Today we’d like to introduce you to Q LaSha McMillan.
Hi Q LaSha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hi. I’m Q LaSha. I’m 28 years old and I’m originally from Mobile, AL. I own a merchandise company that was founded in 2020 amidst a global pandemic, COVID 19. I am a mother to the most amazing 6-year-old, Sidney. My journey thus far has been a crazy ride for sure. Crazy is good. It’s those very twists and turns that life throws at us that allow us to be become who we’re meant to be. In my humble opinion, there is no cloud 9 without a rock bottom. A few years ago, rock bottom is exactly where I found myself. I struggled silently with mental illness for years until one day silence didn’t cut it anymore. I experienced being homeless with my then 3-year-old son. I moved cross-country a few times trying to find some sort of peace. That experience ignited a fire in me that is still burning bright today. I also documented being homeless on my YouTube channel because I hoped my story would one day inspire someone who needed that extra push. After about a year of reassembling the pieces of my life that depression had broken, I decided to go into business for myself. I come from a family of entrepreneurs and knew that that was the path I wanted to embark upon as well. I currently run my merchandise company, Vicky B. Merch, that offers trendy women’s clothing designed by myself. Also, I’m currently starting another business. I am getting certified in-home staging and interior decorating. My goal is to own several air BnB properties and completely design each of them myself. I would like to partner with realtors in the Nashville area and stage homes for potential buyers. I’m one of those people that can spend all day in Hobby Lobby or At Home. I’m just a creative in all senses of the word. I love to create and inspire.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve had several challenges in my lifetime. One being that I’m a sexual abuse survivor. I truly believe that trauma as a child is directly related to the mental illness that I work very diligently to overcome daily. I would like for your readers to know that if they have experience something similar, that they can flourish without a doubt. Experiencing mental illness, such depression and anxiety can seem almost unbearable at times. The life of an entrepreneur can be a rollercoaster similar to the wild ride of mental illness. Balance is key. I’ve learned that self-care is a priority, not an option. I make time for myself as often as possible. When I’m in a great headspace, my workdays are less stressful. Lastly, experiencing homelessness was one of my biggest challenges. It can be a very humiliating experience if you look at from society’s perspective. When someone is homeless, most people assume someone is lazy or simply not “doing enough”. That is simply not the case in most instances. My son and I were in a shelter for 60 days. I worked part-time as a server. I can remember walking almost everywhere I needed to go because I didn’t have a car at the time. Sometimes, rock bottom isn’t rock bottom at all. When you’ve hit your lowest, life gives you an involuntary reset. It’s a chance to start over and build a better life.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about BLK Interiors LLC?
BLK Interiors LLC is a very new company that offers home staging, interior decorating, and redecorating services in Nashville and surrounding areas. What sets my company apart from others is my focus on how interior design directly impacts a client’s mental health. The way a room is designed from paint to a flower vase can have an effect on one’s energy. Our home should be our safe haven and a place to decompress all of life’s stressors. When consulting with a client, it is my goal to ensure each of their needs are met for the best possible outcome. Also, BLK is short for black. I would like to change the melancholy emotion associated with the color black as it relates to interior design. I will specialize in creating dark spaces that provide a cozy, stylish feel. I love matte black decorative items and abstract art as well.
Any big plans?
In addition to my home staging and decorating services, I offer home decor as well. One of my major goals is to host mixers for like-minded women in the professional realm. My focus would be mental health awareness as it relates to entrepreneurship. It would be an opportunity to network and create a community for professional and personal growth. I would like to start a non-profit organization for young women who aspire to be entrepreneurs as well.
Contact Info:
- Email: Shopblkinteriors@gmail.com
- Website: https://blkinteriors.bigcartel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blkinteriorsllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vickybmerch/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/TheQLaSha
Image Credits
Charles Beason
