Shade & Sass is a black, female owned company that was launched in January of this year. S&S works with all kinds of small businesses and creatives, from musicians to authors, photographers, models, MUAs, and all other content creators! They even just signed a podcast!
Why is your business a business to watch in 2021?
We’re a female, black-owned versatile agency working with all kinds of small businesses and creatives! We launched two months before the COVID lockdown, succeeded in a pandemic, and we know things will only get better for us in 2021.
What inspired your to start your business?
Our passion for the arts and media. Our friendship/bond. & A cool business name that really motivated us to create something amazing.
How did 2020 change your business? Was it for the better?
We actually launched in January of 2020, got really nervous about COVID, but ended up signing new clients and doing great work for them. The pandemic gave us time to think, plan, and strategize.
What lessons did you learn in your business in 2020?
You have to work hard AND smart. Running your own business is no walk in the park. You will have your good days & bad days. Put in the effort, and the results will come.
What kind of impact do you want your business to leave on your client or customer?
We want our clients to feel safe & like family. We want them satisfied, and we want them to flourish with their creative endeavors.
Do you feel your product or service meets the needs of the market?
Yes! There are so many people out there that need exposure and help building their brands. They need someone to guide them and lead them in the right direction. We’re here for that.
What hurdles did you personally face in getting ready to open your business and how did you overcome them?
We were nervous about building our roster, but when we started to network and really put the time in to market ourselves, everything fell into place. We’ve built a great roster of clients that will only continue to grow in 2021.
When did you realize entrepreneurship was right for you?
We had realized from the time we began working at restaurants and interning for other companies that we wanted to be our own bosses.
Why did you choose entrepreneurship?
Being our own bosses & creating something our own was very important and special to us.
What would you say is your most driving motivation to keep doing what you do?
Our boujee lifestyles and the fact that we don’t have to answer to anyone other than our clients. Helping other creatives makes us feel good and we plan on doing it for a long time.
What are you most excited or passionate about? (In both business and life or both)
We love to travel! We can’t wait to travel the rest of the world, and we’re excited to work with more like-minded, goal oriented people in the future.
What are the goals that you hold personally?
Our goal is to become a big name in entertainment and to create a safe-space for creatives and small businesses to trust with their brands. We’d really like to create unforgettable campaigns and bonds with and for our current and prospective clients.
Did you have any key mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are, what you believe in and what you’re committed to in your work and life? Tell me about them.
Shania: Kerry Washington – an intelligent, black, versatile woman Viola Davis – who came from nothing & is a successful boss bitch Tika Sumpter – the first black girl on gossip girl who actually had a main role and was a communications major living in NYC… she had to drop out because she was poor, became a waitress and in her darkest time landed a role on a soap opera and her career took off
Cierra/Perks: Gabrielle Union – a beautiful, confident black woman who Cierra’s looked up to since Bring it On and her own cheerleading days Shep Gordon – values family, food, and artists & their craft… Cierra’s ultimate inspiration as an artist manager.
Did you have any life-changing experiences that put you on the path that led you to be doing what you’re doing today? Tell me about them.
Yes. Applying to over 3,000 jobs post graduation and being denied by all of them! As well as being overlooked and underestimated by family and peers! These things have motivated us to excel.
What’s next for you in your business/brand? What can readers look forward to from you?
Coming in 2021: – New clients – New projects from our current clients – Our own Shade & Sass podcast & more blog content from us
We’re Co-Founders & Best Friends!
Shania – A public relations guru & aspiring reality TV star, Shania has played many roles on television, which includes HBOMax’s Legendary, MTV, & Wu-Tang: An American Saga. Studied Broadcast Journalism at William Paterson University and worked for many big companies, playing a crucial role in PR and entertainment. Her top campaigns include Pattern by Traces Ellis Ross and florence by mills. She’s a PR pro and triumphs when it comes to placements in the media.
Cierra/Perks – A singer, songwriter, and artist manager all in one. Studied Public Relations & Music Management at William Paterson University, where she received her nickname & identity as an artist. Cierra grew up singing in school choirs & talent shows and going to her brother’s band’s gigs/shows. She also does freelance modeling and acting — she’s been seen on a billboard at Art Basel 2019 for Dirty Politics, played a role in a MTV show, hosted concerts throughout the city of Philadelphia, and recently featured in her first released song, What’s Da Vision? with Shade & Sass artist, Close Cash. Cierra has been street teaming for indie labels & managing since 2016.
