We recently connected with Dara Jendayi and have shared our conversation below.
Dara, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
I Am happier as a creative because that is what I Am meant to be. I am also navigating being a newly diagnosed Audhd (Autistic & ADD) adult, after being aware of my divergence since young. I work regular jobs on and off as I move around, and I have worked since 12years old. I have no issue working – I always say, I am a great worker but a bad employee. As an entrepreneur I am a brand developer and business systems creator; so I literally help people create systems to more efficiently take their ideas and brands to a level of organization where everything runs seamlessly.
Most workplaces are modeled extremely poorly- incorrect people are in leadership positions, certain protocols are outdated and unnecessary, and there are many things that can be added and subtracted that could clearly increase profits; but as an employee, we have to “know/ accept our place” in the scheme of the company. In the last decade 7 places I worked, permanently closed after I left, or after turning down the services I offered to provide as a BSC.
I am most fulfilled, impressed, and in alignment when I am a full time entrepreneur. The pipeline from being the overachieving youth, teen, and college student with savant syndrome to overwhelmed burnt-out adult operating independently in “normal society” aka NPC land, is real Lol.
Dara, 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?
I am Dara Jendayi in the Fashion and Business world. I am Gu, Gu Baby, in the Arts and Entertainment realm. In both worlds I am a Business Structure Creator, Consultant, Artist, Camera Operator, and Creative Marketing Strategist. As Dara Jendayi I am the Artist and Designer of www.JendayiDesign,com, a fashion and wellness brand that has reached 6 countries, and various states internationally. Jendayi is a high-fashion ready to wear brand with handmade 1 of 1 garments, and exclusively sourced vintage pieces. Jendayi’s influence continues to grow. In its current season of restructuring and scaling, Jendayi has added many wellness products, including its own Water! Locally sourced, pure spring water, free of additives, can now be ordered along with exclusive wardrobe. Jendayi has always represented a lifestyle of faith in self, and upholding high self-esteem, while remaining in a state of gratitude- staying true to thyself, Now Jendayi’s growing product line will reflect the high-fashion, abundant, lifestyle the wardrobe collections have always inspired.
Jendayi offers High-fashion hand made ready to wear garments, Editorial and Lifestyle Photography Services, Wardrobe Styling, and health, wellness, and lifestyle products like Jendayi’s Water (ThanksForThat), Body Scrub Brushes, Jade rollers, and more.
Gu Baby is the owner and operator of MyFloridaMusicPromo, a brand development service provider, for independent Artists. Offering photo shoots, music videos, series/vlog/movie recording and all camera work alike, as well as marketing services: – Press kits, Press releases, Playlist placements, and marketing literature creation; MFMP is the perfect starting point for aspiring entrepreneurs and Artists. We work with entrepreneurs, brand ambassadors, models, and start-ups along with Artist.
For our clients we give creative solutions to all their marketing needs. We educate our clients on simpler ways to execute their visions for their brands. We offer a Brand Organizer Package, which is a 4-week process, organizing everything from step one, and streamlining every element and platform possible. For recording Artists, we make sure distribution analytics are clear and easily accessible, we get the basics like the press kits and releases executed, a professional photo shoot, vlog, and all things to have a strong foundation for the brand they are creating.
Gu Baby is also a Recording Artist, on all streaming platforms right now! Please follow and stream on your platform of choice. Welcome to the Guniverse.
I was a child actress/commercial model; doing commercials on Disney, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., and various campaigns for chains like Kash N’ Karry, Dillards, etc. So I grew up in the industry on a small scale, enough to get a good taste of it, I was able to get a lot of quality industry experience while still having a “regular” life on the other side. I have just continued in the creative lane throughout life in many capacities.
