind-30-Day-Healing-Journal/dp/B08QRY3SKB Podcast: https://anchor.fm/brittani-lola/episodes/Why-I-created-Medicine-for-the-Mind-eilufn