Meet D.Star Stroman | Artist/CEO /Founder/ Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with D.Star Stroman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi D.Star, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My entrepreneurial journey began at a young age, driven by an innate passion for music, fashion, and food. At 14-15, I transformed my mother’s apartment into my first business hub, focusing on clothing and hair. The satisfaction of clients fueled my ambition. As I delved deeper into entrepreneurship, I aimed to break generational cycles and build a legacy for my family.

Coming from an African American background, the conventional path emphasized finishing school and securing a job, leaving little room for entrepreneurship. I realized the importance of pursuing my passions, steering away from the societal pressure to conform to traditional norms. Though not dismissing the value of education, I acknowledged the significance of aligning it with personal passion.

God guided me from clothing and music to event planning/catering, culminating in the creation of The Vegan Freakk in 2016. The tragic loss of my mother to illnesses linked to poor dietary choices served as a catalyst for founding The Vegan Freakk. This experience motivated me to prioritize a healthier lifestyle and leverage my culinary and artistic skills to craft delicious vegan dishes. Throughout this odyssey, collaborations with diverse individuals, including celebrities, have enriched my entrepreneurial journey.
 

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.
What is The Vegan Freakk about?

I created The Vegan Freakk to raise awareness on health by enjoying delicious vegan food in a unique way. Many people aren’t aware that what you eat controls the way you think, live and even your sex life. Which, I get into more depth on The Vegan Freakk Show ATL airing in 2024.. Stay tuned ! You really don’t want to miss this show. It’s a vibe, where my special guest enjoy great food provided by The Vegan Freakk, we talk about trending and spicy life topics, educate people on veganism in a very fun and interesting way. The Vegan Freakk is far from boring like your ex lover, think of us as your new forever boo.

What sets The Vegan Freakk apart from others?

At The Vegan Freakk, I take pride in setting myself apart from other vegan businesses through my unwavering commitment to inclusively and catering to a wide range of dietary needs. What makes The Vegan Freakk truly unique is that all of my delectable vegan recipes and products are not only cruelty-free but also gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, and legume-free.
I myself suffer from food allergens which is why I am very passionate about providing easy-to-follow vegan recipes free of gluten, soy, nuts, legumes and dairy, tips on how to sustain a healthy vegan lifestyle, elevation and interesting information about the benefits of veganism. This dedication to offering allergen-free options ensures that individuals with various dietary restrictions can savor our delicious offerings without worry, promoting a sense of inclusivity and accessibility. I firmly believe that everyone deserves to indulge in the goodness of plant-based cuisine, regardless of their dietary limitations. By crafting a diverse menu that caters to these specific needs, The Vegan Freakk creates a welcoming space for individuals seeking allergen-free, ethical and nutritious alternatives. We’re all about embracing a wellness-focused lifestyle. My commitment to quality, taste, and inclusivity defines us, making The Vegan Freakk the go to destination for those in search of wholesome, allergen-free vegan delights. The Vegan Freakk is turning the world out. Are you ready to be turned out? Join us on our journey to a healthier lifestyle, elevation is key.

How did you get to where you are today professionally?

I can honestly go on and on with this answer but I’m going to name my top 5. First and foremost, Prayer! I come from a spiritual background. My grandmother was a great and well-known minister. I’m not afraid to say I pray. I pray day in and day out honay.

Then there’s consistency. Being consistent will never go unnoticed. After all you can’t just pray and expect for whatever you’re praying for to just fall out of the sky. You have to put that work in and stay consistent, it takes time. Will it be easy? No. But it will be worth it. Nothing good comes easy. I grew up in Brooklyn, New York in NYCHA, Fort Greene and East New York to be exact. Shout out to Brooklyn, New York and NYCHA. Many people stereotype people that come from “the hood” but what they leave out is a lot of the greatest people come from “the hood’. Which is why I always say don’t let where you come from determine where you’re going in life. i sure didn’t. People are going to always have something to say regardless so simply do you, the best way you know how to. Don’t let your surroundings discourage you.

Next is surrounding myself around the right people. I learned that you block your own blessings by holding on to people you should’ve been let go. Like my grandmother always said “walk in faith not in fear” I stopped worrying about letting people that wasn’t right for me go and replaced them with people who want to see me win in real life. And listen, I don’t care what anyone says. If they aren’t supporting they’re not important. Don’t be afraid to let go of what you outgrew. That’s called growth. Yes people will say you changed but that’s what we all are supposed to do. Like I said, it’s called growth. Everyone isn’t meant to go where you’re going. I stopped ignoring all red flags and I also stopped depending on people who I thought were my friends and even family to support me. I remember I used to really feel away about this. Until I realized there’s a big world out there. I started going outside and networking with strangers, looking for what I have to offer. By doing that not only did I build my following but I also built trust with my customers and audience.

