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

Stazhia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

My favorite color is blue, so there’s that. lol

I love Humming birds, I think they are such a beautiful and interesting bird. I use to resonate with them as a kid because they were small and hard to catch. Being small in frame and sometimes completely off everyone’s radar was very much like me. I also use to walk really fast, I’d zoom through the halls at school to get where I was going (but also to avoid bullies unfortunately) Humming birds moves so fast they hover! How neat, but also like a Humming bird, when you are able to truly see them or you happen to see them about, it is a delight. I always felt that like the bird, when people have or take the opportunity to really see me as me, they will like me a lot. I recently had a discussion with a bird watcher who introduced me to a Violet Sabrewing humming bird and think that’s my favorite one going forward. Such beauty!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

The Blue Hummingbird began from a need to calm a very anxious and creative spirit. I had a desire to outwardly express myself through art while brining peace inwardly. I enjoy being a maker and making what ever brings joy to me and sharing those pieces with others. Whether that be through my painting, jewelry making, or whatever speaks to me. I hope that my customers buy my pieces with the intent to feel similar positive feelings.

I started with selling my small wall art, 8×10 pieces, I’ve now moved on to creating handmade earrings.

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

When it comes to talents and the things I love to do. I had to unlearn wanting to be and fit in every damn where. I needed to be more confident in myself so that I can define who I am. I’ve always shied away from truly defining myself in any realm. I wanted to always be fluid, I wanted to be air, I wanted to fit and mold anywhere. I’ve always believed i could learn and excel at anything if I truly tried. I found, however, by doing this, I was sometimes placing myself in a position to be joyless and never tapping into my true potential, my real gifts. There have been so many times that I’ve suppressed myself or my gifts because I didn’t want to stand there, I didn’t want to be solid and build on what really made me happy.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Whenever I’ve needed to start or needed help, my friends and family have always supported my dreams. If it wasn’t for my family, my friends and their support, them pushing me to get out there, I wouldn’t have even started. Over the years, they have always supported my goals and business, aiding me and giving me the capital and tools I need to launch. I sometimes struggle with “the ask” part of anything so, to have someone simply do it because they see my desire to do this, is a deep love and care. I have so much gratitude for them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/thebluehummingbird8
• Instagram: @thebluehumm
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/FmL2yJwPvHs

Image Credits
Reaunna Sledge – Vending at Fundraiser event Self : Sanding pieces a mask on Resin coating new pieces Pieces from online collections