We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Drizzy Dria a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Drizzy Dria, thanks for joining us today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

My parents raised my siblings and I right. They instilled in us the abilities to dream, achieve, support, and allow for others to support you. To give cheerfully and to sew seeds into yourself that will produce much abundant fruit.

My parents made sure we were fed and our heads were on straight. They showed up to basketball games, track meets, art competitions, ceremonies, open mics, features, and showcases. As long as we did our best, nothing was impossible.

The unconditional love. When I expressed to them that I want to be an artist and that this is what I am pursuing, they engulfed me into a tight hug and poured life into me. Reminded me that I can do anything I put my mind to, and that no one can tell my story better than me.

My parents did everything right, and they continue to do right to this day.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Drizzy Dria. My passions are mental health advocacy, modeling, roller skating, hosting, performing poetry and spoken word, creating visual art and rapping all around the city of Detroit.

I got into this industry by following my gut, and leading with my heart. I have been a creative for as long as I have been on this Earth, so I knew that I could not run away from my purpose, even if I wanted to.

I knew that I enjoyed helping people, and that stemmed my pursuit into the field of Psychology and Social work. I graduated with a degree in Social Justice & Public Policy, and knew that in order to help the communities I serve, I have to know what the community wants and needs. This also means to not exclude my wants and needs, since I am also apart of the community I am serving.

From there, I realized that creativity is how I express myself and that creativity IS effective communication. Due to that, I decided to become a business woman, whose business is to be herself (a Black Woman), and with that, I provide enlightenment and a sense of community to people of all backgrounds through my intersectional identity.

I am most proud of my tenacity, and how I dare to dream big and bold. The main things I want potential clients/followers/fans to know about me and my brand is that I am that one, never that two.

I am simply bettering myself, and bettering my community. My ability to focus on what I want and to not be deterred from the vision, is what breeds success. I stopped being in my own way a long time ago. I am here to be a representation of living to love, and loving to live.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn is that respect is not given, it’s earned. I had to unlearn this lesson, because everyone deserves respect, being human is enough for that to be deserved.

I respect others, and I wish to be respected. Even when someone is being disrespectful, especially in a professional setting, you HAVE to remain professional. Professionalism goes a LONG way, and how someone responds to you is not reflective of you, it is reflective of them.

Diffusing situations and maintaining a cheerful disposition shows a lot about your character, so remain sensational.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing clientele is to remain humble and present. What I mean by this, is to remain approachable, coachable, and present in the community and on social media. Get out into the field!

Introduce yourself to people, get to know others, and let others get to know you. Collaborate with other business owners, have a conversation with people in different venues, and allow for folks to contact you.

Too often, folks are closed off and do not even realize it. By opening the door, breaking the ice, and setting the tone for the atmosphere, clientele are more likely to seek you based off your aura alone.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Drizzy.dria
• Facebook: Drizzy Dria