Meet Jia McMillan-Shipley | Writer and Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jia McMillan-Shipley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I wanted to find a way to combine my love for writing, music, black culture and entrepreneurship into one entity and I was able to do so through my brand Kulturally Appropriate.

I know there are myriad brands dedicated to black culture but Wendy’s never stopped because of McDonald’s and Target never stopped because of Walmart, so I figured – why not just go for it? My brand is designed with the kulture in mind. All the merch includes witty phrases, definitions and limited collections that are appropriate for urban kulture. At heart, I know I’m a creative, it was my destiny to start my brand and it’s difficult but rewarding.

My blog The Ikon is also close to my heart as I am a writer by nature. It’s my little slice of the internet that’s dedicated to music, lifestyle, fitness and relationships.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I created Kulturally Appropriate with the sole intent of encouraging overt personal and cultural pride amid distinctive definitions that you’ll only find on Kulturally Appropriate gear. I designed my brand for those intrepid souls, the lighthearted and the unapologetically awesome. I want my garments to make people stop, stare and ask, “What does that say,” – exactly what you thought it did. My tees, hoodies and mugs are a bold declaration of black pride intended to spark some controversy and conversations as well – through conversations we can heal and start anew.

I’m most proud of the uniqueness of my brand and my consistency. It’s a marathon not a sprint. Going viral or having overnight success is not the goal, but longevity and true wealth overtime are my goals.

Balance is also imperative overall. You need a balance between work and life, between play and business, between personal relationships and professional relationships, between rest and hustle mode. How you balance life is determined by not only how much you can carry but what you can carry before you begin to tip over. Some people need three hours of sleep, you might need eight – take eight. Some people can network all day, however, for you, groups might give you anxiety so you can only network, in person, once or twice a week. Some people hire experts to help with the success of their business while others are solopreneurs. There’s no wrong answer but take note when you feel tired and when you feel empowered. Take note of the times you are most alert versus the times you are not – self-awareness will also aid in adopting a successful work-life balance. Without the proper balance some aspect of your life will suffer, if not all. I keep a planner. It keeps me on track, focused and well-balanced – try it.

Regarding lessons learned, the hardest pill to swallow at first is the lack of organic support. The people that you just knew would run, hop, skip and jump to purchase your products – don’t. It stings a little at first but it’s a part of the journey, touch your warm and cold markets when your hot markets get chilly on you.

To succeed you need to understand that its business not personal and you must stay consistent. Without consistency, you’ll never see results in anything you do in life, rather that’s entrepreneurship, fitness, finance etc. You must be consistent and you need to develop a sponge-like mentality. Suck up everything around you, learn, invest in yourself, network, go to events, take courses – never stop learning. You owe it to yourself and your endeavors. You can take breaks but you can’t quit. Consistency also comes with passion. When you are passionate about what you do, consistency will follow because you enjoy it.

You need God, too. Without him, nothing is possible and he fuels me when I’m weak, discouraged, inspired, tired, reluctant, indifferent, proud etc. – he’s always there. There’s an inevitable wave of emotions that you will experience as an entrepreneur. God is a necessity. He helps weather that storm and if you can get through the storm, you will succeed.

I also believe that without risks, you can’t reach your full potential. Playing it safe won’t make you successful. Risks are necessary. I took a huge leap of faith when I moved to Atlanta the first time in 2015, at age 22, with $200.00 and a dream. I have zero regrets. My risks are what define me. It’s those things that you are willing to do against all odds that shape your experiences, your journey, your wealth, your relationships etc.

I know people that played it safe, subsisting in an incessant sea of, “What it’s.” I’d rather just do it, instead of dreaming about if I had because as Hov once said, “I’d rather die enormous than live dormant,” and that is the motto I live my life by.

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’m still relatively new to Atlanta. I lived here once before between 2015-2019 but a lot has changed since then. I would take my best friend to museums, maybe to a studio session with me, to bars, clubs etc.

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?
My grandma is a huge inspiration to me. She keeps me encouraged and uplifted. My friend Tee keeps me creatively stimulated and spiritually motivated. Last, but not least, I have to thank God, without him, none of this is possible.

Website: KulturallyAppropriate.com The-Ikon.com

Instagram: @missikonic @kulturallyappropriate @theikon_

Twitter: @missikonic @bekulture

Facebook: @kulturallyappropriate

Other: Tiktok @missikonic