Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Carr.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story has been quite the journey, beginning with figuring my way through situations, allowing God to provide the vision and providing with the foundation to water them. I have three very different businesses that I somehow found a way to make come full circle. The birth of Diamond District, VVS Air and Slay Inc. Beauty On Demand:
In the beginning of my career, while in College attending Arizona State University, I was also doing promotional modeling at the time and was not in the best contract. It was working against me but I chose to make it work for my benefit regardless of what was up against me. I started networking and ending up in rooms connecting with people and through those relationships, conversations began and one thing led to another. My wheels started turning I heard D.R.A.M and Lil Yachty’s “Broccoli” which sparked a conversation between my brother and I; within 24 hours, I ended up doing launching my first business Diamond Development doing artist development. I knew I had an ear for music, the network to connect artists and the knowledge to help artists within the development space needed to nurture them artistically to help them grow and become label ready or guide them independently. I started working with artists you now know today as well as rising talent. Fast forward to me working with a client who at the time had Roc Nation interested in him and he was like, “Hey, if they decide to give me a manager, I don’t want to work with anyone else but you”. I didn’t see what he saw at the time because that was not my niche but things started to happen and the current person we had in place managing my clients fell through so I had no choice but to step into a management role so I did.
Over time my clientele changed, my resources and skillset changed and my team grew. We became the “anti-label” a space where we would develop and manage a roster of artists to a point where the labels could literally come to us and “shop” our roster for their next big thing. In the meantime, the artist had a powerhouse that caters to all of their essentials this became what is now known as Diamond District. We ended up getting production companies pitching tv show ideas the whole 9. Diamond District is now a talent management company that houses talented Artists, DJ’s, Songwriters, Producers, Models and content creators. I am so blessed to have clients that trust me and believe in my vision for them and collectively coming together to make their dreams come true. I don’t necessarily believe that money makes a talented artist, I believe a talented artist makes money. My motto is no pressure, no diamond. The pressure is definitely applied and every gem I get behind is a beautiful thing. I’ve been inspired by trailblazers like Miss. Diddy and influenced by someone my family holds dear the late Nipsey Hussle.
During my time in the artist management/development space, I had situations that called for clients to need private jets. I made a few calls, built a few relationships and had a conversation with a friend of mine who manages private jets, we worked together on a couple of projects and bookings and one conversation started what is now VVS Air. I felt as though specific clients have certain needs and wanted to create a company tailored to athletes /teams who could have jets retrofitted to their needs pre/post-game and in their personal flight interests, same for music artists having studios, etc. in their jets. I’ll leave the rest of that conversation for another time. He taught me everything I needed to know about private jets, brokerages, pricing, operators literally everything, I became familiar with the infamous PJ Kev and was inspired by his story. I ended up going back to the drawing board and relaunching VVS Air with my business partner Anderson, I couldn’t ask for a better person to work with when it comes to VVS Air. We met in a space where we were both deciding to work with other private jet brokerages, however it wasn’t working out as we were both in the most humble way, bigger than the company from our skills, ideas and overall mindset that it only made sense for us to come together. VVS Air is a private jet brokerage where we take pride in being synonymous with luxury, exclusivity and exceptional quality. Just as VVS diamonds represent the highest quality in gems, we take pride in being the VVS of the sky.
Lastly, I went through a period of being discouraged. My companies are centered around me servicing and being available for other people. I had nothing that was centered around me and again another conversation I was having with someone who is a successful business owner of his own, he was telling me you know what if this doesn’t work out or what if that doesn’t work out. What do you have that will profit on its own with or without you. Well, my mind doesn’t work that way. I was not thinking about what if it doesn’t work out. I bet on myself and I went for broke I was putting it all into Diamond District and VVS Air. I’m not a ” minks and blinks” by Crystal type of person. You won’t see me selling lashes or bundles and as well as I cook, you won’t see me selling plates. So I thought about creating Slay Haus which for NDA purposes I can’t elaborate on because it’s still in the works but it was too advanced for where I was. So instead, I birthed what is now Slay Inc. Beauty On Demand.
Slay Inc. Beauty on Demand is a high-end beauty on-demand glam squad. Slay Inc. offers services including: hair, nails, makeup, lashes, brows and wardrobe styling. As a consumer of these services and in working around individuals who value luxury convenience and often seeing people post in groups or on social media that they’re looking for service providers, just put it into perspective to me that I needed to solve that problem with Slay Inc. I went through the process of wanting someone to go into business with and I just knew God was going to bless Slay Inc. beyond measure, especially after realizing it was something on my vision board back in my pageant days that I forgot about. However, it turned into something I needed to zone into on my own to really be able to see the vision through clearly and cohesively. I did not want a website for booking; I wanted an app. No ifs, ands or buts about it. I guess I thought since we used to code on MySpace that I could save $20k and develop the app myself and almost gave my computer a virus. That was unsuccessful so I did some research, got a few quotes and found some great developers to design my app into the amazing app you see today in your preferred app store the silver and black logo Slay Inc. I knew with Slay Inc and the identity behind it, it should be urban yet chic and exclusive. I wanted the black car pull up, our slaytians (Slay Inc. service providers arrive in a black luxury fleet ready to slay. I started in Los Angeles and relocated to Atlanta, GA to launch the Atlanta region of Slay Inc. Finding service providers and getting the clientele base has been the most difficult part of running my business. With that said, I am so thankful for those that were patient with me and understood and supported my vision and being a part of the fact that Slay Inc is even possible and is growing every time we execute one slay at a time.
