Today we’d like to introduce you to Smoove.
Hi Smoove; please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2012, I was purchased an iPod touch from my father. Since that same day, I have become addicted to social media. Social media is a timestamp, live feed, community space, and so much more when we think about it. Once I realized the endless possibilities, I wanted to dive in more. Learning about analytics, branding, strategies, and the importance of connections is what put me in my shoes today.
Starting with Event Curation in October 2018, I was about to implement all of my skills and connections. Connecticut’s Own was produced twice in 2019, six months apart from each other. Still being a fashion show spoken about today. I was given the opportunity to host a college fashion show this spring due to that experience and impact. Then owning a sunglasses shop that same year, we are now in our third year. SHADEBYSMOOVE has become the top sunglasses shoppe within Connecticut, I couldn’t have done it without social media. Three years later, I am dominating the strategist side of things. Digital is where I like to stay. Doing project management and guiding teams to see success is what it’s all about for me.
SourcedBySmoove has always been a dream of mine. Originally being an idea for a magazine, I wanted almost everything to be within a 20-page book. Quarterly. In my state, things aren’t displayed if it’s not on a corporates budget or timing. Many creators in my state deserve to have their talents highlighted forever in the timestamp. Growing with one another, we deserve the uplift.
In 2021, I had the opportunity to pitch my idea for SourcedBySmoove to a fellow creator, Tyra Dixion and was granted funding. At that time, I was trying to interview one of my fav artists and was getting declined because I didn’t have the credit or the publication to be considered valid. With my grant, I purchased a year’s worth of website hosting to create a community. To create timestamps. To grow. Fast forward to now, we have a team of 10 bloggers, over 100 blog postings, a youtube channel, a podcast, and so much more in the works. My goal by 2030 is to own a production studio for all types of creators to create. It’s vital to me to provide people with a one-stop shop to get digitally and physically sourced.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The only obstacle I face is just needing a mentor. I learn everything by diving into things head first. I have been accomplishing things and learning along the way just by being hands-on and curious. Being young and just being able to try everything is a blessing I will never take for granted. The only other obstacle I have are having trouble landing jobs because I didn’t attend college. Not having a degree in marketing or business for the labels Id love to work for is unrealistic.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about SourcedBySmoove?
SourcedBySmoove is the multimedia network keeping you sourced. What we do here is nothing besides Smoove. We provide multimedia visual, written, and audio. We curate playlists, podcasts, write-ups, press releases, blogs, event coverage, and interviews; we do it all here. We distribute to creators who need somewhere to home and display their creations. Soon easing into marketing, branding, and another digital development packaging, we are on the right track for our first year.
What sets us apart is the impact we have. I have been able to onboard interns, current seniors in college, and recent graduates. I am providing a role to those who are eager to create smoove work and who aren’t in the same state as me—everyone within my state talks to me about my site and the content we provide. We have helped artists get more placements and coverage in major publications due to the press we provided them with.
The proudest thing is launching a visual series I have had in my business plan since 2017. Being able to launch passion projects that include my community is the win. I will not be proud if the people in my community want to include my team and me and be a part of what I have going on. For some of the contributors on the site, this is their first opportunity to create and/or learn. Being able to provide opportunities and knowledge to those on my team is what makes me sleep better at night.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
The best thing about my city is that Hartford is growing in many ways; my least favorite thing, it’s very slow-paced.
Contact Info:
- Website: SourcedBySmoove.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/SourcedBySmoove
- Twitter: Twitter.com/SourcedBySmoove
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5xUGTe5KrgzXbUfWbmitUA
- SoundCloud: https://audiomack.com/sourcedbysmoove
Image Credits
George Lee – @OneGunGutty.
