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

Hi RushDee, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting my own business became a thought somewhere between me being an artist wanting to keep creative control of my process, and realizing I already made myself a business by navigating, executing, and securing placement agreements within the music/entertainment industry myself. Starting my clothing brand was a bit different. One of my branding techniques since I wasn’t releasing music was to hashtag “#BeGenius” across all platforms. With that alot of people gravitated to the tips, and knowledge that would come before it. And with wanting to show support they began asking for “BeGenius” shirts, and boom BeGenius Clothing was born!  

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I got where I am by first understanding a few rules; stay focused, alway believe in yourself, and NEVER GIVE UP. Nothing about it was easy at all, especially being an artist and producer coming from a city that’s only recognized for sports. Yes, Stevie Wonder was born in Saginaw, MI, but I think we can agree he’s a legend everywhere. Yet and still, the challenges I overcame weren’t exclusive to just me. As I like to say “same story, different narrator.” The only difference is how I choose to tell my story. I didn’t grow up in a single parent household, but I did grow up in a very low income community. I wasn’t privy to the American dream, I had to curate my own. I learned you can’t be a product of your environment, you have to be a product of where you want to go. And that’s why I love BeGenius so much. It’s a lifestyle brand more than anything. A reminder whatever you do in life, do it with GENIUS.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
That’s a great but hard question to answer. my city is going through a growth stage right now and a lot of the places I grew up on don’t exist anymore. Some of the landmarks and points of interest hasn’t changed though. East Genesee is one of the most famous streets in Saginaw. Back in the day no matter what side of town you was from, that’s where you went to drive up and down the strip and show your car off, see people you knew walking down the street, or stopping at the corner stores to hang out. Vargas is another point of interest. If you know anything about Saginaw, it’s we got the best tacos in the world thanks to Vargas bread, a local company that makes corn and flour bread. Big shoutout to them! Rib Shack is another place of interest but they’re no longer operating. Rite Spot is another Saginaw diner the city loves. Not too much more worth mentioning, but if I forgot anything i’m sure i’ll hear an earful about it later.  Oh can’t forget the high schools known for notorious sports seasons, Saginaw High and Arthur Hill.  Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Of course, I’ve told my professional story a lot and mentioned close friends in the music and entertainment business. But I’d like to specifically dedicate this to my family and close supporters. The ones who’ve seen this process through before anyone else knew my name. To name a few (sorry if I miss anyone, judge me by my heart) my father for never telling me dream different but instead telling me perfect the dream in front of me, my mother for telling me BeGenius from day one, my step mother who always provided us a safe haven to grow and be free to express ourselves, my god father and god mother for ALWAYS speaking life into my dreams and being one of my biggest cheerleaders, and a few of my siblings who make sure they reach out to me every single day to keep me focused, grounded, and never taking a day off with me because God knows I can be a handful (Aurscanta, Herriyyah, JC, and Shawonna). Those are the ones who day in and day out keep the motivational lights on. No discount to anyone else, I got a big support system (more siblings, friends, and close family included). If I get too deep into giving names we’d be here for a while. I really just want to highlight the people who never ever gave up on me and made sure I didn’t let the outside noise distract me. Oh yeah S/O my big sister Althea too. She introduced me to the FIRST song I remember falling in love with, Wild, Wild, West by Kool Moe Dee. Alright let me stop right there because I’m thinking of names as we speak and if I name any more I’d have to name EVEN more! So that’s it for now but everyone is appreciated y’all know who you are.

Website: www.EverythingBeGenius.com
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RushDeeOfficial
Linkedin: RushDee Williams
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RushDeeOfficial
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RushDeeOfficial

Image Credits
All images were photographed by Juma Mounger-Williams for ShotByJuma, LLC. (@ShotByJuma)

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