Meet Lakeshia Pearsall | Chief Executive Officer

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

Hi Lakeshia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was stuck at a job that I hated. I would get up daily for a gruesome commute, work all day for someone else, and then make my way back home. I did this until one day I decided that I didn’t want to be a 9-5 worker for the rest of my life. I wanted to be able to have a say in what my day would look like. I wanted a realistic version of work-life balance, and I knew I couldn’t get that working for someone else. I did a lot praying and a lot of research. Finally, I did what a lot of entrepreneurs do, and just took a leap of faith and started building my business. I knew that being in a better place mentally, financially, and even spiritually could not come about as long as I was tied to someone else’s dream.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business started officially in April 2019. The year prior, my husband and I lost our first son. Our entire family was devastated. I was home on maternity leave and as a distraction from the grief, I began to make t-shirt designs. I had no intention of making or selling them, I just made designs. After a while, I started showing them to my closest friends and loved ones, and they boosted my confidence by saying they were pretty good. So, I purchased a heat press and a vinyl cutter. I had no idea what to do with them, or how to operate them. I threw myself into learning various software programs and learning how to use my equipment. I had a lot of trial and error. I spent quite a few all nighters completing orders. I am very passionate about my work and business. Jay Mack Designs is certified as a Historically Underutilized Business, and as a Small Business Enterprise by the state of North Carolina. Along the way, I’ve learned that a business is a living, breathing thing that can change and evolve over time. For us, we started just by designing t-shirts and now we provide promotional merchandising services for entrepreneurs and small businesses. We have evolved into something that we never anticipated, and it has been a beautiful ride.

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?
In Greensboro, NC I would take my friend to The GreenHill Center for NC Art which has a glamorous exhibition space that spans 7,000 square feet. We would visit Mad Splatter, which is a local art studio where you can slip on a paint suit, go into the Splatter Zone, and relieve some stress by using brushes and other tools to express yourself. I would take my friend to downtown Greensboro for a bite to eat at Crafted, one of North Carolina’s best spots for Mexican-Asian fusion fare. We would visit Boston’s House of Jazz to hang out and relax with the grown and sexy crowd in the city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Definitely. I want to dedicate my shoutout to my husband, and President of Jay Mack Designs, LLC. He has been a constant source of support, encouragement, and motivation. He has had my back through the worst days and celebrated with me on the best days. I am forever grateful for him.

Website: https://jaymackdesigns.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/jaymackdesigns

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jaymackdesigns

Facebook: Facebook.com/jaymackdesigns