We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jordashia Watson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jordashia below.

Alright, Jordashia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

One night in October I was at home alone and bored. It was around 6:00pm and I was sitting on the couch thinking to myself, “I am young and talented. I deserve to be lit right now, not bored and feeling lonely.” I literally thought of LIT 6 and knew that it was the perfect name for a brand or logo. It was catchy. It was fresh. The name had potential to become a household brand. The next few days my good friend Taylor and my boyfriend at the time, Blaka, brainstormed some ideas and we came up with what is now Lit6 Fashions. Creativity always starts at home.

Jordashia, 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?

Lit6 Fashions is a brand created to inspire people to embrace their authenticity and to #BeYouBeLit . We offer hats and apparel styles that complement your unique look, not replace it.

The world today is full of trends, influences and algorithms that shift our views of Self and others without even realizing it. Because of this, it is so important to take the time to enjoy discovering what makes you you. Authenticity is key, and rare for some. And so we believe that when you’re you, you’re LIT 🔥.

In the early stages Lit6 was a “hat company”. We provided dad hats at low costs, but they were lightweight, fashionable and versatile enough to wear on a daily basis. That was our sauce. An everyday hat. A product that matched everything and could be worn anywhere. With our bold logo at the center, the hats became a statement piece and stamped your allegiance to being authentic & “LIT”. These same hats are a part of our line today and now complement our line of t-shirts, shorts sets, plus our new collection coming soon.

Earlier this year I found my old sketchbook from my 6th grade art class. JMS’s Ms. J was my favorite teacher at the time, and it just came to my attention how much she encouraged my creativity in some way- whether by show or tell, she truly saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself at the time.

In this sketchbook I created a logo as part of our assignment and there are pages full of designs I drew up. I took this logo and branded it onto hats, couture dresses, denim skirts and shorts sets, apparel tops, shoes and even high-end jewelry. “Jayco Fashion” was the name and the logo actually resembles the Lit6 logo today. I promoted my new “fashion label” as if it were going to be released during NYFW and afterwards, a few friends started to call me “Jayco”. This is my personal social media handles are @thejayco148.

Over a decade later and here I am with Lit6 Fashions, plus a customs + decor business, all started from home. Just brainstorming, a little motivation and a passion for creating something new yet meaningful, with my own might and talent. No one can tell me any different about the power of manifestation, faith and the beauty in believing in someone’s potential.

I did not think I would become an entrepreneur. My dream was to play against Serena at Wimbledon and the US Open, and hopefully beat her. Now she’s about to retire and I’m getting ready to celebrate 6 Years of Lit6 this October with the people who’ve become loyal customers, are excited to see what’s coming next, and who have helped this brand truly become a business.

I thank God regularly for my talent. It amazes me that I get to use my gift to make gifts for others. From my own home and with my hands, I’m making clothing, hats, shadow boxes, decals, labels and even cake decor for people who trust me to get the job done. It’s fulfilling and I wouldn’t trade this for the world.

As an entrepreneur, what I’ve learned most about myself and people is that we all need genuine support in the process of becoming our best, authentic selves. Freedom is a common goal but we all know that on the other side of that is a fear for what is may look like, or what needs to be sacrificed. Cutting people off, letting go, starting over, or putting ourselves in vulnerable situations isn’t easy, but it’s necessary for a lot of us in our journey towards freedom.

#BeYouBeLit reminds you to do it anyways.
#BeYouBeLit reminds you that when you show up for yourself, there will be others who follow. The right ones.

#BeYouBeLit says that when you’re the authentic you, doors of opportunity begin to open and you will start to feel that fresh breeze of peace, order and grace in your life.

#BeYouBeLit is a reminder for me and a reminder for you.
It’s a commitment to strive to become the best version of yourself, and never not show up for you.

I plan on taking this motto with my accompanying apparel and giving it to the whole world, because someone out there needs to know that it starts with them. They need to know that they don’t have to fear being themselves in this world and that there’s always a parade for authentic people. And lastly, someone needs to believe in themselves and know that they can turn a sketch into a brand new reality.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The greatest lesson I’ve learned as an entrepreneur is that the need to do everything perfectly is personally a trauma response and naturally a pathway towards procrastination.

There was a point in my business journey where I was afraid to promote my business online because I didn’t think my content was good enough. There were also times where I wanted to quit because of the stress I felt from not “being on track”. Doing business “the right way” was the biggest mental and emotional threat I’ve had. But earlier this summer I decide to take a break from Lit6 and focus on my side hustles. Before I quit something, l take a break from it and come back to it. And this break has truly brought me more opportunities and peace than I’ve ever had before.

There is no straight path to success in entrepreneurship and you cannot expect to move far if you are afraid to fail. You will succeed your way through trail + errors. Your business will grow through the good and bad quarters. Entrepreneurship is not for the weak in mind or spirit. Entrepreneurship is for those who are willing to take risks, who understand that breaks or pauses are a gift, and for those who have a genuine fire inside of them to do what they do. We are the LIT ones. The crazy, beautiful, motivated ones who are making the creative world go round and find joy in serving others.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

I will always consider my original brainstorming team, Taylor and Blaka, as my cofounders and will continue to give them their credit for literally helping turn an idea and our few sketches into a brand that people love today.

Taylor, with her immense creative abilities, drew up the official Lit6 logo in her iPhone notes app. The confirmation was sent immediately and I’ve stuck beside it ever since.

Blaka has helped the brand evolve with new and improved products thanks to his sense of streetwear fashion, interest in new fashion trends, and his background as a music artist.

Taylor and I met in high school and have been friends for over 10 years now. We shared our pregnancy journeys together in 2020 and are now Moms together, so there is nothing that could divide us. I have witnessed her grow into an amazing person, wife and mother and I couldn’t brag any less about my South African “Child”. Thank you Taylor.

Blaka and I also met over 10 years ago when he and his family moved in next door to mine and somehow, we’ve been inseparable ever since. As a native of Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, I’ve always admired Blaka’s perception of life and his uniqueness; he can take on any pro in the Premier League and then afterwards take on any rapper in the state of Florida. As the father of my child, I can proudly vouch for both statements. Thanks for the lessons, B.

Contact Info:

• Website: HTTPS://www.Instagram.com/thejayco148
• Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/lit6fashions
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watsonj14
• Other: To learn more or listen to BLAKA, subscribe to GRINDMODE523’s YouTube channel or stream his music on all platforms by searching BLAKA1ST or Grindmode523

Image Credits
Samuel Garcia