I am most proud of not only continuing my brand since 13 years old, when I did my first show, until now. Throughout extreme trials, that led me into deep depression, which I am just now feeling more relieved from, extreme health issues due to the trials, I am grateful I have continued. Being what is termed, late-diagnosed Autistic, led me down another path I am so glad I have embarked upon- psychology. I had to begin studying, and realize that from a young age, being a paid actor, I was under certain contracts I was not aware of. I was controlled financially and professionally, in ways I wasn’t aware of. I had to stop actively working full-time on Jendayi and my other companies for the last 8 years. I had to study and learn Neurodivergence and how it will play a role in my adult life desiring a financially abundant life, while it simultaneously being focused on my business and Art and being peaceful – Lol, is that possible? Well, I am learning daily. I am grateful and proud that even when I felt I couldn’t do anything, and thought what’s the use… I did something, just a little something, and kept my brands alive. The fact, to this day, people know Jendayi and its recognizable, is amazing. Art is truly timeless. Art created from the heART is timeless, you hear me! Keep creating, keep loving, even if no one around you is worthy, love yourself the best you can. Keep breathing. You are not your businesses, they are an extension of you, so take care of yourself, as so many of us have reached a phase of burnout if not recently, in the last 5 years with all that’s going on in the country and world. When we create we are taking up the role of God. We need more of that. Just like Jendayi’s current season- the world is going through some restructuring and growth; that comes along with some growing pains, but it is necessary to reach our desired visions. I am extremely proud of having music out! I am so glad I followed through with becoming a recording artist. Its so mind blowing to listen to your own music that you actually Like! Ahhhh! Love it.
Thank you
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A major lesson that had to be unlearned, or relearned, was how to treat people on this journey. As mentioned, I grew up in the industry and America’s Next Top Model times, where it was standard to be harsh say at casting calls, or when critiquing models. I also grew up in a very critical family, where things were delivered bluntly if not up to par with the standard they wanted to uphold. Even though it was in my nature to be loving and generous, all the above-mentioned reasons coupled with the fact that other people in the industry whether it be model coaches, or other people in my same role, would embody that harsh dive-esque, critical persona, so it rubbed off on me in certain ways. I actually left college at a peak of Jendayi’s growth due to family issues, and that had an influence on ways I handled things, because I wanted to “blow up or make it” ASAP before I had to leave south Florida. I was pushing so hard, sometimes I tried to push certain people in ways they didn’t have the capacity to handle- basically how my family was treating me. I now lead with patience! And peace, in my endeavors, and I take my time with my brands. I am so grateful for every model that ever worked with me and all creatives that have in all of my companies I have had throughout the years. I truly respect and cherish every compatible creative I come across because it is challenging to maintain the spirit necessary to be an entrepreneur or Artist, and just everyone who works and makes the world go round, especially in the current economic standing.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I had to pivot from Jendayi to MyFloridaMusicPromo which was formerly known as OhMyTampa.com. I had went through extremely costly legal battles with my family, had been homeless, and ended up living in my hood in Tampa, a lower-income neighborhood. I wanted to still pursue my business, but the things I was around was nothing like Jendayi’s aesthetic. I still could offer the branding (photography) and wardrobe services nonetheless, because Tampa has a huge club scene that makes tons of money daily, thing was half of the clubs were strip clubs, as well. I pivoted into bartending, then started realizing how many artists are able to perform at each club, but they rarely ever had anyone with a camera to shoot their performances. I would see some of these Artists in the neighborhood too. So I started OhMyTampa, because I was simultaneously being traumatized by so many things I was witnessing, I was always thinking Oh My God, OMG… so I created OMT, Oh My Tampa. Mind you this was fresh out of college, a WHOLE DIFFERENT WORLD, so I was naive to so much. But I knew I couldn’t market certain things under Jendayi or it would tarnish the brand. So I created OhMyTampa, started doing media coverage, Artists vlogs, photo shoots, and making outfits for dancers, and creating that brand. Since then, I have still had some major shifts so I created MyFloridaMusicPromo as a rebranding, but you never know- OhMyTampa may come back one day lol. I am gratefully now in a place where I can comfortably separate my clientele, and operate both brands efficiently, what a true Gift!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.JendayiDesign.com
- Instagram: GuLikeGuru333
- Youtube: https://www.Youtube.com/Guniverse2k
- Other: @MyFlMusicPromo on Instagram for MyFloridaMusicPromo.com which will be up soon!Thank you!