Another thing I love to do is learn. There’s no limit on learning. No matter how old you get you can always learn something new. That’s another way to perfect your craft. I stay updated on what’s going on around me, from social media, events, etc. I stay on it and I stay trending.

Lastly, being myself and accepting who I am at all times. I always tell people no matter what, always be yourself, this way
you can attract the people/audience that’s meant for you. Don’t try to be someone you’re not and also don’t dim your lights for anyone.

I’m going to be very transparent, when I first started my business and even afterwards I had people who I once thought I could trust steal business ideas and money from me. Guess what? Little do they know that was a blessing and a lesson. God will expose people that you need to get rid of. Like I mentioned before, never ignore those red flags. I also used to hold back just a little. I was dimming my own light worrying about blinding others but now I let my lights shine bright. I don’t care who gets blinded, lol. I got rid of any and everyone that was trying to steal and or dim my lights. Which inspired me to create a song about this. Make sure you all go download Lights by D.Star The Boss. Yup. I’m still an artist and I get booked to perform as well. What can I say, God is great!

What am I most proud of or excited about?

I am happy that God chose me to do what I do. Like Jay Z said this is high level not eye level. Providing anything that creates elevation is godly. So I appreciate everyone that truly and genuinely loves me first ,my brand The Vegan Freakk, my food, events, products and merch. I have such an amazing line of clothing, allergen friendly seasonings, sauces, cookbooks, digital e cookbooks, planners and recipe books that so many people around the world love. I’ve touched and turned and still is turning so many people out from many different walks of life. I’m talking about different cultures, younger and older. Y’all no one thing about them Og’s, they’re going to keep it real at all times. Having everyone rock with me, The Vegan Freakk, my music and everything that I do means a lot to me. It lets me know that I’m on the right track and it keeps me going.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

I want the world to know that everything I do is from the heart. I started from the bottom, and now I’m here. A teen mom from Brooklyn, New York, with absolutely no handouts. The odds were against me. People judged me for having a child at a young age. Not only am I an absolutely amazing mother, but I also built a million-dollar brand from scratch. I’m not done yet. I say all of that to say this: don’t let where you come from, the lack of support, or the lack of knowledge determine where you are going. Get out there and be great at whatever it is you choose to do. The sky is just a view it’s not the limit. If I can do it, so can you. Let’s get it.

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?
Well to be completely honest my friends and I always have the greatest times at my house. Not only because I can actually eat what I cook because it’s vegan and allergen friendly but we always have the best time. My husband started out as a dj before becoming a producer and artist so he set the vibes with the music and I set the vibes with the food. We throw the best gatherings / house parties, period!

I highly suggest people to pop out to any of The Vegan Freakk events if you’re looking for good vibes, energy, food and just to be surrounded by positivity. If you know, you know it’s always super lit!

I also enjoy taking my friends and family that come visit me here in ATL to Mimosa Jam ATL created by Host Condo and Dj Sings featuring Zay Weezy and Gibson The Realtor. Those are my husband and I bros. Wherever they are, it’s always going to be a lituation and the bottomless mimosas are always on point. If you know me you know I love to surround myself with great energy and I also love a great turn up, eating good , twerking and living life.

another on of my favorite events I like to take my friends and or family to is The Resource Guild Black Media Mixers founded by my good friend Mr. Daniel Dickey “The Renaissance Man ” who’s also an award winning brand strategist at The Resource Guild. The Black Media Mixers are always so informative and have a whole vibe. It’s great for all entrepreneurs. Like I said I only surround myself with greatness.

My next favorite spot to visit is The Battery Atlanta, I just love the whole vibe. I am still new to Atlanta so I’m still exploring more great and fun places. I have a lot of places on my list that I haven’t gotten to yet.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shout out to my beautiful angels. My grandmother, Minister Mildred Wells. My mother Donna Franklin and my aunt Joyce Franklin. They were the strongest women I’ve ever known. My grandmother’s prayers are still with me to this day. Having these women in my life is what made me the strong, confident, loving and unstoppable woman I am today.

I would also like to thank my handsome loving husband Kaleel for being a team player, believing and supporting me in everything that I do. He’s the best!

Lastly, I would like to thank our beautiful daughter Diamond for demonstrating resilience and creativity, traits that have undoubtedly influenced and inspired my own ventures. Seeing her navigate challenges and pursue her passions has been a source of immense pride. It reminds me that success is not only about personal achievements but also about fostering a legacy that spans generations.

Website: www.theveganfreakk.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theveganfreakk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theveganfreakk

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvOGe3SNfx5N42slFdpZBbw

Other: The Vegan Freakk Store https://www.theveganfreakk.com/shop Music Links : D.Star The Boss – Lights https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dstartheboss/lights D.Star The Boss – Big Boss https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dstartheboss/big-boss K.Stros & D.Star The Boss – Win https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/kstrosanddstar/win-3