Author: Alyse Nicole

How to Prepare for ACL Festival

Posted on by Alyse Nicole

How to Prepare for ACL Festival

 

It’s festival season! So here’s some last minute tips on how to prepare for ACL Festival to help out this year’s attendees. Keep reading for all the things I wish I knew before going.

 

What to Wear

Of course everyone wants to dress their best, but do yourself a favor and wear comfy cute clothes, like a tank top and shorts. Whatever you do, DON’T WEAR HEELS! I saw it with my own eyes, people not realizing how much walking was involved or that you’re literally out there for an entire day. Save yourself and your feet by just saying no. You may get away with some brands of cowboy boots, but think more like cute sneakers or even something you don’t mind getting dirty.

Consider bringing a towel or bandana because you’re 100% going to sweat, and you’ll need something to wipe it off. You can even wear the bandana as a headband to catch sweat going into your face while still looking kind of cute.

 

Prepare for the Weather

Though ACL Fest is in October, it’s still going to be hot because Texas. Plus, there’s literally thousands of people around you putting off massive body heat. So dress light, drink lots of water, and since you’ll be outside for a full day, apply and reapply sunscreen.

There will be stations for you to refill your water bottle. So bring one or purchase one there. Also, not weather related, but don’t try to sneak in alcohol. They will find it!

 

Download the App

The ACL Fest app is very convenient and helps make sure you don’t miss anyone you wanted to see. It shows you who’s performing when on what stage, and you can mark the shows you’re interested in so you don’t forget. It also shows where everything is located, like the water stations, the VIP or GA+ sections, special pop-ups, etc. It’s nice to have, and you can just delete it right after til next year.

 

Free $5 from American Express

If you have an American Express card, you can link it to your wristband and receive a $5 credit to use for food, drinks, merch, whatever! You’ll also be able to use your wristband to make all your purchases while you’re there. So, there’s no need to bring cash or your card to accidentally lose in the sea of people around you.

Tyler, the Creator’s 2024 performance

What to Bring

Bring a small backpack or drawstring bag with you to hold water, a towel or bandana, a portable charger, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, deodorant, etc. Yes, you read that correctly. BRING DEODORANT! Again, it’s going to be hot. You’ll more than likely sweat off your deodorant, even your antiperspirant. So, bring it with you to reapply as needed.

You may be able to get free canned or bottled water at some booths. Get it, and put it in your bag for later. Be sure to drink plenty of water while you’re there.

 

More Bang for Your Buck

Regardless of what wristband level you had this year, I strongly suggest getting the GA+ wristbands. They don’t cost much more than the GA wristbands, and you get access to a shaded sitting area with a huge screen to watch shows while you cool down. In this area, there’s also private air conditioned restrooms, food vendors, and a bar. Oh, and did I mention all the free water you can drink??

I know VIP has more bells and whistles, but if you want to fully experience the actual festival, GA+ is all you need. Just pop into the private section for a bit to rest and recharge. Then, get back out there to enjoy the shows!

These are just a few tips I wanted to share to make sure you had the best experience possible at this year’s ACL Festival. Also, remember. If you’re feeling under the weather, please stay home. Yours and everyone else’s health and safety are more important than a wasted wristband or missing some music acts. Stay safe and smart, and hopefully I’ll meet you by the flags at ACL Festival 2025!

 

Easy One Pan Breakfast Casserole

Posted on by Alyse Nicole

Easy One Pan Breakfast Casserole

 

This one pan breakfast casserole with sausage is very easy, and you can easily customize it by adding other ingredients. The sausage almost makes a crust at the bottom, giving your taste buds a nice surprise! 

 

 

Last weekend, my husband asked if I could whip up some breakfast for us and my mother-in-love, who’s visiting us. I knew we had some eggs we needed to get rid of, and we just bought sausage on our last grocery trip. So, I had the idea to make some kind of quiche. Mind you, I’ve never made a quiche before. So once I saw the time it took, I decided to go another route, making a quiche-like dish, which I settled on calling a casserole.

To lock in my idea, I scoured the fridge to see what all I could add. What I found was shredded cheese, campari tomatoes, and a bit of salsa, I liked where this was going and didn’t want to make it too complex. So, I settled on those ingredients. Making this was basically a shot in the dark since I was just winging the whole thing, but luckily, it turned out great, and was hubby and mother-in-love approved.

