We recently connected with Phyllup “PhyllThaPrynce” Gilbert and have shared our conversation below.

Phyllup “PhyllThaPrynce”, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

Currently launching my business at this time, I wish I would have had this thought sooner. For years I have been trying to figure out what talents I was given by God. I always knew I was a creative type of person, but I had no clue how far my power and resources were. It took me to move to new cities and network with others with observing different types of creative ideas from others to really channel what my ultimate goals were. As years grew, I noticed that lots of people were putting their minds and talents into hobbies, side hustles, and attaining businesses. When I noticed this, I told myself that I too would like to start a business, but what would I do that’s simple and would entice others to buy? Recently I came up with the idea to start my own custom t-shirt printing business. I used to have lots of t-shirts made from other vendors, but they were so expensive. I said I would love to start a business of the same and give to consumption at lower prices, especially with the way the economy is going. I mean everyone likes a custom shirt with a slogan or funny comment on it. Also businesses or companies need shirt printers too. So I made it my point to create a business that I both loved doing and could make a potential great profit from. I wish I would have thought of this sooner and at this point I may have had a store front, but it’s never too late to start something because everything happens at the right timing.

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

I’m from a small city by the name of Beaumont, TX which is about an hour from Houston. When I graduated from high school, my first thought was move to a bigger city and go to college. So I moved to houston and graduated with a degree in communications and stayed in houston for another 15 years. Living there was great, but I felt like something was missing and I needed more. I decided after that I would love to Atlanta where I got more of my inspiration. There was so much hustle and networking there that I got into all types of things. I started on the radio and made the name PhyllThaPrynce while being an on air personality, then got into fashion and had to step my game up, then found a reality series by the name of On The Way Up Atlanta where I showcased more of my life and talents, became a brand ambassador and face for a black owned clothing brand by the name of TaeDesignz and still didn’t feel like I was doing enough. As I thought more and more I said I love fashion, I’m now a public figure, my followers were going up, huge socialite, Influencer, and combined all of that to make the decision to start this business. I decided to name my business after my branded new house name and call it Prints By Prynce. I’m most proud of myself because I built my brand on my own, moved and networked on my own and started this business on my own. My mother is now assisting me with my business, but being this is my first time ever doing something like this in life, I am so proud of me and the goals I am reaching. I hope to meet more people and inspire others to keep going and never give up on their dreams because it can be done.

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

I really had to take the “I’m too old to” out of my vocabulary. I’m 37 years old and I try to rush at everything now because I feel like I’m getting older and I need to hurry and get things done. I have had to unlearn that getting older and letting life pass you by is a myth unless you aren’t doing anything with your life. I have had to really embrace that you are never too old or against timing to start something whether it’s school, a new job, or even a business. The sky is the limit, but you can’t limit yourself and what you are capable of doing for that to be a true statement.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I fund my business. I don’t have grants, loans, gofundme, cash apps from friends and family, just every penny out of my pocket. This includes machines, materials, programs, etc. when it has come to funding and building my business. I don’t owe anyone for anything and I don’t ask for handouts either. I am so blessed and fortunate that I am able to start my own business without having to fund it with owing people or banks or loan companies. It’s not as hard as it sounds but the only person I’m having to worry about on an investing my business is myself and it feels good to own your own business right out without a middleman or back man to tell you how to run your business because you owe them back. I own 100% of my own business.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: PhyllThaPrynce
• Facebook: PhyllThaPrynce
• Twitter: PhyllThaPrynce
• Other: business email: [email protected]

Image Credits
On The Way Up Atlanta Prints By Prynce Tae Designz