Welcome back to another installment of the Rooted Minds Blog’s Spotlight Feature, where we shine a light on creatives, artists, and entrepreneurs that are making strides to take their careers to the next level. In addition to that, it is a space where we can celebrate the success stories of members of our community, friends, and newly discovered creatives. I hope that the new year has been good for you so far!
Our spotlights are the perfect opportunity for us to introduce our supporters to new creatives and brands that are making tremendous strides in their fields. Our goal is to continue to find stories that we can celebrate and amazing people that we can connect with our readers.
This feature includes an artist in our Phoenix Community that has been growing and looking for new ways to connect. They’ve supported some of our I Am Root Events at the Rebel Lounge and we are glad to be able to connect with them and learn more about their journey.
BIO: Bonita Williams has been creating art for hire for people and music artists and recently a volunteer artist for a children's hospital to help a proportion of a mural with a two separate live news features. Currently living in Texas finishing a degree in graphic design growing my business and selling original art created while traveling to states like California and Arizona and soon more to grow to be an international artist.
INTERVIEW: Bonita Williams
RM: Rooted Minds
BW: Bonita Williams
RM: What has been your journey to being an artist OR owning your own business and what has been the most impactful lesson that you've learned?
BW: My journey as an artist started by sort of a premonition after a death in my family. I've always been into art but I stopped for some reason in high school and thought I actually wanted to be a personal stylist. Though I still love fashion and clothes I knew after that premonition telling me that I can go far as an artist I just kept at it. To this day though getting closer to owning my business as an LLC the most impactful lesson I've learned is to promote yourself wherever you are literally your neighborhood, job, social media, and anywhere that's in your city.
RM: For those that may not know, how did you come up with the name or concept for your business or project?
BW: So currently I'm working on one project about institutionalization working with an artist whose Instagram is @origin93dotcom the project idea came about while being on probation at one point in my life for a year. Being on probation really stopped the progress of me being a better artist because of how much money I would have every two weeks and the end of the month. Luckily it never crushed my spirit but I know people that may be in similar situations with worse circumstances and how it'll affect decisions they'll make and the environment they're in. The concept I've been creating is called smile it all started with just my mindset of knowing even in the hardest times smile because soon it'll be better maybe even better than I expected.
RM: Tell us about your inspiration behind an upcoming project and what do you hope the audience takes away from it?
BW: The inspiration behind this project came from knowing that in the art to me is about keeping things vague but still very obvious to the viewer. So I knew I wanted to work with this art because of the way they use colors and patterns in what seems to be conceptual art alongside my own depictions. What I hope my audience take from it is how life can be a beautiful disaster that you may or may not be able to control at times and to be aware that people of color might be going through things you'd never know about, try to help if its comfortably, and don't have judgment before you know their circumstance.
RM: What have been some effective ways that you've marketed yourself in your space and industry?
BW: The most effective ways I've marketed myself was going to events that are for your field of interest and making honest friendships with people who are into the things you are into and offering a service and product you can sell.
RM: How have you grown as an entrepreneur or creative in the last 5 years and who's been influential in that process?
BW: My journey as a creative started in 2017 but I honestly wouldn't say it really started till 2020 and I've grown in many ways such as what my goal is and how I plan on reaching it. Who's influenced me in my progress isn't anyone in particular honestly I'm not big on doing things because someone else did that but instead knowing that if someone like Vashtie or Teyanna Taylor or Kanye west or rico nasty can make a name for themselves so can I by following my own instincts and interests.
RM: What are some short-term goals that you are working towards, that friends and supporters can help you with?
BW: Honestly a short-term goal that supports and helps with is sharing anything on my social media or website or referring me to people they know for anything like commissions, videography, or modeling.
RM: What are one or two things that keep you grounded? How do you practice good self-care or how can you practice it better (if you've been lacking in that area)?
BW: Things that keep me grounded are my foundation like my personal finances and the house I live in. I practice good self-care by writing in a journal my progress and goals and the positive things I tell myself.
RM: What are some words of wisdom or encouragement for upcoming creative entrepreneurs that you'd like to share?
BW: Keep going no matter what. Sometimes you'll literally have to be your own motivational speaker over your life because you will be surprised how far you'll go when telling yourself it'll all work out, in the end, no matter how it may look now and to keep learning and growing constantly.
RM: What has been the best piece of advice you have ever received in reference to your career and industry?
BW: Have no fear of failure and do what has to be done by any means necessary.
Thanks for your supporting and for checking out this feature. You can check out her work, positive affirmations, and poetry here www.instagram.com/okaybonita
LINKS to the Bonita Williams - Beezy Bees Art
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Peep our last feature with London James
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More about Dom Root
I am from Inglewood, California, currently working in Phoenix, Arizona as a Sound Engineer (Live, Recording, and Mixing). I am a Music Producer and Creative Artist looking to build portfolio and for live performance opportunities. I graduated from Arizona State University studying Creative Writing and Philosophy. I later studied audio production technologies at Mesa Community College, before taking on more freelance work.
Dom