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

Hi Influence, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Knowing that, in any company’s eyes, I’m just another number that’s expendable is just one of the reasons why I haven’t worked for anyone in 25 years. Knowing that the same energy could go into building my own brand and marketing myself as well as my talents was a better path to take. Companies care not about their employees or customers and lack attention to details that actually matter for the most part. Seeing all of these flaws as I broke my back for pennies just never sat well with me.

Investing in myself and all things beneficial to myself was a complete game changer in itself. I couldn’t be more proud at this point in time. especially looking back at the horrible treatment I received from terrible people in positions of power. In this new day and age, with how society has devolved, it seems more logical to alleviate the middleman, and all that doesn’t serve your journey well. I believe that success begins in the mind and manifests as time progresses. The time taken to be successful can’t be divided or broken up into segments. It really should be the sole focus at hand. When one has to work, that shouldn’t stop them from pursuing personal dreams and aspirations. A major balance is required. It’s easy to forget why you exist in the midst of chaos and disorder.

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.
My brand is an extension of myself as well as my talents. I’m an artist first. I have music out in the world with several legends of hip-hop stemming from the likes of Krs One to members of Brand Nubian such as Sadat X and more notables on the underground. I’ve worked with some of the best producers in the game and am still making music with them. I have my clothing available at Redbubble.com as well as FineArtAmerica.com, which are both top Forbes list suggestions. I create and design all of my own merchandise.

It started 23 years ago when I needed a logo to represent myself. I then drew the logo up digitally and had it brought to life on a T-shirt. The rest is history. Since then. I’ve sold my brand throughout the world successfully. Global, not local, is my state of mind at all times. I focused outward, then worked my way back towards the US. I utilized the beginning stages of social media platforms to strengthen my buzz. My talents helped attract people who support me to this day. I still have supporters from MySpace and Blackplanet on my Facebook and Instagram.

The world will try to hinder you, but you can’t let it. Follow every single dream you have that’s positive. I spent lots of time telling people to do so. I hope they listen. It’s imperative. The challenges of running your own business and working for yourself can be overwhelming, but it is well worth the trials and tribulations as the years go by. Sleep is lost several nights when I’m up working on designing or creating, then networking what I’ve created. I also act and have to go over lines periodically for projects. I have a profile on IMDB under my legal name (Daniel Stewart Delapenha). I’ve appeared in “Bronx SIU” (Amazon Prime, WatchAllblk, etc.), “God Friended Me” (CBS), and some other projects that haven’t been released yet. I love to act, and I have worked with Hollywood actors such as “Shanti Lowery”, and more.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Navi The North

Website: https://www.redbubble.com/people/INFLUENCEGETEM/shop?utm_source=rb-native-app&utm_campaign=share-artist&utm_medium=android

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ig730gotbars?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/influencegetem

Twitter: https://rwitter.com/ig730gotbars

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InfluenceGetem?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@InfluenceGetem

Other: https://pin.it/5eIwl4g

Image Credits
Photo credits to Daniel Stewart Delapenha

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