Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominique Smack.
Hi Dominique, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m a full-time entrepreneur, creative storyteller, Content strategist and Co-owner of Fresh Zucch a woman led creative agency focused on brand development through strategy, concept + design. Because I am wild enough to want to be multifaceted, I also am owner of my own creative consulting business, BlkDiamonds& Gems LLC. where I assisting women in getting out of their own way on social media through one on one strategy sessions and creative coaching services.
Being a woman that inspired, impacted and elevated other woman was always a career goal of mines. So, the fact that I found myself smack dab in the middle of my dreams and wedged between two budding and emerging business that I get to pour into daily, learn new things about, fail and make mistakes with, create magic with other amazing Black women, oh and the best part, I get to help women create content they LOVE. I mean it honestly doesn’t get better than that. I thought for a long time that the 9-5 life would just be something I would just “do” forever.
Honestly watching my mother grind it out as a teenager, I didn’t see much else but I did always know I would be a bomb ass boss women in any space. It wasn’t until I started spending my 6 am drives to work balling my eyes out that I knew something had to change, and I was gonna take a leap on faith. At this time I was working in Social Media helping my friends for well under what I am charging now, running their socials, assisting in building their brands and slowly working on building my own community and establish myself as a creative thinker and leader in my own community. I knew there was value there, and slowly but surely along with my spouse began to design a business and life that allowed us more control and to stretch our creative wings. So as scary as it seemed, the tears let me know it was time to go.
Whew, might’ve been the craziest thing I ever done, but by far the best.
Today I am still figuring out how to juggle it all as I dive into new creative director roles, grow both business, learn as much as I can to consistently show up for me and the women who see my vision, my community who grew my vision and the closes people who have been supporting who I am even when I couldn’t see the vision. I run a six-figure business, and no I am not rich lol, in mind, body and spirit maybe but the vision has been working its way out so I have no complaints. I live a lifestyle that allows me to spread my creative wings, be a source of inspiration for women who are unapologetically showing up for themselves and their vision and I get to bet on myself daily, just wow.
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?
Whew, not at all! Both me and my wife left good-paying jobs with 401K’s to follow our dreams. Crazy, right. The plan A didn’t work and honestly plan B didn’t either. Plan C is still working it’s way out, lol.
It’s like you have all these things you want to do, and but you need money right? To adult, and live, and survive. In those moment leaning on each other and trusting the vision was one of the hardest things we had to do. I didn’t realize how important that mindset I had to be in nor the healing I had to do to step fully into the women who could confidently state her rates, confidently step into rooms while unapologetically taking up space. And confidently deliver outstanding work that I could be proud of.
In the beginning, I found my biggest challenges would be, how I am going to tell this story, or how amazing can I do this recap, or how can I be innovative or fresh with my personal work. It was once I pivoted to monetizing my skills and building a business that served bringing people’s ideas and stories to life that I had to learn quick that as a service-based provider people constantly wanted to see what it is that I do. I have to promote myself even when I don’t feel like it. I have to be a thought process for myself and others, and sometimes it gets super overwhelming. The long nights of story boarding, learning, feeling like I wasn’t hitting brick walls, being creatively blocked with a deadline end of week. But every time a project sees itself through or a client’s feedback supersedes my expectations, I remember that it’s all a part of the story.
Ohhh, let’s not forget this struggle, getting paid, and properly at that! Pricing my services was a struggle then and now, but I constantly make sure I am delivering to the level of my expertise so that where a rate increase time comes I do so confidently I understand I will be in a space where everyone can’t afford me and I think that’s ok, there are so many Black owned business investments that I tell my self, not right now, but soon and God works it out every-time. I want the value I offer and my work and testimonials to reflect the investment in my services.
And lastly hiring a team, I still am learning how necessary it is to step back from the business and let it coast on autopilot, but I am also ok with not being there yet. I am thankful to have a strong group of girlfriends with some amazing talents who don’t mind playing any role and flexing their skills for your girl. I am thankful for these teams because even they prepare me for where I know I am headed.
Every day is a new day for me to learn, grow and align with the woman I was placed here to be. Walk-in my purpose, shine my light, it’s super satisfying and super scary, But I honestly didn’t see life going sane for me anyway, so this works.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a creative strategist, curator and storyteller. With over four years of working with entrepreneurs and businesses in developing creative strategies and driving results through social media management & creative campaigns.
Through my work with Fresh Zucch, I’ve gained extensive experience in social media management, business development, and creating unique, high-quality content that engages our audience and connects. Them to their audience in creative ways.
My primary strengths are in being a strategic storyteller who uses the power of social media to curate and tell stories through content that connects brands with their audience organically and authentically.
I specialize in showing women how to show up on their social media platforms through creative content strategy, coaching and gaining clarity to go from ideas to action.
I am known for my unique social media storytelling where I create moments in my life through everyday captures that inspire women how to show up unapologetically for themselves and their community through creativity building impactful social connections, capturing vibe filled moments that give a warm and inviting first-person POV.
I am most proud of creating a space and lane for myself that allows me to be a free-spirited creative but also is nothing like what anyone else does, hearing people say they are drawn to my work because it is different is amazing, it inspires me to keep creating and showing up.
From hosting my first creative workshop in the middle of Covid- 19 and selling out to booking MY first creative direction client under Fresh Zucch plan C has worked out greater than I could ever imagine, I currently am living a lifestyle and dream that started on paper. That’s crazy! God is blowing my mind, I am forever thankful. The fact that I am only getting started feels greater.
What are your plans for the future?
Future Plans, keep working Plan C – Z out. I am in a good spot right now but am aligning with bigger because naturally, I want more and think me and the people around me deserve just that. I am looking forward to growing + expanding in both my personal and professional life while focusing on grow and nurturing the community+network of exceptional women that trust and support me daily.
I am looking forward to pouring into both businesses, working with other dope and inspiring innovative thinkers and other
creatives. Building a strong roster of impactful people who have skill sets that’s just flow, no force ever. This life surprises me every day so it’s easy to look forward to tomorrow in this space. Plus, it’s easier that way.
I am super excited about the projects I have manifested in my future cause I have been putting in the work and I already see it paying off. Also, I don’t like normal at all and hate when I start to feel anything like it. So, I definitely plan to dive in different avenues of the creator’s realm and push my own creative limits. I thoroughly enjoy bringing magic out of individuals so we’ll see where that goes, and I am always open and grateful for when it aligns.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@freshzucch.com
- Website: www.freshzucch.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blkdiamondsngems/
- Other: https://blkdiamondsgems.com/
Image Credits
Personal images by Taylor Baldwin @mamaphotog Client work images Tote bags Sarah- Elizabeth A. @sarah.lizphotos
