We were lucky to catch up with G Wade recently and have shared our conversation below.

G, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. How did you actually start – what was the process of going from idea to execution – walk us through some of the main steps that allowed you to launch your business? Tell it to us as a story – you had the idea, then what happened? What was the next day, hour, month or year like? What did you have to figure out, look into, setup, etc in order to move beyond the idea phase and actually launch?

JUST START. Those are the two words that have resonated with me from the first I heard them. To this day, those two words, In my opinion, has been the best advice that I have ever received in my lifetime. Don’t get me wrong, there have been a multitude of different kinds of advice I’ve received but if I’m listing them in ranking order “Just Start” tops my list. In Washington, DC in the mid-eighties and nineties, there was a very popular clothing brand that was worn by urban youth throughout the city and one day I just happened upon the clothing outlet’s brick and mortar. Always having a desire to break into fashion with my own designs now was the perfect time to glean from some sage advice on how to start my own t-shirt business. After spotting the owner of the establishment from across the store, I made a beeline straight into his path armed and eager to hit him with my line of how-to questions. With an extended hand, I introduced myself; hello sir, my name is G-Wade and I’m an aspiring fashion designer and I’m honored to not only be in your store but super excited to meet the man behind the brand. I then let him know how awesome and cool his fashion was and the great impact that it had on the city. After our brief exchange of pleasantries, I proceeded with my pre-rehearsed set of questions that I had stored away in my mind in the case of an opportunity such as this. First question, how do I go about designing my own t-shirts? Expecting a very detailed and profound answer, he responded by simply saying, “just start.” Initially, I didn’t think he heard my question so I ask him again, so what do I do to start designing my own t-shirts, his response again, “just start.” Not quite sure if it was me not asking the right question, I rephrased my question, so I know that it must’ve taken you many steps in getting your clothing brand off the ground… what would you suggest that a young brother and aspiring entrepreneur do to get his clo— and before I could finish my question, he raised his hand to stop me and he looked at me with a gentle yet confident smile and with a soft tone he said; “brother, just start.” Now I would love to say to you right now that I walked out of his establishment with all the confidence and a full understanding of what that meant but I didn’t. However, what I did walk out of his store with was a desire to want to know what he meant. It wasn’t until a day or two later that it hit me. JUST START! In other words, it doesn’t matter whether or not you have the knowhow or the money, JUST START wherever you are. Within a few years, I had grown my t-shirt designs into hats, jeans and jackets. Sometimes a plan doesn’t start to come together until after the dream grows wheels to get the plan rolling. So my advice to you is that of a simple one, JUST START!  

For folks who may not have read about you before, can you please tell our readers about yourself, how you got into your industry / business / discipline / craft etc, what type of products/services/creative works you provide, what problems you solve for your clients and/or what you think sets you apart from others. What are you most proud of and what are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about you/your brand/your work/ etc.

Please provide as much detail as you feel relevant as this is one of the core questions where the reader will get to know about you and your brand/organization/etc

I was born and raised in Washington, DC and as corny as it may sound, I didn’t get into this business, the business got inside of me. I just needed a way to get it out of me. I knew from a very young age that entertainment was something that I wanted to be a part of. My very first venture into the entertainment world was at the age of six or seven. It was in the local recreation center’s Christmas play. Just seeing the reactions from the audience, I caught the acting bug. Growing up, I was always drawn to the arts, acting, and music… even radio. Washington, DC wasn’t known for its theater scene so I drew more towards the music, Go-Go music to be exact. Go-Go music is a sound that’s only unique to the DC metro area (DMV)… much like Hyphy music is to Oakland, CA. As I got older my taste in music has evolved just as did my taste in the arts. Over the years, I’ve dabbled in many areas of entertainment but nothing has been as fulfilling as being behind the camera. With a few projects under my belt, I’m happy to say that I earn my living in the entertainment industry. None of which has come easy… and I’ve earned every tear. Today, I’m the founder and CEO of Wade Works Studios in Atlanta, GA. It is home to Brightwood Media where we specialize in film & television production, audio/visual production and podcast recordings, as well as, my weekly podcast; G-Wade Podcast.  

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

What I think helped me to build my reputation within my market is consistency. For the longest time I’ve heard successful people always talk about consistency. You have to be consistent. Stay consistent. Consistency is the key to success. And to be honest, I grew to have some animosity towards the word consistent… not the people saying it but to the actual word. And for many years I questioned how the words consistent and success went hand-in-hand. I’ve been busting my butt to be a success by being consistent but I’m not seeing any results. I would tell people, I have an issue with the word consistent. It can’t be as great as they say it is because I’m buying into the philosophy that consistency brings success and yet I’m not reaping the fruits of my labor. When in all actuality, my consistency has been bringing me one step closer and closer to my dreams. I’ve since abandoned my one-sided “beef” with the word consistent and now have learned to embrace my successes however small they may seem and that my faith in God has never failed me. “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie. Though it tarry, wait for it because it will surely come.”

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn that I’m not doing this business journey alone but instead I’ve come to learn and realize that I get by with a little help from my friends and from my faith in God. I had to learn how to get out of my own way. Trust my friends. Trust great business advice. Trust the process. But more importantly, TRUST GOD! My journey continues. So if you have any desire to change your career path or you have a strong desire to step out and start your own business, I have two words for you; JUST START. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.WadeWorksStudios.com
• Instagram: @WadeWorksStudios1
• Facebook: @WadeWorksStudios
• Linkedin: @WadeWorksStudios
• Twitter: @WadeWorksStudios
• Youtube: @WadeWorksStudios
• Yelp: Wade Works Studios