Erin Gardner of West side on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Erin Gardner and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Erin , thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Great question.To live life, honestly.I haven’t practiced being present since I was a little girl it feels like.Once my body started holding memory I didn’t mind getting lost.It was a way to escape I believe and then it turned into a habit leaving less time to process who I was becoming. Now i have to face my intentional isolation and it has been a strengthening experience.I am grateful.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
So my name is Erin and I am the creator behind Original Black.It is a brand focused on the force that drives us to create or destroy. A sort of play on words to unlock emotions or ideals about your bottom line purpose here.It began with self discovery.I am a Capricorn which makes me a no nonsense soul detective that enjoys learning about the original reasons of behavior mainly from the dark night of the soul.The oppression of black people was my reason in the beginning and how to survive the residual trauma that effects us and reflects in our neighborhoods and actions.And while it still derives from that place, I have noticed that creativity is the language all can understand.What drives anyone to create is the pit of pain you face and then transforming it.
What is it I am working on….more like what is working on me.Exchanging my worries for creativity is my everyday task so I may draw, research, live a lesson more than I am approaching my brand these days.Of course every movement is intended towards my brand baby.I am both the owner and beneficiary of my brands concept so whatever is in the future will be a pure reflection of my journey lined with the integrity of my love to create period.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Well I am a twin so spiritually that comes with so many moments of understanding who you are and who you are not. Recognizing your strengths and weaknesses was a necessity so was balance so I would definitely say it has been the number one relationship that has shaped me outside of being a mother.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Oh man I have learned how impossible it is to have peace because of the things you have rather than have peace within yourself.I would never trade one for the other.Simple as that.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
Integrity and acknowledgment.Always be the truest version of you in any moment.You may be right you may be wrong but you have yourself an opportunity to receive a honest response from the universe. It’s not for others to understand or to be explained just for you to learn more about you.And acknowledging the inner truths you see others boldly display.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I wonder around this question myself. As I approach a project I tend to hesitate pursuing to the end because I am concerned if it will be valued by others.I may get inspired by the effort or discouraged if no one understands.At the end of the day creativity shouldn’t and doesn’t ask for anyone’s approval but it does become a struggle if your not connected to the reason your doing it.
Now that’s just in business, on a personal level absolutely.As a Capricorn again that is who we are and must be to stay on path.

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