Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Deshay.
Erika, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My journey that would ultimately develop me into a strong independent woman started as a young girl with body image issues. I was always “the chubby one” and it started to make me feel like the “Black Sheep” of the family. Over the years, my mother would reassure me that I was beautiful but hat never truly matters unless you feel it for yourself. So, I decided to do something about it and became more active early in my teen years. Now, the weight has dropped but inside I still saw myself as that curvier version of myself. The next step was to learn how to become comfortable and love myself for who I was or no one else would. Prayer changes things! Years later, I experienced a really hard break up, the first big one is always the hardest, and rather than sit around and cry I decided to find myself a hobby. I wanted something that would keep my mind busy and that was going to be productive and beneficial to my life. I joined a gym. I decided that I was going to be the best-looking ex he ever had and he would regret that mistake forever. Every time I started to think back on negative thought or situations that would arise that would stress me out the gym became my escape. After developing a consistent routine of working out, I started to really enjoy fitness not just because I wanted to ‘look good” but because of how it made me feel. Others would see me working out and start to ask me if I train. Me, train? I had never thought of that before. Because of what others saw in me I started Fit Peach Lifestyle and started development on a lifestyle brand Black Sheep Apparel.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road to get here. Over the years, it seemed like every time I got close to saving up the money to invest in my equipment, something major in my life would happen and defer my dreams just a while longer. To make sure that my dreams stayed in the front of my mind, I went out a bought a whiteboard for my bedroom. I would use this board to write my top three important things to focus on. I had to pass this board every day as a reminder to not get so caught up in my 9-5 that I forget what I wanted to accomplish. The key is to stay focused on what you want out of life and keep your higher power first.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Black Sheep Apparel Brand story. Tell us more about it.
My main business focus is Black Sheep Apparel Brand. Black Sheep is a self-motivating lifestyle brand established in Atlanta, Ga in 2019. Black Sheep was created to self-empower consumers by allowing them to take control of their own self-image through outward expression. We strive to help motivate individuals by helping them build self-confidence and remain aware of their true potential and abilities. Black Sheep as a brand is meant to change the negative implications of a “black sheep” and help the world see it through our eyes. What I am most proud of as a company is the ability to inspire others to love their true self and remind them that our differences are what makes us unique. Black Sheep is set apart by the many communities and ethnic groups it brings together through common experiences. Along with developing the lifestyle brand, I still continue to assist and motivate other people on their fitness journeys through my social media platform @fit_peachlifestyle.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Over the next few years, I see continuous growth in the self-help sector. Most people want to start something but just don’t know how to start or have someone to help them. In the school system, there seems to be an increasing amount of school shootings and bullying. Black Sheep is striving to be a voice for the voiceless. We look forward to being able to spread our anti-bullying campaign ‘I AM” across the USA.
Pricing:
- Black Sheep Apparel- T-shirt $20-$25
- Black Sheep Phone Case- $15
Contact Info:
- Email: theblacksheepapparelbrand@gmail.com
- Instagram: @fit_peachlifestyle and @blacksheepapparelbrand
Image Credit:
Photos by: Cole Shots and Jacarri Hill
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