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

Semaj, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How do you feel about asking friends and family to support your business? What’s appropriate, what’s not? Where do you draw the line?

When I first started my brand I automatically thought family and friends would be my main supporters but it actually turned out to be more strangers that turned into family and friends

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

My name is Semaj , I am 32 years old from Saint Paul. I ended up in the clothing industry on accident honestly I was trying to help someone start their brand and they didn’t really like my ideas so I just ended up using them for myself once a family member first got his equipment for his custom printing shop. I made myself a shirt and some friends were into it and they asked for a shirt n next thing I know this whole clothing brand had formed. I started doing more designing and create more logos with the apps on my phone and was working with a family member to print on T Shirts, sweaters and other apparel for adults and kids.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Funding has been probably the biggest challenge because I use my own money . I work a full time bus driving job so the money I make from there I try to put back into my clothing brand which sometimes can be very difficult to do especially since the pandemic but we are still at it with hopes to find more government funding in the future

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

Most of my business comes from my social media, family, friends, sharing and reposting things that I post about my items that are for sale. Another good option is to run adds on all social platforms. Even if it’s just a couple $ a day it all is worth it because you give people in your city a chance to see what you have going and the people in other states

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.wastedlifemembers.com
• Instagram: Wasted5life
• Facebook: Wasted Life Co