Life & Work with Tanesha Hill

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanesha Hill.

Hi Tanesha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been in love with music and the Arts since adolescence. I started out writing poetry. I had an older cousin who would always freestyle, and I knew I wanted to be just like him. So I practiced and practiced! I never really mastered the art of freestyle, but I am cold with the pen. Over the years, I continued to learn and develop my talent.

I was born and raised in Kansas City, MO. In high school I would record my music in any quality studio I could get access to in the city. When I graduated I moved to St. Louis, MO to attend college at the University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL). I majored in the Interdisciplinary Studies program which meant I had to apply to the board and explain why every other major that already existed didn’t apply to what I wanted to do with my life and career. I hand-picked my 36 hours of study, explaining how each course would help me succeed in my career path. Elective and Gen Ed requirements were the same as every other major, and there could be no more than 15 credit hours in any one area of study or I would have had to choose that major. Opting to take more business courses for electives, I graduated with a Bachelor in Interdisciplinary Studies, minors in Business Administration, Management, Marketing, and a Certificate in Advertising.

I learned a lot about myself throughout my college career. It was during that time that I became an adult and cultivated my identity as an artist. In college, I pieced together my own studio and taught myself how to record my own vocals. I would spend the next five years of my life there, meeting people who would become a part of my life journey, and keep me on my toes in perfecting my craft.

I’ve always been known to dress. Meaning that I have great taste in style and the way I present myself to the world when I step out. I learned early on that in the industry we are in, appearance is everything. Your style is your first impression, and it introduces you to the space you’re in before you can speak. Music and fashion go hand in hand and are two of few industries able to connect people from different walks of life without sharing a common language. I wanted more than just merch to accompany my music. I wanted to cultivate a brand that would climb the ranks of the fashion industry and take the music industry by storm. I thought a lot about what that would look like, and how my brand would speak for people around the world.

As an artist, we’re paid for the consumption of our original works through royalties. I took this concept and produced my clothing line, Royaltiez Clothing. That one-time purchase is an investment in yourself that rewards you every time you wear it. When you look good, you feel even better. The energy that radiates from confidence opens doors to opportunities that have the potential to be life-changing. Royaltiez empowers people through relatable messages and shared experiences. It celebrates the journeys that everyday people go through and provides opportunities to celebrate and connect with one another. Conversation starters to build a community around shared passions and opportunities to teach and connect with people on opposite ends of the spectrum.

The original plan after college was to move to Atlanta, GA. I had already arranged for my job to transfer, and had already looked at and got approved for an apartment down there. I planned to visit LA for a month to get some inspiration and to network. I ended up staying for three years. I met some really great people along the way that would go on to shape how I manage my business today.

I was fortunate to gain a lot of experience into the fashion industry and what it looks like to produce clothing by hand, what meetings with manufacturers look like, how to plan for large-scale vendor events such as Afropunk Atlanta and New York which we participated in, and what daily operations looked like behind the scenes from my good friends at Stuzo Clothing. I worked for them the first year I was in Los Angeles, and that experience and knowledge was invaluable. It gave me a starting point when I finally took the steps to transform my ideas to a tangible and profitable business.

After three years in LA, I decided it was time to revert back to the original plan of moving to Atlanta. I could accomplish everything I was building in LA in Atlanta, with a lower cost of living. Atlanta is a music mecca, with a lot of flourishing Black-owned businesses. I moved to Atlanta just before the pandemic. Having time away from work gave me the time and freedom to invest everything into cultivating and making actionable moves to transition my business from an initial idea to something tangible and profitable. My education and experience in LA enabled me to put my best foot forward to get Royaltiez off the ground.

