We recently connected with Verbal Slick and have shared our conversation below.
Verbal, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, what do you think about family businesses? Would you want your children or other family members to one day join your business?
Some say family and business doesn’t mix. Through dedication and hard work we have discovered and more importantly, appreciated the ingredients that create our unique palette of talents. Although working closely together has presented its fair share of challenges, we’ve relied on the fundamentals of mutual respect, understanding and teamwork.
The duration of our professional careers have been in various roles spanning the gamut of race, social status and ideologies. Daily commutes, being micro-managed, and lackluster salaries are arguably harder to deal with then the temperaments of our own children, our team and one another. Our work became profitable and advantageous when we decided to build our legacy with those we call family rooted in love and trust, with a common goal to enrich our lives while creating a legacy for future generations.
Verbal, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
We started on separate entertainment paths, in front and behind the camera. Spinxx as a Spoken Word Artist and VJ as a Talent, Production and Project Manager. As we both evolved creatively, our skillsets grew into what we envisioned as a viable business. Our business model has been crafted around our creative, strategic and management skills. We often engage with clients who have a vision for their brand and are in need of a team to plan and manage that vision to increase engagement and build awareness thru the multicultural lens. As a boutique agency, we take great pride in executing our Clients’ campaigns which oftentimes result from casual conversation. We focus on quality, not quantity and our attention to detail coupled with quick response time has assisted us greatly in forging strong business partnerships.
We are most proud of the reputation we have built in the Entertainment landscape focusing on targeted marketing. Specifically, our HBCU campaigns are very special. Over the course of our career, we have been able to work with over 40+ HBCUs bringing quality activations and opportunities. We are both products of our beloved Dillard University in New Orleans, Lousiana and take pride in fostering relationships with Film, Television, and Streaming Giants and our HBCU and Divine Nine Family. Spinxx is a brother of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated and VJ is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and both pledged at Dillard University.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
We were operating our business in New Orleans and were faced with the loss of a large revenue producing client. Coupled with being threatened with a legal battle, we felt like small fish in a large pond. Instead of focusing on the problem, we were laser focused on a solution. To acquire new clients, we devised a strategy to canvas the city, knocking on doors and introducing ourselves to a customer base that in our eyes were being overlooked. Understanding the culture of the city and how it relates to tourism, we were able to offer social media and graphic design servies to small local business to increase their bottom line. Our quick thinking provided “light at the end of the tunnel”, but our unwavering faith and belief in one another was the fuel needed to keep the fire going. The issue was resolved without legal proceedings as we were able to produce iron clad records that shot down the frivolous lawsuit. We learned to approach future obstacles in the spirit of David vs Goliath and remember that regardless of hurdle, no hand is large enough to block the Sun.
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
We simply started with enough money to purchase the domain name. We used our savings from our 9-5 jobs as a funding source to cover expenses for foundational paperwork, permits and fees. Many aspiring entrepreneurs delay the birth of their business ideas due to misconceptions about start up capital. We believe the most vital funding comes in the form of sweat equity. Each business is different in form and function and will require varying amounts of capital to get started and remain viable. The first step is much more important than the first purchase order/invoice.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.verbalslick.com
- Instagram: @verbalslick
- Facebook: Verbal Slick
Image Credits
Verbal Slick