I finished the meal by just making a slice of toast for each of us, and I made us a Pineapple Fizz, which is just pineapple juice and Sprite. You can also substitute the Sprite for ginger ale, or you can add sparkling wine for a fancy mimosa. 

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One Pan Breakfast Casserole

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This one pan breakfast casserole with sausage is very easy, and you can easily customize it by adding other ingredients. This dish would be perfect for breakfast or brunch!

  • Author: Alyse Nicole
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 people
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 8 oz sausage (choose your spice level)
  • 6 large eggs
  • ½ cup mild salsa
  • 2 campari tomatoes
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • seasoning (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Heat pan and add sausage. Set burner on medium high heat, and place plan on burner. Once the pan is hot, add sausage.
  2. Cook sausage until brown. Break the into crumbles with your preferred cooking utensil (I used a spatula), and cook the sausage until brown.
  3. Beat and season eggs. While the sausage is browning, beat eggs and add your preferred seasoning. I used Sooo Matcha Soul seasoning from Caribreoso Flavor Boutique.
  4. Add eggs to pan. Add eggs to pan with sausage, distributing them evenly. Then let them cook for a few seconds.
  5. Add salsa and tomatoes and let cook. Evenly pour salsa. Then add tomatoes, and let cook for 5 minutes, never stirring the ingredients.
  6. Preheat oven. While the casserole cooks, preheat oven to 400°.
  7. Add cheese, and place casserole in oven. Sprinkle ½ cup shredded cheese on top of casserole, and place casserole in the oven, cooking for 15 minutes.
  8. Cook 15 minutes then in 5 minute intervals until done. Check after 15 minutes. If the eggs aren't fully cooked, continue to cook in 5 minute intervals until done. I cooked mine for 10 additional minutes following the initial 15 minutes.
  9. Slice and serve immediately. Remove from oven, slice into eighths, and immediately serve.

I also recommend making this one pan breakfast casserole for brunch. It’s very easy and relatively fast to put together and cook. You can even make different variations for your breakfast and brunch guests to have  options. I plan to add spinach in the future to see how that meshes. The options are virtually limitless for this dish!

 

 

 

 

Thank you for checking out my recipe! Let me know how it turns out for you and if you customize it at all.

 

6 Unique Glamping Experiences to Book this Fall

Posted on by Alyse Nicole

6 Unique Glamping Experiences to Book this Fall

 

Though  COVID travel precautions and requirements are slowly leaving, several people are still leery of traveling. So, I compiled a list of 6 beautiful, unique glamping ideas to allow you to travel while still keeping your distance from the masses.

The below properties are located across basically every region in the contiguous US. So, it’s likely you’ll find one within a decent driving distance from your home. Without further ado, here’s my suggestions of 6 unique glamping experiences to book this Fall.

 

1. The Spyglass: Fredericksburg, TX

This unique structure is part of multiple dwellings on a property near downtown Fredericksburg. Visitors say it’s close enough to enjoy downtown while still feeling like you’re in the middle of nowhere.

The Spyglass’s cylindrical build is very astonishing, and the interior design is no different. Starting with the built in hot tub, to the kitchenette and the bathroom, it’s like a luxury suite in the woods.

Be sure to check out the other properties on the grounds with the Spyglass as well. They were all constructed to amaze!

 

2. Getaway House: New Orleans

One of Getaway House’s newest outposts, Getaway Homochitto, opened to guests in January 2022. Actually located 2 hours outside of New Orleans in Meadville, MS, this destination is perfect for those needing to disconnect for a while.

There’s no wi-fi, and cell service isn’t guaranteed. A lockbox is even available for you to place your phone during your stay to ensure you have no distractions and can fully enjoy this experience.

 

3. Cloud Dome Treehouse: Campton, KY

You can knock off 2 glamping bucket list items by staying at the Cloud Dome Treehouse, which is a geodesic dome as well as a treehouse nestled high in the canopy of trees at the Red River Gorge in Campton, KY.

This dwelling is actually part of a treehouse village called Dome Town, which consists of 3 domes connected by rope bridges. Cloud Dome is the highest, hence the name. However, each dome has a unique view of the stunning gorge.

