Today we’d like to introduce you to Graceful Grady.
Hi Graceful, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Where do I begin? Let’s just say I like to be different and don’t mind challenges. To start, while growing up in East Baltimore playing sports (basketball and football), I was known as the kid who rode the unicycle. Yes, I did say a unicycle! I did excel in sports, once making the All-Star team representing Baltimore in basketball as a teen. Where is the challenge in that…imagine playing with or against later in-life NBA players (Duane Ferrell, Muggsy Bogues, Reggie Williams, Reggie Lewis, and David Wingate. My heart was in football, being taught the game by my father. I liked hearing him say I looked like him as a kid after a game and having my mother there to support me. As I said, I like challenges, and as an African American growing up, you didn’t see many (If any) African American quarterbacks. My idol was a quarterback named James Harris for the Rams of the NFL (speaking of challenges).
I can say this is where the path began to where I am today. You start facing realism and obstacles. Playing quarterback is a position you have to think, take control, manage, make decisions, and most importantly if you fail, stay focused and continue to try to reach your goals. I played that position from Pop Warner football to high school but as an attempt to walk on at Georgia Tech, I was switched to a different position. This was a new challenge for me and I wasn’t proud of my decision to give up football. I transferred to Georgia State University. A new challenge has begun and the road to being an entrepreneur is now in front of me. My first real job was with Lehman Brothers in New York. Although you are with a firm, you are independent as a stockbroker. Here you have the responsibility of managing, staying focused, and making important decisions.
Time expired and the start of the 2nd quarter of life begins. I’m now an independent wealth manager (different and more challenging). Using previous experience, I continue to move forward but life is not a straight path. You will eventually have something to throw you off course and it causes you to take more time to get to where you want to be. Word of advice to everyone, obstacles can be anything (from an illness, an accident, divorce, etc), you have to stay motivated and continue the course.
Halftime is over and now I’m in the beginning of the 3rd quarter. It’s now time to adapt to new challenges, thanks to the internet. Opportunities are over the place. I decided to venture into doing things that are challenging but also fun. Just for fun, I started an online poker t-shirt business where I design and sell them at www.pokert-shirts.com. I was up at 3:00 am one day during covid and saw people playing poker on tv…an idea was born. I caught the attention of a pro player named The Queen of Felt and others pursued including WSOP bracelet winners.
I said I like challenges, so I decided to create a dating website/app. The niche is based on social media usage (which is the main cause of breakups and divorces). I’m on track to officially release it by the end of June/early July. The address for that is www.heed.love (yes, the extension is .LOVE…I said I like to be different).
And lastly, my numero uno is a national holiday! I’m the Founder and CDO (Chief Dimples Officer) of National Dimples Day, which is celebrated on July 9th. This is different (unique feature), it’s challenging (going global), and it’s fun (conversation and soon events). And that’s where I am today.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not! I believe my very first challenge was as a kid (around 15) when I played quarterback for a Pop Warner team called Overlea, and because of my play I had a chance to go to a private school in Maryland called McDonough. I stood out like a sore thumb but I was already used to that. I went to take the entry exam and the entire time I was freezing in the room. All I could think about was my fingers being numb. I told my mother afterward, I couldn’t concentrate, I felt like I had let her down. Outcome: went to and graduated from a great high school called Baltimore Polytechnic Institute.
As stated earlier, the decision to give up football and transfer to Georgia State was a tough decision because now I had to really buckle down (get a job or two to pay for school). Sometimes I had to attend a class at night because of my schedule. Wasn’t easy! Outcome: Got it done and graduated.
Once proved myself for a position as a financial advisor and wasn’t given the position immediately as promised. Outcome: I made steps to speak to management and was immediately in position…I leave it at that.
Most recently? I can give you several examples of challenges. How about having a startup that was selected by a Billionaire but 2 days later he sells his business and I am back at bootstrapping. How about having everything go well but there is 1 company that refuses to approve your listing. Lastly, how about being asked to be backup to make a presentation in front of Angel Investors and Venture Capitalist but everyone shows up and when it’s your turn the next month, the world (understandably) is shut down because of Covid. Outcome: Better opportunities!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about National Dimples Day LLC?
National Dimples Day LLC is part of a holding company that was started to provide individuals a day to celebrate the rarity of dimples (dimples, cleft chin a.k.a. butt chin, dimples of Venus for women, and dimples of Apollo for men). In addition to global awareness, other ventures are intended to be formed.
The first venture is trademarked merchandising. Currently, items are available on both www.nationaldimplesday.com and http://www.thedimplestore.com/ Clothing and accessories are available for men, women, and children. The official trademarked logo and mascot name is Dimpuls.
The official date for National Dimples Day is July 9th.
For individuals who have or are being bullied because of having a uniqueness (ex. cleft chin) and need someone to talk to, National Dimples Day has teamed up with 7 Cups to provide volunteer listeners to talk to and chat rooms. It’s anonymous and completely free.
*Coming soon…a Dimples Gathering
*Teaming with Celebs for charity.
*Possible collaboration with fashion designer(s).
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Unexpected situations may take place along the course of your journey, step back and think of what you did or didn’t do, learn from it, and continue the journey. Most importantly, if you can, share it so others don’t do the same thing or are better prepared.
By the way, Graceful is not my given name…it was a nickname from playing football. I changed it legally once I became of age. I said I like to be different.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thedimplestore.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/nationaldimplesday
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationaldimplesday
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/natdimplesday
- Other: www.pokert-shirts.com
