Miss Bling: So, I bought these glasses. I was buying individual pairs of shades before I knew I could buy in bulk. I would pick unique, vintage pieces, and I found these glasses on the south side. They had the big frames and big arms. They were lime green and dark green. I instantly thought of Bishop Don Juan. People said they wanted them, but i said no, these are the Don Juan shades. I saw him one day, and was debating on whether I should stop. I finally said it’s now or never. I told him who I was, and that I had some shades I wanted to bling out. I showed him, and he basically said do it. I wasn’t so sure just yet what I would do, but I went home, looked at this dollar, and cut it up. I put it on the glasses, and put bling around it. I showed my mom, and she was excited about them. It was like a wow effect for everybody who saw it. He loved them so much, and it was the first time I made like $1000 in 8 minutes. Everybody was coming up, wanting something blinged out. From there, it became Bling Genius. At first, it was Creations by Miss Bling. I had it all uploaded online, and things got so big that people were literally trying to pull me over on the expressway to get things.
U.G. Digital Mag: Did you stick to certain items?
Miss Bling: Initially it was T-Shirts. We would put words on shirts and call it “Say What”. Somebody had the name already though. But it started with the shirts, and extended to the sunglasses. I didn’t want to limit myself to certain things though. I blinged an urn for someone, which was different for sure.
U.G. Digital Mag: It’s cool because people see more and more where your entrepreneurial spirit comes from.
Miss Bling: Yes. It then became a coin thing for my show. When I started Bling Radio, I had a complete structure, and I do everything. I produce my own show, host the show, bring in the talent, and if I go to events, I do the pictures, interviews, and so on. I may have someone assist, but I still do it all. I wanted to be able to learn everything so I can teach people to work with me, not for me, but with me.
U.G. Digital Mag: So fast forward to your moves and relocation. There was Alabama, Atlanta, and other places.
Miss Bling: Radio was really popping for me. I started to do my own PR. It did well with MySpace. I had like 20,000 followers. Celebrities were putting me on their top lists. I started Bling radio truthfully because a friend kept asking me what i did for a living. I told her I went to school for radio. For a month, I researched about online radio stations. I ended up finding Blog Talk radio. it stood out because I could have people call in. September 4 was when I found it in 2007, and I scheduled my first show September 7. Internet radio was brand new. They had maybe 5,000 shows then. They now have more than 5 million. I’ve recorded about 1000 myself.
U.G. Digital Mag: That’s amazing to have done so much, but you’re your own entity.
Miss Bling: Right. Bling is all about believing life is not a game. That’s what it means for me. I’m a hustler. My uncle calls me the bootlegger of the family [laughing]. I asked why, and he said every time he saw me, I was always grinding and selling something. I don’t get offended anymore now [laughing]. I’ve always had the hustler spirit. I’ve been working for myself since 7th grade. I’ve been self taught.
U.G. Digital Mag: Yes. That’s amazing, and you can do a number of different things.
Miss Bling: Exactly. I’m a libra, and very spontaneous and adventurous. I get bored really quick. I wrote out things that I loved, wanted to do, and things I’ve done. Of all the things, everything all fell under broadcasting. When I started broadcasting school, I had been planning to start school as an ultrasound tech. Everyone I’ve encountered have said I’m in the right field. They have all been just as excited as me.
U.G. Digital Mag: That’s great though. Talk about the struggles you’ve had throughout your journey?