 

4. Willow Treehouse: Willow, WY

A one of a kind, geometric, custom built guest house imagined by Antony Gibbon Designs, the Willow Treehouse is a highly sought after getaway destination. It’s a lofted property just 15 minutes away from Woodstock, NY, and overlooks a pond.

The sleeping loft has windows on 3 sides as well as a nearby skylight, supplying you with a nearly 360 degree view of the land. It’s advised to pack lightly since you’ll be walking into the property as well as climbing up to the sleeping loft.

Also, this place sells out fast. So unfortunately, it may already be booked for the year by the time this post goes live.

 

5. The Missing Peace Chalet: Innsbrook, MO

The “Missing Peace” is an A-frame chalet located near 2 lakes (Aspen and St Gallen). Enjoy the Innsbrook leaves in the Fall, ice skating in the winter, and festivals in the summer.

The chalet holds up to 5 guests, with 3 beds (one being a sofa bed). So, it would be great for families.

 

6. ShangriLaLa Tiny House: Topanga, CA

Nestled in a sanctuary garden, the ShangriLaLa provides the perfect balance of indoor/outdoor living. The floor to ceiling windows make the home feel much more open, and the outdoor bathroom gives you the feeling of a tropical escape.

Due to the long, unrailed pathway leading to the house, guests are encouraged to pack light to ease their walk. This location is also not accessible to wheelchairs.

 

I hope you enjoyed my list of 6 unique glamping experiences to book in 2022. If so, stay tuned for my list of breathtaking rental houses across the US coming soon.

Have you visits any unique glamping or camping sights? Let me know in the comments.

 

Photos courtesy of Airbnb.

 

 

Hard Blueberry Lemonade

Posted on by Alyse Nicole

Hard Blueberry Lemonade


Hey y’all!  Welcome to my new series, Summer Sips, where I will share cocktail recipes featuring local or up-and-coming wines and spirits. Not to worry, though. If these brands aren’t available near you, there are other alternatives.

So lately, we’ve been regularly keeping alcohol stocked in the house, partly due to being partnered with a few brands, and partly from us actually purchasing it. Because of the increase, though, we’ve been getting more creative with our recipes. Then I thought why not share them with you!

Today’s recipe will be a hard blueberry lemonade made with Bomade vodka, a lemonade vodka infused with organic lemons, that recently became available in the Austin area. Oh, and did I mention it’s Black owned? This vodka is so smooth and light that it’s almost dangerous! The refreshing lemon flavor helps the vodka effortlessly blend with most mixes. To get your hands on a bottle, click here to check its available locations or to request it in your area. Now, let’s get to the recipe.

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Hard Blueberry Lemonade

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This is a simple, refreshing drink to end an evening or to serve while entertaining. You can also interchange the berries and sparkling water to make it your own.

  • Author: Alyse Nicole
  • Prep Time: 1 minute
  • Total Time: 2 minutes
  • Yield: 1 glass
  • Category: Drinks

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup blueberries (rinsed)
  • ice
  • 2 oz Bomade vodka
  • 1 can Sanpellegrino Limonata sparkling water
  • garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. crush bluberries In a highball glass, add blueberries. Then crush blueberries with wooden spoon.
  2. add ice Fill glass with ice.
  3. add vodka Pour Bomade vodka over ice.
  4. fill with Sanpellegrino Finally, fill rest of glass with Sanpellegrino.
  5. stir Lightly stir with wooden spoon.
  6. garnish You can stop there, or you can garnish the drink with mint.

Once when I made this, I had a little peppermint left in my garden, one of the only plants that actually grew. So, I just added that for a little razzle dazzle.

Now all that’s left is to sit back and enjoy. Get you a good book, turn on some mellow tunes in the background, and take in the vibes.

Thanks for tuning into my first Saturday Sip! I hope you liked the recipe. If you tried it, let me know. If you post it on social media, be sure to tag me @alysenicole85 and @bomadetexas for a shout out! Bye bye for now. See you at the next sip!

 

 

 

 

2022 One Room Challenge: Week 4

Posted on by Alyse Nicole

Spring 2022 One Room Challenge: Week 4

 

We’re at the halfway mark of the 10th anniversary One Room Challenge! Week 4 came and went before I knew it, and with it came another design change.

