Meet Devante Lekendrick: Artist & Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Devante Lekendrick and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Devante, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When we hear about a business we automatically assume or envision a brick and mortar situation. Nowadays, that is not necessarily the case. Whether you are a writer, actor, model, singer, credit repair specialist etc, you are running a business. YOU ARE YOUR BUSINESS. As an author, I am running my own business being that I have to not only write the material, I have to track sales, inventory, figure out pricing and promotions. As an actor, I have to invest in training and marketing materials such as headshots, wardrobe, healthy eating, and a vehicle to get to auditions and gigs and that is required whether you book or not. As a content creator, you have to have equipment, editing software. As a model, you have to stay in shape, consistently update your photos with your look and in the entrepreneur/creative world you are 100% freelance meaning nothing is guaranteed so most of us have many gigs that we juggle if we are not completely being paid in the area we desire because this is literally 100% hustle and a high probability of rejection. Which is why you see a rise in creatives creating their own work and wear many hats.

My thought process behind starting my business was to have creative control over my intellectual property and do what I see fit for the way I want to show up in the world and not what others think I should be or not be doing. It’s very important to have the legalities taken care of especially since our world is going completely digital day by day.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I never want to put what I do in a box. As far as what sets me a part is just the ability I have to bring out the best in other people. The medium in which I do that is not as important than me fulfilling my purpose. As I elevate within myself, I am able to help others do the same and sometimes thats not in the most predictable way.

I am most proud of my strength to never give up no matter how tough the journey can get.

Professionally, I am still progressing and I believe having the confidence and work ethic to continue is what success is because success means different things to different people. I feel successful but I know there is more!

With anything in life I truly believe that having a strong but flexible mindset is the only way to overcome any challenge in life not just career and knowing why you are doing something because if there is no why then good luck sticking it out.

The major lesson I’ve learned along the way is you really have to be your biggest fan, your best-friend, your everything within because no one can see what you see and sometimes even those close to you can indirectly discourage you unintentionally just because they think differently and you have to be okay with others thinking differently because YOU think differently.

I want the world to know that I CARE about what I do and inspiring others like me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Fogo De Chão is one of my favorite spots!

The typical spots everyone loves are: Piedmont Park, Lenox Mall, Phipps Plaza, The Aquarium, Centennial Park, Coca Cola.

If you’re into HipHop the Trap Museum LOL..

Martin Luther Kings Home/Museum

For foodies Buford Highway has almost every international cuisine you can think of.

Atlanta is a place where you have to know what you’re looking for to find it. So it depends on what you’re in to. The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
God first and foremost.

There’s a good amount of those who have contributed to my journey at different phases of my life

I don’t want to name drop out of respect for their privacy and I don’t want to leave any one out either.

I will say that my biggest support system have been amazing and those are my best friends, family, and mentors.

I’m an avid reader so it’s hard to pick just one book that has contributed to my development.

Website: www.devanteforreal.com

Instagram: Devanteforreal

Image Credits
Rahjiv Staten