We recently connected with Sabrina Jean Baptiste and have shared our conversation below.

Sabrina, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

I had no idea that I would want to start my own business. I went to school to study mental health counseling so I had a one track mind of only practicing as a therapist. Fast forward to 2020 when Covid hit. At the time, I had my own therapist whom I was discussing with about my coping skills which is to draw and write. I showed her a few of my drawings and she was fascinated by my art work. I honestly did not see it as a big deal (I am my worst critic) and she asked me if I sold them and I replied no. She encouraged to make some income with my art work and I actually was thinking about how other people were coping during the unknown circumstances of the world. I thought about the skills I was teaching my clients which mainly were centered around journaling and that was my “aha” moment. I can use my art work to create journals. I decided that I can use my expertise as a mental health provider to help others manage their mental health through writing especially in our black community where there is a lack of resources in seeking good mental health services as well as ending the stigma about mental health.

I am an impulsive person when I have an idea so I started creating more drawings and ordering new art materials and getting a bunch of free usps packing supplies because I was going to get thousands of customers with this grand idea lol. I researched different vendors for my journals and the best place to create my website. My biggest issue was that I did not have a good foundation, I was just running with an idea ready to quit my day job. I decided to look into getting a mentor to help me build this foundation and develop my business. I found a great mentor that helped me step by step to the point of revamping my entire website and logo. I also found time to write and publish my children’s book “My Black is Gold”. My book is part of my brand to include the little ones that were also struggling during the pandemic.

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

As a mental health counselor, I also had the drive to make a difference in someone’s life. Managing your mental health is just as important as your physical health. You cannot manage one without the other. It was not a huge transition for me to start my brand because I am already in the field. The mission of Blackandexxtraordinary Designs is to manage mental health if therapy is not an option (for now). It takes a big step to find a good therapist to sit down with and expose the good, the bad and the ugly. But there also steps to take even before seeking a provider. That can be through writing, daily affirmations/gratitude, meditation, reading and even aromatherapy. And guess what? Blackandexxtraordinary Designs provides all of these creative products. Not everyone enjoys journal, so I created different products that can address the need of everyone that can use a bit of self care. There is no limitations of what you can do to take care of your mental health.

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

Biggest lesson I had to unlearn is that I have to work 12 hours days to support my business. Kudos to all the business owners that has the ability to work crazy hours but it is not for me. The burnout is real especially when you are just starting a new business and have to keep up with everything. As a small business owner, we wear so many different hats and it seem that there is not enough hours during the day, especially with the different tactics to follow when posting on social media. I have burnt out at least several times and it is not a great feeling. I remind myself to take a time out and things will get done when they need to get done. There is no reward running on an empty battery. Patience is a virtue and it doesn’t hurt to take it easy from time to time.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Honestly my audience was built from posting my different art works and learning how to use hashtags. I also use to use the “boost post” option on Instagram which does not necessarily get you customers but you will pop up on a lot of people news feed. It was a lotttttttt of trial and error. I also connected with people by just adding random people who were artists as well as mental health advocates. I connected with people at different events I participated in which also helped. Consistency is an absolute key. You do not have to post every single day but create a pattern where others can find you. Don’t forget the hashtags (relevant ones)!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.blackandexxtraordinarydesigns.com
• Instagram: @blackandexxtraordinary
• Facebook: Blackandexxtraordinary designs
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@letstalkmentalhealthwithsa5424

Image Credits
Photo 3, 6 and 8 (counting across) were taken by Kym Fajardo-Prospect Park