So, this week’s to-do list included pricing wood, buying the tile, and painting the walls. How many of these tasks did I complete you ask? Zero! Absolutely none of them! I did work on the room, though, just not on what I said I’d do.

 


As I’ve said before, this room needs a lot of foundational work before any pretty stuff can start. So I ended up being in the thick of figuring out how to fix/replace the moulding on the doorframe without having to replace the whole thing. That would need to be done before painting starts on that wall.

I’ve also decided to change the tile on the accent wall (where the washer and dryer are). Though the tile itself was a reasonable price for my budget, the shipping cost was not! So, I’m going to have to find something at Home Depot with free in-store pickup or free shipping because the budget comes first!

 

 

Since I didn’t do anything in the laundry room, I started back on the entryway, figuring out how I wanted our gallery wall. I also wanted to share pics of how it currently looks since you’ve never seen it at it’s current phase. So, those are the photos you see throughout this blog post.

 

 

Next week is William’s birthday. So, I don’t imagine I’ll get a whole lot of work done then because I’m a BIG birthday freak! I love celebrating birthdays, whether it’s mine, a loved one, or just a random person I see celebrating their birthday. Every year we’re still here is a gift. So we should honor that and celebrate it to maximum capacity!

 

 

Anywho, with that being said, I’m still stacking on the tasks for next week because I need to play catch up a bit. So, please hold me accountable to complete them!

 

 

Well, that’s it for this week’s updates. Here’s to a more visibly productive week next week and a happy birthday for my hubby. 😊

Also, remember to check out the other participants on the One Room Challenge blog!

 

2022 One Room Challenge: Week 3

Posted on by Alyse Nicole

Spring 2022 One Room Challenge: Week 3

 

Well well well, looks like it’s week 3 already. Seems like it was just 4 days ago when I posted my week 2 blog (because it was).

Weeks 2 and 3 kind of merged together because I started week 2’s tasks a few days before the week was over. So, here’s the progress from week 3.

 


So, if you saw my original mood board or have been following along on Instagram, you saw that I found my dream washer and dryer set that I didn’t even know existed. It was a brushed black Samsung set with all the bells and whistles. They’re truly beautiful! They were on sale for $798 each at Home Depot, and we were looking around hoping to find them for an even lower price.

Then, I was scrolling through Facebook on my work break and saw that one of my friends was moving and selling her basically new set for just $200! That’s the price for both, together!

 

 

Installing the new appliances, the actual process of hooking them up, wasn’t hard. The hard part was lugging these gargantuan things from the garage into the laundry room!

On a regular day, this is about a 2 step walk, but while dollying and maneuvering this 5’ tall washer and dryer, it was about 55 steps each! Did I mention there’s a step up from the garage to the laundry room?? Luckily William was able to borrow a dollie. Otherwise, they’d still be in the same spot! Oh, and shout out to our friend Mike for helping William get them out the truck. I definitely couldn’t help with that at ALL!

 

 

Now, in a perfect world, I wouldn’t have been worn out and would’ve painted the wall before we put the washer and dryer in the room, but this isn’t a perfect world. So, we- I’ll just have to deal with it. Hopefully it won’t be too hard or terrible.

As far as cleaning, the floors are completely clean now. So much so, that I haven’t let the dogs back in there yet. Now that the grout is dry, it actually does look like when the floors were first done. All it took was some toilet cleaner and a little bit of elbow grease!

The walls on the other hand . . . let’s just say they need a bit more work.

It’s been a while since I actually designed our laundry room makeover. I was just doing it as a type of daydreaming thing. Then our washer went out about a month ago, and I had my chance to make it a reality. When we started looking for a new washer, I saw it was time to register for the Spring round of the One Room Challenge for this year. So I pounced on the opportunity without a second thought!

 

 

Since it had been a while since I came up with the original mood board, though, some of the materials were sold out or just no longer sold altogether, the most important being the rug. So, that was part of my mission this week, finding a new rug that fit the room and also went with the new washer and dryer that also weren’t part of the original plan.

