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

Hi Dashawn, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
Changing up my friends and the people I let in my space because I’m a true believer of the quote “you become the company you keep” and I couldn’t & still can’t let negative mediocre vibes touch me just because it doesn’t aligned with the plans I have for myself.

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.
Honestly, my first thought into starting a business was to create my own Music Record Label called (Belly of the East Records), just because all of my close friends and relatives were deeply into the music scene around that time, but once I realized the work wasn’t cut for me I just thought to cut out the last 4 words out of the name and just keep the word “Belly” and just using it as a metaphor towards my brand which basically means whatever emotions, actions, or things we go through in everyday life would be stored and shown within the brand.

It’s definitely not easy just because it requires a lot of work and determination because it’s always changing, and a lot of people fail or have a hard time staying focus by just getting distracted of what’s going on around them.

Belly is for everyone.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in New Jersey but I travel to NY from time to time just because it right there next to my city, so first I would take them to 4 seasons Café almost every morning of the week just to get a morning smoothie with sea-moss cause there’s no better way to start your morning other than with some healthy and rejuvenating. Then as far as dinner or lunch I would take them to NY where we can eat at Clydes & Fraziers because their Salmon over there is 5 stars. Then as far as the fun we’ll probably head over to Battle Creek to play paintball.

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

Mom & Dad
Cause they made me

My girlfriend/partner
She’s been here helping me in every way, and she’s just motivating and never boring, my muse honestly

My Friends & Family
For believing in me and keeping me motivating to work on new projects

Website: https://bellyunderground.bigcartel.com/

Instagram: Instagram.com/eastcoastshawn

Image Credits
@Trendy.naj @runitup_danny

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