I’ve always been a dreamer from a very young age and can finally look back at the younger version of me and let her know that it’s all working out and I am finally in a space where I don’t have to juggle a 9-5 and can make it happen for myself off of the strength, belief and perseverance of those that walked this journey with me. I’ve quit my jobs about two other times to try to follow my dreams full time and the final time was the final time! It takes a lot more than just banking on your ideas. You’ve got to have a plan, a support system, grit, faith, be okay with starting over, accept your downfalls and understand you’re going to cry, you’re going to feel like giving up but you have to stay the course to get what you came from. For me, I’ll say I’m glad my journey happened the way it did.
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?
Smooth… Far from it. I wanted to give up. I wanted it to get easier. I felt as though since it was not easy, it wasn’t for me. I didn’t want to force it. I had no starting income and with each business, I had no track record. It took people believing in every word that came out of my mouth and what I could do for them. I had been in plenty of situations that were against me from men in the industry, making it hard. Sometimes they saw me as attractive and not necessarily for business. I had to put my foot down for respect and give them something to respect, walked away from situations because I was better than that. I cried many times and prayed even more. Telling God “I’m ready”, ” Lord, you said if I ask I shall receive”, “Lord if you just give me this chance”, “Lord, I’ve seen what you’ve done for others” and was like maybe my prayer went to voicemail, maybe my relationship with God isn’t as close, maybe I’m not hearing him clearly… I went harder.
I started ignoring phone calls, leisure and sleep, sacrificed relationships and really started going harder. It’s not going to come to you, you have to go get it, I had cheerleaders but not a whole lot of support. I had people that didn’t understand what I was doing or why I was doing it. I had someone I dated literally tell me often that I am not built for this, that he would call the blogs and tell them what they were publishing was fake news, and that he didn’t want to see me do great. Imagine that. I got scammed, I cried after I set up interviews and people weren’t showing up to their interviews. I battled anxiety, I got depressed at one point. It was far from a smooth road. I would love to see what someone’s smooth road looked like.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Diamond District is a private-sector Talent management company that specializes in the development and management of rising, signed and independent talent. For services, please feel free to reach out directly.
What sets Diamond District apart from similar companies in this industry is our platform is not based off of a copy and paste from other companies. We built Diamond District with the client in mind, their needs for success and putting a machine together that works in their favor not just for the company’s benefit. We apply pressure and create diamonds. Clients are able to really explore their creativity vs conforming and really flourish under this powerhouse of resources at their disposal. We have a built-in team dedicated to them.
What I am most proud of when it comes to Diamond District: The proof is in every client, the continue to challenge me, they continue to prosper and each and every win we receive big or small is a proud moment.
We are also accepting submissions for talent consultations and project feedback
Please stay tuned for new releases. Follow up a personal page for updates; @Hollywood_Ceecee
VVS Air is a private jet brokerage that specializes in providing private charter services nationwide. You can book via the website or reach out via DM.
What sets VVS Air apart is that we have an on-demand team available, access to over 5,000 private aviation options available worldwide, and we provide our clients with a turnkey experience. Delivering bespoke, tailor-made flights and dedicated 24/7 VIP customer service.
What I am most proud of when it comes to VVS Air: The overall story of VVS Air is definitely my most proud moment.
We are currently taking new clients and partnerships!
IG: vvs-air
Website: vvs-air.com
Slay Inc. Beauty on Demand is a high-end beauty on-demand glam squad. Slay Inc. provides hair, nail, makeup, lash, brow and wardrobe styling services on demand meaning we are mobile and able to slay when and where you want us. You can book via the app in your preferred app store.
What sets Slay Inc. Beauty On Demand apart is that Slay Inc. is the epitome of a glam squad; you will see that in the quality of your service and the experience you receive. We are exclusive and set up to where you must have a VIP code to have access to our glam squad and overall Slay Inc. is set up for those with the desire to slay.
What I am most proud of when it comes to Slay Inc, Beauty On Demand is the fact that I see my vision each and every time we execute a slay.
We are currently taking new bookings, looking for new service providers and are seeking ambassadors and affiliates!
IG: Slayincbeautyondemand
Mobile App: Slay Inc.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Resilience, that bounces back is going to be your backbone every time, dont forget your ” Why”, remembering who I am and what I am capable of, and centering God in the middle of it all. Understanding that my voice is more important than anyone else’s opinion. I had to keep in mind that I have people relying on me to stand on what I said and I refuse to let them down.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Instagram.com/hollywood_ceecee