 

 

So, behold my new design idea for the laundry room. It’s mostly the same idea, just rotated and adjusted here and there. It should make for a good adventure, but before we can get to the cute stuff, we need to fix/replace these door mouldings and tear some stuff up.

In other words, I’ll see you next week for week 4’s progress report. Let’s hope I keep my promise of posting on time. Also, remember to check out the other participants one the One Room Challenge blog!

2022 One Room Challenge: Week 2

Posted on by Alyse Nicole

Spring 2022 One Room Challenge: Week 2

 

I promise to post on time next week! 😩

It’s week 2 of the Spring ‘22 One Room Challenge, and my entire design is about to change because of this great deal I got on a new washer and dryer! More about that next week.

 


This week, I didn’t really do much, just found the new laundry set and started cleaning the laundry room this morning so we can put the appliances in tomorrow. In my mind, I thought I’d paint the wall today too, but that grout scrubbing (see pictures) wore me out!

I saw a hack a few years ago to use toilet bowl cleaner on your grout (and a bunch of other places) for a deep clean. I use to do it as a spot treatment and clean it up with our steam mop, but our mop fell victim to this hard Texas water. So it’s been a while since I’ve done this.

 


Since it had been so long, I thought I’d treat the whole floor. So I went to work covering every centimeter of grout with the cleaner. I waited 10 minutes then scrubbed it with a brush. Then, I waited another 10 minutes before removing it. When the second 10 minute marker came, I realized I had no clue how to get this stuff off the floor. We don’t have a conventional mop, just one of those in the style of a Swiffer.

After thinking for a sec, I said it’s time to go old school. So I pulled out the biggest bowl I could find and one of our kitchen towels on its last leg and began scrubbing the floor, tile by tile. I worked my way from the front right corner all the way to the back left corner. Afterwards, I mopped the entire floor with Swiffer’s cousin, just to make sure I got everything up.

 


What was left was a new, squeaky clean floor. It’s not as white as it used to be, but it’s leaps and bounds better than before I cleaned it!

Next week’s projects will be a bit more fun.  They include redesigning the room, possibly painting, and finding a rug. For real time updates, tune into my stories on Instagram! See you next week for my Week 3 update, and be sure to check out the other One Room Challenge participants here!

2022 One Room Challenge Week 1

Posted on by Alyse Nicole

Spring 2022 One Room Challenge: Week 1

 

AHHH!!! I’m so excited!!! I get to participate during the 10th anniversary of the One Room Challenge!!! This year, I’m going to try my best to document everything on my blog, as well as Instagram.

I attempted to document my Spring 2020 challenge here after the fact but failed epically. In my defense, I had just started this blog and was still working out the kinks, as well as discovering my writing style. So, maybe I’ll give it another shot now that I know myself.

Anywho, you’re not here for that existential babble. You want to know what room I’m working on and what my design idea is. So, let’s get to it!


For the Spring challenge, I’ll be finishing our entryway (yes the entryway from the Fall 2020 challenge 🙄) AND reviving our laundry room!

I shared my mood board in my stories on Instagram, and only 14% of the participants guessed that it was for the laundry room. I get it though. Who cares what a laundry room looks like? It’s not like we’re  hanging out in there, reading and the like, but what if part of what makes laundry so unbearable is because of how the room looks?

Usually, laundry rooms are pretty neglected, with dust everywhere from the dryer lint, maybe a cobweb in the corner, plain white walls, etc., but I want every room in our home to have a personality, a story even, and yes. That includes the laundry room. Plus our poor laundry room has been THROUGH it because it’s the dogs’ room.

It’s where Riggs and Murtaugh (bonus points if you get their names) eat, where they stay while we’re out if the weather’s bad outside, and sometimes where they go for time out when they’re acting up. YES, WE PUT OUR DOGS IN TIME OUT! Moving on.

 

 

Because of this, though, the room is even dirtier because they drag in dirt from outside and just reek havoc in there sometimes! Plus, when Riggs was little, he had separation issues. So, he decided to try and eat his way out the room one day while we were gone. He literally ate part of the doorframe, the drywall under it, AND chewed on the beam inside the wall!

 

He luckily is past that now, and they don’t dirty the place up as much anymore either. So, I plan to repair/replace the doorframe, deep clean the room, and somewhat doggy proof it, while making it a bit more modern and fun.

