Today we’d like to introduce you to Bennie Lee Williams III.
Hi Bennie Lee, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My creativity burst when I was a pre-teen beginning early in business due to growing up in a family sign business in Winston Salem, NC where I was raised until graduating high school in 2011. Before high school, I started a design and apparel business at ten years old servicing the creation of my church summer school t-shirts then moving into other accounts such as local businesses and soon Pepsi. As I entered high school I started producing beats, living up to my passion for music. My music background begins with my journey by 1assisting my father as he would DJ and soon I became familiar with being a DJ and music curator as well. In 2015 I began my career professionally as “Poeticlee” releasing my first poetry mixtape “Admire Her” which would inspire me to continue the journey as an artist performing nationwide and my first featured show in Atlanta in 2016. Since then I’ve released three music projects, Here For Now (Album), H.O.P.E. (EP), and Crossroads: From Hell to Heaven (E.P.) and Scorpion King (Album)
As a poet, I feel that I’m not the owner of the words yet simply the conductor – like a river flowing without resisting the current.
In 2013, I launched my first podcast, The Image Podcast, back when people would scratch their heads at the sound of podcasts, “ah!?” This podcast helped college students become aware of their brand image and how that could impact their path moving forward. This show allowed me to interview entrepreneurs on all levels that could provide insight to college students even Daymond John founder and CEO of FUBU and Investing Shark on Shark Tank was a special interview I captured.
My media and artist career has now intersected well with me channeling content through my own network Lotus X which focuses on showcasing content that empowers, educates, and activates a feeling and purpose.
Through Lotus X I’ve produced several podcasts to enlighten my peers and generation with discussions that expand our typical thinking such as Sacred Sexuality, life as a creative, civics, spiritual callings, ecosystem restoration, and many more.
Along with Lotus X, I began fully in 2022 with a new brand and business “Heroez Only” a brand championing those empowering themselves and the world around them through apparel and accessories that reflect your greatest self and assist you in your personal development journey.
Along with the artistic business ventures I’m co-owner of a name badge business with my mother “Bling Name Badges” a business that creates custom rhinestone embellished name badges as a jeweled accessory for your brand and a unique way to be identified.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Struggles triumphed in each of my paths.
Apparel Business
Struggles triumphed: Ignoring the stubbornness of a market that is being watered down with trendy products at cheap prices to create supply and demand over creating quality and value.
Media company
Struggles triumphed: Creating something bigger than anyone expected and not letting imposter syndrome settle in.
Artistry
Struggles triumphed: Confidence in art due to message in the content & critical critique of myself.
Name badge business
Struggles triumphed: Balancing anxiety and allowing myself grace with the process of being an entrepreneur.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an idea generator and creative concept specialist. In other words, I will see your vision and expand it through the avenues that best fit you and your path while being able to strategize on how to manifest that vision into reality.
I have a Midas touch in being able to curate a vision that sees reality by listening to what is at hand, what is needed, and what it will impact.
This allows me to continue learning about my audience which provides me insight on how to become a more relatable artist, reliable entrepreneur, and authentic version of myself.
I specialize in activating the senses we use by creating through the chakras. My entire creations and practices all start with how it flows through and connects with the chakra centers in our bodies. This allows me to be intentional and empowering with my services.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Biggest lesson: Keep writing the script for your story, journey, and path.
Throughout this entire phase of covid, I’ve written the story of my path which has resulted in me being more confident, honest, loving, and caring towards myself and the process. Championing myself while also reflecting on the many moments that we encounter daily.
Continually writing the themes I encounter keeps me accountable for who I’m choosing to become while being responsible for who I am.
Contact Info:
- Website: poeticlee.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poeticlee/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepoeticlee/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepoeticlee
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFum4Vty_iNY3_uQHyIgZKQ/videos?view=0&sort=p&shelf_id=0
Image Credits:
Shayla Sadler Eye’Monea Photography Jay Fal Productions A1 Productions Kalliwood
