Today we’d like to introduce you to Reginald Waller Jr.
Reginald, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I saw a gap in black artistry and clothing with Asian inspiration. I wanted to make art that felt good to me and others like me. The “nerds” “geeks” whatever you were called. It’s cool now, but I had long decided to do my part to bring it to the forefront. That eventually evolved into clothing and here I am with clothing. Art has allowed me to make my own comic about a black man in Japan fighting evil spirits, ‘Ramen Shaman’
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has definitely been a rocky road at times. I’m doing something that a lot of peers haven’t done. I can’t just ask for info. I have to research, learn from trial and error. I had to learn how to fail forward and keep pushing. Some errors, being charged extra by vendors because I don’t know what fair pricing looked like, sharing too much profit with a middle man I believed I needed. I wasn’t understanding marketing or how to play trends to my advantage. But I’m learning and I see the growth.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Not So Starved – what should we know?
I create art and clothing for dreamers and doers. I’m most proud that people genuinely like what I do and I’m doing what’s true to me. What sets me apart of my hustle. I may not make as much money as other companies may not reach as many people. But they will NEVER outwork me. They work for their first name. I work for my last name. For my future kids, their kids, and so on.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My family for constantly supporting their college dropout son who had a vision. My wife, my biggest supporter and sounding board. My best friend, Kenneth Jenkins. He and I have always talked about building from the ground up and me not wanting to let him outwork me and him not letting me outwork me is why nobody can easily reach my level of hustle. There are honestly too many to name, old and new friends, business partners, and so on.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.notsostarvedartist.com
- Phone: 2053937545
- Email: notsostarvedartist@gmail.com
- Instagram: @notsostarvedartist
- Facebook: Not So Starved Artist
- Twitter: artistnotso
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