Hopefully you stick around to see the magic happen. To see it in real time, tune in to my stories on Instagram, and also be sure to check out the other participants on the One Room Challenge blog! See you next week!

 

2022 Woman on the Move: Keyheira Keys

Posted on by Alyse Nicole

2022 Woman on the Move: Keyheira Keys

 

Keyheira Keys, have you heard that name before? Do you know her? You should, and you probably know some of her work or efforts, but not the woman behind them.

Keyheira is an Arkansas native but has been in Austin since 2000. She wears several hats and is a creative’s advocate, while also being a creative herself.

I was lucky enough to ask her a few questions recently to try and get a more behind the scenes look at how she’s able to do so much. After reading her answers, I think you’ll better understand why I chose Ms. Keyheira Keys as my inaugural Woman on the Move for International Women’s Day 2022.

Thanks for talking with me! It’s a true honor. So, for starters, tell us about some of the hats you wear.

By day, I work for the City of Austin in the economic development in cultural arts department as a cultural strategist. I also do consulting for Black and brown business creatives and entrepreneurs.

Most recently, I launched my radio show, Keys to the Streets, on KAZI. All my occupations deal with performing arts, fine arts, and the culinary arts.

 


How long have you lived in Austin?

Since 2000. It was a bit of a culture shock due to the diversity in races and cultures. I came from a city where there were basically only Black or white people. I also couldn’t understand the big difference in cost of living, but we eventually embraced the city and began to love and thrive in it.

 

How do you find time for everything?

It’s (the arts) always been a passion of mine. So it doesn’t seem like a lot of time, and I’m willing to put even more time towards working because of that.

 

Tell us about your time at Baylor.

Talk about a culture shock! After finally being adjusted to Austin, I went somewhere that was, again, a polar opposite.

Ohio State was my first choice, but due to financial reasons, I had to stay in-state. Baylor and UT were tied for my second choice. So I chose Baylor to get away a little.

I went from the world being 2007 to 1907. It was very segregated, and I was expected to only hang out with the Black students. So that was a social culture shock for me because I had a very diverse group of friends before attending.

 

What gives you such a passion about sharing and preserving Black culture in Austin?

It started from  the love East Austin shared with my family when we moved here. The community literally embraced us as their own. Then after going to Baylor and studying sociology, I learned how important it is to preserve stories as well as to tell stories so they’re not lost.

I started doing non-profit work for businesses in East Austin to help preserve the culture for the next generation. I feel it’s important to be able to create your own history while respecting the history and culture of the past.

I want the memories to be around for my children and more children to come.

 

Do you have a mentor? Do you mentor others?

Absolutely! I have several mentors, in different industries. In music, public relations, art, etc. I love learning from those more experienced than I am.

I also mentor others in the various industries I work in. I seriously loves helping someone move up in their industries. Since there’s so few Black women in my industry, I feel it’s my responsibility to help bring more on if it’s something they’re interested in or passionate about.

 

Tell us more about “Keys to the Streets”.  How did it come to be?

It’s a radio show that comprises all that I do in different industries and the multiple markets I work in. I helped bring a lot of new talent to KAZI during their rebranding. So they asked if I’d like her own show, saying, “you’re the key to bringing all this together.”

I originally said no, but after thinking it over, I realized I had a lot to share and offer. With everything I do, I usually like to stay in the background, but when I heard an interview with Issa Rae where she said “it’s looking a lot like me season”, it really resonated with me! So I said yes.

It took me 4 months to record my pilot episode because of fear and nerves, but when I submitted it, the station and listeners loved it!

You can tune in at 9:30am on Monday’s on 88.7, KAZI FM, or online at kazifm.org.

 

If you could share one piece of advice with someone afraid to take their first step towards their dreams and goals, what would it be?

It’s definitely a journey, but it starts with you seeing it for yourself and believing in yourself. I’m just starting to see the harvest from the seeds I planted 5-6 years ago, but you can’t make it anywhere if you don’t start.

 

 

Thank you so much Keyheira for speaking with me! You’re a true role model and silent superhero in our community. It’s great seeing you publicly receive your flowers more and being able to give them to you as well. Congratulations again to our 2022 Woman on the Move, Ms. Keyheira Keys!

