Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jameal Pullins-MDRD. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jameal, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
I recently sewed this leather Louis Vuitton jacket that I’m wearing. I’ve always loved fashion, but I never imagined I’d be a seamstress. I started sewing before moving to Atlanta because a client was interested in creating custom attire for their private lounge. Later on, when I couldn’t find certain items in stores, I thought it would be a fun idea to create them myself. I believe this chapter of my life is a meaningful project. I am self-taught in most of my talents, and lately, I’ve been honing my skills. Each day, I dedicate time to becoming more proficient in my key areas of interest. I’m learning to appreciate every little thing that will eventually add to the bigger picture. I started as a model and transitioned into a fashion designer and musician. These days, I am living those intentions. Each day brings something new. For example, any day of the week, I engage in various activities that are meaningful to me. Sometimes, I am in the studio recording songs, while at other times, I am in my sewing room working on my fashion line. I also edit videos for social media content and learn new skills for business. Recently, I attended tax preparation school. I have a great team of people who are building and changing their reality as we speak. Each project provides a unique feeling and contributes to my overall sense of fulfillment. I have longed for this moment in my life where I can be my true self creatively. It takes time, consistency, and patience to become the person I knew I always was. I overcame the fear of my peers’ opinions and began to soar. I am excited to have a team of people who share the same drive and look up to me as a leader. I am grateful to The Most High and trust the process because it wasn’t always this way. The future looks bright, and I am confident that I will continue to achieve my goals and live my dreams.
Jameal, 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 live by a strict code of ethics and always strive to act with integrity. I believe that with the right foundation, anyone can excel in any industry. My preferred industries are entertainment and business consulting. In entertainment, I work as a model, musician, fashion designer, and creative director. I have a unique set of skills, especially when it comes to having an eye for detail. In consulting, I use the same skills and attention to detail to bring my client’s vision to life. With over 15 years of experience in my industry, one conversation with me reassures my clients that they are in good hands. My strengths are in sales, marketing, creating a social media presence, and team building. I have also been involved in start-up businesses, from blueprints to interior decor and location selection. There are no limits to what I can provide for my clients. I believe that my network is my net worth, and I pride myself on being the go-to person who knows someone who can help.
I know it may seem like I have always had everything figured out, but that’s not the case. I had to learn as I went along. We live in a world of instant gratification, where we expect results without putting in the work. We get angry when we don’t receive the likes and support we want, and we allow others to project their fears and opinions on us, stopping us from pursuing our dreams. We blame others for our failures and continue to do the same thing, expecting different results. We don’t support each other’s content, but we’ll share a video degrading someone.
I realized that I needed to change my perspective. I learned that our thoughts become things, and we become what we consume or think about. I learned to focus on the things I can control and let go of things I cannot. If I wanted the world to change, I had to be the change I wanted to see in the world. It wasn’t easy, but I put one foot in front of the other each day, and when I looked up, I had evolved.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My main mission is to earn a full-time living from my creations. I have already achieved some of my goals, but there are still some that I am working towards. Initially, my goal was to replace the traditional 9-5 job with a more flexible schedule that would allow me to earn a full-time living on my terms. Now, my mission is to transition my time and energy toward earning a full-time living from my creative work. I have been able to earn extra income from my creations, which has shown me that it is possible to earn a full-time living doing what I love. Ultimately, I aim to achieve financial freedom, create generational wealth, start a new cycle with my family, be a testimony to others, and lead by example.
Currently, I am working with two non-profit organizations. One organization helps senior citizens, while the other is a youth development program. Additionally, I am working with a foundation that helps kids in Africa. I am passionate about rebuilding the family and community, especially in the African-American household. Growing up, I did not have the best mentors, if any at all. Therefore, I take pride in being able to mentor youth through the arts and sports. I believe that it is important to be a positive influence and provide guidance to the younger generation. I look forward to inspiring others through my creations and being of service to my community.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
It is important to let go of old knowledge and beliefs to acquire new ones. I was taught some unconventional ways and views of the world. However, I struggled with my mental well-being and often made excuses or was told to “deal with it” when I sought help. My surroundings were not conducive to my growth, but I realized that I didn’t have to be a product of my environment. It was my responsibility to change my circumstances, and no one else’s. While others may have caused our traumas, it is solely our responsibility to heal from them. I have had to unlearn a lot recently, which has made me question existence at times. Nevertheless, I remain steadfast in my journey. The jobs I was working were not fulfilling me or my purpose, and I came to terms with the fact that many people are lost and just doing what they’re told. I am an independent, free thinker, and an innovator. I could not be put in a box, so I had to break free. In the world of acting, when an actor goes off script, it’s called improv. However, in real life, when we go off script, people tend to look at us strangely. It can make us feel alone and lost, but deep down, our intuition is our guide. Instead of seeking acceptance from the world, I have learned to look within myself. Prayer and meditation have become my best friends, and I find solace in observing nature. I have come to realize that choosing peace with myself, even if it means going against the world, is a daily feat. The path of righteousness is not an easy one, and keeping the peace requires constant effort. There will always be trials and challenges that we face, but I have become more protective of my time and energy.
I often use the analogy of a personal energy bank with my mentees. Imagine that we each have a bank that holds our energy, and we start each day with 100%. Every negative reaction or action we take depletes our energy bank. If we were more mindful of how we use our energy and time, we would be able to make the most of each day. The best part about this energy bank is that it resets on its own each day, giving us a fresh start.
Here’s to a new beginning, one love, one consciousness. All esteem to The Most High, Elohim.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mdrdconsulting.square.site/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jameal.pullins
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameal-pullins-399529b5/
- Youtube: http://youtube.com/@mealdarealdeal
Image Credits
MDRDproductions, Flagmedia, UCCY, Sensational Acting Production Studio, CBDenise Foundation.