Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Villa Dom. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Villa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
Lil Villa Publishing is very much a mission driven company. I created Lil Villa Publishing when I was 16, out of the heartache of entering a record deal and not receiving any publishing. The feeling of not having ownership of something I created yet someone else getting paid for it gave me a sick to my stomach feeling. Although I was young I vowed I would never allow myself to be in that position again, especially if it is because of a lack of being knowledgable of the business I wanted to be involved in.
Starting the company help me began my mission of ownership and building a legacy for my family that is not about fame but acquiring real equity. The mission became knowledge and empowerment. We often give our power away because we might not understand it at the moment. We might not know how to apply our skills, until we are guided or taught to. The mission of Lil Villa Publishing is to help individuals learn their power and how to imply it. Using my gift in being a creator helps me to spread knowledge and the message through different forms of media where we can control our narratives.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’ve been in love with music since they been running electricity from the light pole to the park to juice up the speakers. At 16 I started to really pursue music got my 1st management deal then signed an independent record deal a year later. I’ve seen both the major and independent side of this music business. The independent route always seem more empowering to me as this is the path I choose for my music career.
I am a solo artist but I have manage to be apart of some mega Hip Hop groups. The first one Litta Buggz from the Drama Klub family, then I furthered my music catalog when I was asked to join Brooklyn’s super group Ghetto Mentality. Since then I have secured major placements in movies, television, Host a popular radio show with my brother and business partner Smiz the Moneykid called “Morning Cook up Show” that was part of a syndicated radio network. “Fatherhood at 19…No Tutorial Books” is my 1st self-published memoir from the Lil Villa Publishing imprint about Fatherhood and my efforts to make Fatherhood a bigger conversation. This year makes 4 years since I started my merchandising apparel company “Cloth Royalty that promotes empowerment and ownership, while also using our clothing to present messages of Motivation/Inspiration.
The main thing I would like any potential Fans, Clients or Followers to know about me, my work ethic and my brand is that empowering ourselves and each other allows us to be our greatest selfs! Any Music, Stage show, Radio show, Book, Merchandise, Community Program or anything I’m involved in or put together is to make sure we as Men, Families, Creators and Entrepreneurs is not only something I Ancestors would be proud of buy the legacy steps for our future generations to stand on, while at the same time inspiring them to be their best selves.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
A story I can share they may share a peak into my resilience is during a period in my personal and professional career were I had to make a choice between the two or learn how to balance them. I Have 3 Children and the last child is my 1st Daughter. When My Wife was pregnant with our Daughter I was in the middle of recording my debut solo album or finishing it up, All on my company Lil Villa Publishing and Fifth Quarter my business partner Madd Mann production company. I was also in my 1st year of college pursuing my Bachelors in Business Entertainment, the president of an entertainment company as well as big family man.
Talk about time crunch and schedule management, I use to fall a sleep at my Mac, Spent so much time with my computer I named her Applelonia lol. Still present in other faucets of my life and being present in my business, the feeling over overwhelming yet feeling alive was with me most of the time.. I’ve walked out of college once it was not an option this time! Signing a deal and pushing my album through a major medium is easy but do I want to comprise the independent portfolio I’m building were I obtain more equity and really build legacy.
I mention this story because most of us are consumed with the thought of making a living but are not living what we truly want. It takes time, sacrifice, pain, happiness! It takes long nights, long highway trips, flights at midnight, bunking on your peoples couch when your in town for a show for one night. Your story will always tell if you were up to doing what was and is needed to live the life you want to lead.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
One of my side hustles that turned into a full fledged business is one of my babies ( as a business) Cloth Royalty. My Brother and other business partner M One Six would outsource most of our merchandise needs for shows and other events. We often would put the merchandise together ourselves. In doing so My brother M One Six already having his own apparel company, suggested I create my own that would satisfy the needs of my current businesses while at the same time creating a whole new revenue source. Cloth Royalty was born and is going on it’s 4th year in business, currently furthering the brand with Ambassador collections from other brands.
Contact Info:
- Website: Fatherhoodat19.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilvillapub
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilvillapub/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lilvillapub
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtd7j6bgJulj51MMXO4FcaQ
- Other: Villa Dom Fenix App: https://villadom.fenix.band/ Audius music links: Villa Dom: https://audius.co/villadom
Image Credits
Black Encryptions, Lil Villa Publishing