10 Questions with Archie J. Jenkins

Posted on by Alyse Nicole

10 Questions with Archie J Jenkins, Owner of 180 Lyfe

 

During Black History Month, I’m interviewing Black business owners and founders to help bring more eyes to their products and services and also to celebrate them. My final interview features Archie J Jenkins, the owner of 180 Lyfe. I asked him 10 questions. Keep reading to find his answers.

 

How did your business come to be? What was your motivation?

My motivation comes directly from my past. In my early adult years, I was charged with a few felony convictions. During my incarceration, I began reflecting on what mattered most to me and 180 Lyfe was created. I’ve always been a visionary, but once I wrote the vision and made it plain, things began to shift in my life.

Giving back to others has always been a passion, but I got to a point where I decided to give back to myself. I knew in order to walk in my purpose, I had to get outside my comfort zone and truly change my mindset.

 

Did you face any adversities or obstacles in the beginning?

I am a creative and entrepreneur with ADHD but I’ve never let it define or cripple me. Also, remembering that being my true authentic self is what has gotten me this far, not faking it or being what others expected me to be. I refused to be put in a box. 

Another obstacle that I’ve had to overcome was mistakes I’ve made with finances. However, I’ve learned from each and every one of them. When it comes to business, I believe that the key to entrepreneurship is budgeting and money management. For example, I know that just because you earn $6,000.00 one month, does not mean you go out and buy a Mercedes Benz because you may only make $1,000.00 the following month. That is the risk with entrepreneurship as a whole, nothing is guaranteed.

 

Did you have a support system starting out?

180 Lyfe was started from the ground up. I took my time to build/nurture relationships, grow my network, and collaborate with other business owners until I was able to stand on my own. It is my desire to be a valuable resource for the community.

 

What void would you like to fill in the Black community with your business?

I am a visionary, and I am passionate about helping other individuals who desire to start a business but do not know where to start. I want to inspire my community and show them that they can take a little and build a lot with the right resources. 

I am also a Youth Advocate, and I am especially interested in the holistic development of our young Black men. I want to help them find their voice because I know the huge impact it can have on one’s life. I would like to use motivational speaking as an outlet for 180 Lyfe to reach the masses.

 

How do you keep yourself motivated to keep going?

I made a commitment to myself and my dreams. A commitment that my God given gifts have laid the groundwork for. With 180 Lyfe flourishing and thriving, I’ve learned a lot, the most important thing is that with hard work, persistence, faith in God and prayer, all things are possible. 

Who, if anyone, has inspired you during your journey?

There are many Greats that have inspired me but one person that stands out is Tyler Perry. Seeing someone that looks like me and has overcome everything from homelessness to rejection. When I learned that early on in his career, he invested his last in a stage play and no one showed up, it made me value his resilience even more. I admire anyone who eliminates the excuses and has the steadfast faith to never give up.

 

How can we, the community, help you exceed your current level?

The community can help me elevate by supporting my events and spreading the word about the 180 movement. Whatever I produce, my goal is to inspire, whether it’s through my magazine, my affirmations book, or a motivational speech, I need help bringing more visibility and exposure to the 180 brand.

Do you have any announcements or good news you’d like to share?

Last year, I was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year and that really gave me some great momentum at the start of this year to maximize all of the great connections I’ve made the previous year. On April 9th, I am bringing the 1st Annual Creative Connections Conference to Houston, TX. This conference will truly embody the “No Creative Left Behind” motto with panel discussions, spoken word performances, networking, live music, book signings, extraordinary vendors, and more.

We hope that this conference will bring forth fruitful relationships, collaboration, and networking opportunities for everyone that is involved. 

What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone starting the business owner/entrepreneurial journey?

 

BE CONSISTENT AND SHOW UP NO MATTER WHAT!

 

How can we find you to give our support? What’s your website and social media info?

You all can find me at www.180lyfe.com where you are able to shop, support, or leave a review. Follow me on Instagram at 180lyfe_180show. For booking inquiries, please email 180lyfe180show@gmail.com.

 

 

 

 

Thank you, Archie, for this great interview! Be sure to check out the 180 Lyfe website to see everything they have to offer!