Royaltiez Clothing was incorporated Oct 12, 2021. We have since launched our website, fueled our social media accounts, and have participated in various pop-up events. We had the opportunity to participate in the Ultimate Women’s Expo in Atlanta May 21-22, and are happy to announce that we are preparing for events throughout the rest of this calendar year. Our goal within our first year is to raise brand awareness and gain brand recognition. These events have given Royaltiez a lot of exposure. We are currently seeking grant funding to expand the business. Once we have the equipment and supplies to produce in-house, we will introduce our custom designs from fabrics carefully chosen and sewn by hand. This brand will continue to grow and provide opportunities to the community that pours into the brand and vision. It has been quite the journey thus far, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I am blessed to be where I am.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There are many more clothing brands in the market today than when all my ideas were just conceptual. One opportunity that we’ve had to overcome is showing the world what differentiates Royaltiez from other brands. It’s more than just having unique designs. It’s that we have a people-first business model. Because there would be no business without the people. We aim to put as many people as possible in opportunities to win and to build something of their own. We aim to educate the communities that we come from and the communities that look like ours im terms of financial literacy and financial freedom, through a joint venture with my other business that I am building from the ground up, Provoked Thought. It will be a gathering space located in Atlanta, GA that hosts open mic nights and showcases for artists and creatives by night, and hosts financial workshops by day. It’s definitely a process, but all of this will come to pass.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
All of my business ventures stem from my love of music and the Arts. The slogan for my clothing line is “Fashion Forward, Music Driven.” Provoked Thought LLC will be the physical home for Royaltiez Clothing, as well as an event space for creatives to gather and celebrate one another and to equip the community with the knowledge not being taught in the education system.

I’m an independent artist who releases music under my independent label, and first business venture, Deeper Than Love LLC. The slogan for Deeper Than Love is “Feel Good Music That Moves You.” I make feel-good music. I was raised on R&B and Soul, Jazz, and the Blues. My heart has resided in the ’90s. Although I rap, I’ve been finding my voice and who I am as an artist through singing. If I had to put myself in a box by declaring a genre, it could be best described as alternative R&B. My music is different because I possess a unique sound that doesn’t sound like any other artist in the industry. I make music through poetic storytelling, that always has a message. The production is hypnotic and can stand without the words and cadences I produce. Hence, feel-good music that moves you. I have music out in all digital music stores available for purchase and streaming. My most recent single is 85. It’s a single on my upcoming EP that will be dropping in July. I’m most proud of my growth. I get better with time, and every project is better than the last. My goal is to always outdo myself. My only competition is me. I’m proud that I had the courage to be vulnerable in my music. I’m proud that I didn’t change who I am or what I believe in to fit the standard of society or the industry. And I’m proud that although the independent takes more work, more time, and more resources, I haven’t abandoned my dreams. I’m on the brink of something great. I can feel it. The tide is about to change and all the seeds that I’ve planted are about to come to fruition. I’ve seen a lot, and I’ve weathered many storms along this journey. I appreciate the lessons, and I’m trusting the process.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Every interaction is an exchange of energy. I believe that the energy that you put out into the world will attract like energies. When you are focused and in grind mode, you will automatically and even if unaware at the time, intentionally put yourself in situations that will introduce you to the people you need to know for wherever you’re trying to go. There’s always somebody who knows somebody, so it’s always in who you know. I met the people who founded Stuzo Clothing through someone who knew someone, who knew someone else that I came to LA with. I would also say that even in being humble you have to show the world who you are and what you bring to the table. When you see the value that you add, other people will too and will naturally want to either be a part of what you have going on or help you get to where you want to be. As long as you are moving with integrity, things will move for you. Good karma exists too. Lastly, you will never gain an opportunity you didn’t apply yourself for. You have to learn to live outside your comfort zone and say yes to blessings you may not feel you’re ready for. You have to go out and get out and get it. As one of the BIGGEST introverts, that was the most important thing for me. There is so much power in RIGHT NOW! Opportunities won’t wait on us, nor wait for us to be ready.

Pricing:

• $50 Hoodies
• $40 Sweatshirts
• $28 Bucket Hats
• $25 T-Shirts
• $20 Dad Hats

Contact Info:

• Website: www.linktr.ee/itsdeeperthanlove
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/younglocpapi
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/younglocpapi
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/younglocpapi
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/anomalyy118
• SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/younglocpapi
• Other: www.royaltiezclothing.com