Meet CasSandra Williams | CEO/Owner BlackLux & MyProductivityPlann

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

Hi CasSandra, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The thought process of creating BlackLux was to create a lifestyle brand that allowed individuals to celebrate their creative style with creative casual apparel. Regardless of individual’s size, it is all about loving who you are and being able to let one’s personality standout with how you present yourself on a daily basis. It is also about taking a piece and mixing it up from day to an evening piece. Being an individual who loves to be comfortable and wearing things that can also create a conversation with others, all by how I carry myself and loving the skin I am in. Starting BlackLux allowed me to realize I want to work on using my other skills and talent in the business and education industries. For someone who was in the military and then working in corporate America, I knew I had valuable skills that were not being appreciated it as well as not being fully compensated. Starting BlackLux has allowed me to create other platforms to help others increase their productivity along with educating our youth how to maximize getting an education without costing them a lot of money.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I have always loved serving others in any capacity I have been in from serving in the military to corporate America. It was one thing which intrigues me in creating BlackLux and also my other platform MyProductivityPlann. I knew being an entrepreneur was not going to be easy and with having my undergrad and MBA in Human Resources, I knew there will be work and sacrifice occurring in the process. For anyone who is on this entrepreneurial journey, they know it is not an easy one but one which weeds out the weak and not serious. A journey which has allowed me to grow to use my skills and knowledge in opportunities I could not have imagined. I am proud of what I have been able to achieve in the last three and half years, even with facing many challenges of a pandemic and death of a loved one. I am proud of BlackLux having customers in over 42 states and in 5 international countries while looking forward to seeing our products globally in retail stores. In overcoming the challenges, we had to step back for six months with the sudden death of my nephew, which really impacted me and the business. I was not motivated to create new products and really wasn’t focused on anything. I had to step back for a minute and think this is not what my nephew wanted me to be doing and worked on getting myself mentally and physically back into the business. Also, during this time it has provided an opportunity for me to look at how I can honor him. We want to create a program to help our youth to find ways to be innovative in the skills they have and keep them away from the streets, which is a work in progress currently.

Wow, there have been a lot of lessons learned and still learning daily but the few that stand out are; realizing everyone and I mean everyone is not your target audience. One has to learn over time how to niche down these individuals and focus on customers who will be returning customers as well refer your brand to others. Second challenge, create systems in place when situations arise where you cannot be present at the moment. Although, I had some systems in place, it made me work harder in creating systems and documentation that if I have to have someone else handle business for me, they will be able to do. Make sure to document from day one to create your systems and procedures, these will be essential as you grow. Third challenge is not to depend on others when you want to know something in the industry. Research, research, research where you can find tools that will meet your needs as well creating a document of these items to have for references later. There is constant change daily and you have to stay on top of it while working on what you want to bring out next.
I want the world to know that BlackLux is about loving who you are and allowing us to celebrate how you love yourself with clothing that makes you feel good all day everyday.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love my city of Atlanta! There are so many food attractions and sites to see. I love the Beltline, it is a must do where one can rent bikes to ride throughout and getting something to eat at the same time. Also Ponce City Market is great to shop and hang out with friends and family. Definitely give them a variety by taking them to the High Museum, Trap Museum, Tyler Perry Studios, Martin Luther King Center, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, GurlMobb Museum, Candytopia, Culture ATL and as well as hitting the skating rink up at Cascade to have some fun. If basketball season is going on, definitely hit up State Farm Arena to watch the Hawks play. Also, go down to the Home Depot Backyard at the Mercedes Benz stadium. Some of my favorite food places we will have to check out will be Local Green Atlanta, Slutty Vegan, The Real Milk & Honey, The Bando (for good wings) and Atlanta Breakfast Club.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to thank my WerkU Pod sisters for keeping me grounded and allowing me to run ideas through them. They inspire me to not give up and work on ideas I would have never thought about pursuing for myself or my business. Also my family especially my kids, who are part of the business and support me through this business journey. They give me insight of what is trending and not in with their peers. It also has motivated my teenage daughter to want to start her own business endeavors.

Website: www.blackluxonline.com

Instagram: @blackluxlonline @myproductivityplann @thecassandraw

Twitter: BlackLux6

Facebook: OfficialBlackxLux

Other: Email: info@blackluxonline.com