Today we’d like to introduce you to LaDedra Shackleford.
Hi LaDedra, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I realized I was “different” at a very young age but just didn’t realize “creative” was what it was called back then. Growing up in a town with a population of fewer than 2,000 people, two stoplights and one grocery store forced me to tap into my creativity in ways that would later birth some of my most successful endeavors. Before social media and cell phones, there were homemade games and outdoor activities; you know, really fun that so many will never have a chance to experience nowadays thanks to the world of advanced technology. I digress. Fast forward to adulthood, my creativity didn’t leave but instead expanded into various areas; the first of which included real estate. Being one of the youngest women at the time to hold a real estate license, I knew I had to find a way to stand out.
I decided to use humor because that’s what came naturally to me. Before videos ever became popular, I created funny but educational skits portraying real-life situations in the world of real estate. It was scary, but it was also a big hit. Most of the videos went viral and allowed me to build a successful 10-year career from word of mouth. Let’s face it though, everything has a season, and for me, 10-years was enough. In 2020 in the midst of a pandemic, I finally said goodbye to real estate. The stress of it all had taken its toll and I no longer had a passion for it. But then there came the obvious question of, “what the heck are you going to do for money?” Well, here’s the thing about being creative. We literally have the ability to manifest something out of nothing. Years prior, I had the bright idea of starting a t-shirt line simply because I would post so much on Facebook until I started thinking some of those posts needed to be on a shirt. It was just a thought back then and I didn’t feel the greenlight to birth the vision.
However, around September of 2020, I experienced a really emotionally challenging time. While going through the process of healing through this traumatic experience, I felt the nudge to create again. I felt the strong desire to begin my apparel line with only two statements I had in mind from the years prior. Something happened however when I started designing. I started getting numerous downloads of sayings for t-shirts. Through divine guidance, I learned how to utilize complicated design software, learned printing methods, inventory management, and payment processing all in three weekends, I went from knowing nothing about the apparel industry to officially launching a brand on October 31, 2020. It was literally a miracle. Little did I know, I was actually healing through creativity. Fast forward to doubling sales every month and seeing my shirts on people all over social media, I am truly humbled and still in awe of how it all happened.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Funny you asked. It certainly hasn’t been the smoothest. In fact, as we speak I am experiencing one of the worst imaginable hurdles thus far. Since 98% of my business is produced through social media advertising, It is literally how the business thrives. Unfortunately, Facebook and Apple, Inc. decided to get into a war right when It felt like I was on top! I had quit my part-time job and everything just knowing this was my ticket back to full-time self-employment.
To spare you the boring technicalities of the situation, let’s just say most of the advertisers worldwide who were once making a killing online are now barely surviving. It was a hard blow, but it taught me the importance of knowing how to pivot and not put all my eggs in one basket. Yes, online advertising was the most efficient method, but until they get whatever figured out they need to, I’m over here shifting and adjusting. I honestly don’t have it figured out just yet, but I am blessed to have a massive email list and repeat buyer base while I do so.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Some of the things I’ve done aside from owning my apparel line have been creating a media platform called LaDedra Renea TV where I provide thought-provoking and entertaining content to the masses. I am known for my sense of humor while also inspiring and motivating others to be great.
In the past, I also developed a coaching program called Motivation to move where I used my gift of activating others to move forward into their purpose. It is a gift and I am grateful to simply be used as a vessel.
I am also a professional videographer and editor, musician (drummer) & athlete (basketball). Believe it or not, I used to be embarrassed to be a multi-gifted individual. I hid my talents for years not realizing that it was okay to be able to do more than one thing.
I believe what sets me apart from others is my willingness to be authentic. I say what others are thinking and simply don’t have a desire to put on a mask for anyone. What you see and hear is what you get.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Family definitely matters most to me. I love my family unconditionally and they love me the same. Where else can you find that type of love? I am grateful beyond measure to have parents and a younger brother that has always shown me what it means to be loved. (Except for the time my brother made me sprain my ankle, dislocated my shoulder, and ruptured a tendon in my finger causing me to never be able to bend it properly ever again.) But who remembers those things? Not me! I enjoy the simple things in life like getting together for family dinners, cook-outs, and game nights.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@candorcoapparel.com
- Website: www.candorcoapparel.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/candorcoapparel
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/candorcoapparel
