We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shakeer Bragg a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Shakeer , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you ever had an amazing boss, mentor or leader leading you? Can you us a story or anecdote that helps illustrate why this person was such a great leader and the impact they had on you or their team?

The best boss I’ve ever had is a Renaissance woman. A phenomenal bodyworker, an enthusiast of following the dreams that burn deep inside, and heavily pushed the importance of taking care of myself (mind, body, and spirit) so I can continue to take care of others and continue to do the things I loved doing.

She took me under her wing as a bodyworker to teach me different techniques as well as listening and standing firm in my beliefs but remaining flexible not just in the work we do but in all areas of life. She loved being involved in our lives and asked if anyone needed any assistance in anything in and/or out of work.

There was a time when I told her about my dance crew and some performance opportunities we had coming up she cheered and danced in a circle with so much excitement. Maybe even a little more excitement than I had. I get excited about a lot of things but my tone of voice and facial expression never really quite match SO… (haha) she told me I need to learn how to celebrate myself more. Still learning that. There was a time when I was scolded.

Anytime I didn’t take the time to take care of myself, rest, or go to the doctor whenever I needed to; whatever it was she took me off the schedule till I learned to speak up and say what I needed. Man, that was the hardest thing. I felt like my parents grounded me for what felt like a week. To some, that may not mean anything or it may seem a bit harsh but it was so worth it in the end. I believe that had an impact on my life to take care of me, stand firm in speaking up for what I need, and celebrate myself even by resting sometimes. I am forever grateful to her for that!

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

My name is Shakeer (Shuh-K’ear), I go by Shaks. Your moving and grooving, LMT, energy working, PMU Eyebrow Artist, and Body Butter making, best friend. I’m the owner of F. L. Y. Level LLC. F. L. Y. is an acronym for First Love Yourself. LMT for 14 years, and in the PMU industry for about one year. At F.L.Y. Level I offer Microblading, Powder Brow, Brow Lamination, Lash Lift + Tint on Thursday, and Massage Therapy on “Massage Fridays”. I offer handmade body butters. As well as shower steamers, tub teas, and body scrubs. I am also a dancer/instructor at The Jukebox Grounds and Lady Deadend of Deadend Krump Family. I have been dancing since I was 6 years old.

I got into the PMU/beauty industry because I love helping enhance anyone’s natural beauty and to help them feel good. “How is PMU natural?” sometimes certain things happen where it causes hair loss, long & straight eyelashes that connect to the bottom lashes can irritate the eye, being tired of filling in brows, or simply just wanting to treat oneself PMU or brow lamination can help fill in any sparse areas be it bold, glamorous or even a natural look. Lash Lift + Tint can help give straight lashes a nice bump and curl to open the eye more. It does give the confidence a power-up as well!

We hold so much in our bodies from old injuries, to postural habits, the air we breathe, emotions, etc. Client’s come out different from when they came in and it’s so fun seeing the progression in range of motion or even in the mood. massage therapy helps aid in an increase in circulation and mobility through bodywork to help change someone’s day and I’m for it!

My parents put me in dance because I was extremely shy. I still am shy but not as bad as in my younger years. Now when I dance, although it’s not my sole purpose to do this, if I can get you to wanna get up and dance, make you feel what I feel in that moment, or get you to feel like you’re watching a movie through movement then, … I’m for it! But now I love to do it to ground myself, wiggle, or just two-step with a heavy sway because it feels good to my body.

Some of these modalities I do tie in with each other. Like working on dancers through massage therapy or with aesthetics or when teaching being able to share some massage techniques as well as describing where to initiate a move from what muscle. It’s fun for me and something that helps me learn more about myself in the process.

My schedule is packed and full of blessings upon blessings. A huge accomplishment is was getting my LLC, my proudest moment is putting myself out there as shy as I am, and my proudest moment is being able to speak up and say “No”, “not right now because your girl needs rest”, “can we reschedule” and singing to myself “I’m scared af and I don’t know what I am doing but I’m gonna do it to it anywaaaay”. Haha, It gets the job done sometimes!

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

There have been several podcasts and a few people that have significantly impacted my entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy other than my immediate family. One that got me in the feels good was a YouTube video made by my sister/friend Leah before she decided to go for opening her dance studio.

Although mine wasn’t necessarily a dance studio, it did plant a seed for going for what I want even though the journey is scary at times still go for it and believe in myself and what I have to offer the world. Sometimes I admittedly don’t want to face the world, I do my best to feel what I feel, give myself time, and keep going at my pace. Still learning to enjoy the journey.

There are a couple of podcast that I found especially during quarantine that have helped me. The first that grabbedd me and introduced me to one of the podcasters was “Jesus and Jollof” with Luvvie Ajayi Jones & Yvonne Orji and “ Professional Troublemaker” also with Luvvie Ajayi Jones. Luvvie does touch on fight imposter syndrome and going for your dreams. Her solo podcast brought on other entrepreneurs and asking them plenty of questions that made me think “I CAN DO THIS… It won’t be easy but it won’t be THAT hard either.”

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Overworking is something I had to unlearn, I mean I’m still working on it. I stated about the best boss taking me off the schedule for not taking care of myself. I know im not at my best when im overworking/doing most things. It’s a blessing to be busy and I’m extremely grateful to get my awesome clients along with other opportunities, I’ve received but rest is productive too.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.flylevelllc.com
• Instagram: @FlyxTruly

Image Credits
Johnny Castro, Leah Bancod-Roman, Ashley Hoy, Tristen Young, Shakeer Bragg.