Learning Crypto in Community, a Fashion Designer | Nigeria

6:45AThis is this is someone who was once depressed. This was how they came out of it. Nobody’s judging you. You’re feeling very very like oh, so there’s a platform like this who is not judging me for. for doing this. Oh, oh, I’m not -- oh, you know, you know that time where something that has happened to you and you see someone talk about it, you’re like, damn, I’m not alone. That feeling is so relieving. So picking topics, picking people that have experiences that are relatable, you will be shocked how much of a lifesaver you’ve been to someone listening. Because that’s -- maybe you just hear someone talk about your story and like, oh wow, so I’m not the only one who went through this. you are eager to want to hear their testimony of that story. So I feel like a good podcast would do that. A good podcast or a talk show or whatever it is would really do that. So I think I would be passing out my own information, not through just podcast, through fashion. I’m a fashion designer.

7:41BYeah, yeah, yeah. I was gonna say.

7:42AI started, I started doing my -- I started doing that from a very little age. I remember when my, my neighbor is a tailor, and when she’s done cutting all those fabrics and she throws them in the dustbin, I will go and pack them.

7:53BOh yeah?

7:55AAnd my mom always be like, you dirty my house. Like, like, I’m always bringing in those rags and then I just use needle and I stitch and I make clothes for my doll. And that’s how she’s like, oh, this child can be creative. I made my graduation dress for my secondary school. I made it with needle and thread myself. I used my hands and I just -- and I went and my mom was so proud and she’s like, this is so nice, but you can’t wear it out there. I’m like, but she was so proud and she supported me. And I’m in it now for about 3 years. I’m a unisex designer, and it’s not just basic outfit. I let people express themselves in my outfits, and I’m hoping to not just own a fashion house but let people feel confident in their style. And I know, so I’m also hoping -- I, I’m also a voiceover artist, which also relates to being a podcast because it basically has to do with you talking and all of that. So yeah.

8:54BAnd you’re a singer as well?

8:56AOh yeah, you know the whole singing thing, we all started from church. You go to church, you join the choir, and then you’re like, okay, should I take it as a career? But, um, it’s not a profession, but I just do it for fun because I just -- when I’m angry, I sing. When I, when I just want to ease off some certain pain or distress, I just sing or I listen to songs. Yeah.

9:17BAnd so you write your own music?

9:18AUh, I have, but none has been published yet. You know what, I’ve not published any. That’s okay, it could be for yourself. Yeah, I just keep them for myself and I write. One time I was going to sell my lyrics, but you know how it can get where they breach agreements and it just happened. Just happened.

9:39BYou shouldn’t sell your lyrics. You should record your songs and put them out. Yeah, that’s what I think. I think it’s just like, I think it’s valid to be like scared. I think it’s like, it is vulnerable, you know, sometimes. You know, I used to think like all these rappers, they only make music about stuff that’s surface level. But the truth is they probably make really vulnerable music.

9:56AYeah.

9:56BAnd they’re like, I’m not giving that to them.

9:58ANobody’s gonna accept that from me. But you will never know.

10:02BAnd I feel like maybe it’s not even about acceptance. It’s just like, I don’t want people to see me that way. It’s like, how can I keep up an appearance if I put out this kind of music? And so I think it’s like, are you more committed to the appearance or are you more committed to like the people that resonate with you really getting to know you and like, you know, get something from you expressing yourself? Like what the podcasters are saying, right?

10:18AYeah.

10:19BLike maybe young person really get a lot from hearing a certain conversation. Mm-hmm. But if that artist never puts out that song, you know, the only things they’re putting out are things that are talking about drugs and sex. They’re at the strip club, and it’s like, what are those kids getting from that kind of music, you know? But when you take a moment to let down your guard, to be vulnerable, maybe that young person that now is more vulnerable will be vulnerable themselves, asking for help, asking questions they weren’t willing to ask before.

10:37AYeah.

10:38BSo I think it’s like, I always say, if you’re an artist and you write music, like, you should put your music out.

10:42AYeah. And I, I think when you basically, when it comes to the music industry, or most especially here in Africa, we, we are most sexist about our music, and it’s, it’s quite disheartening.

10:55BTalk about what you mean by that.

10:57AWe are not -- okay, let me use my country.

10:59BYeah, yeah, please.

11:00ANigeria. Ah, must your music be about boom boom? Ask him why. Why, why is it always about somebody shaking? And my mom will be like, why are the men covered and the women are not? They are barely never covered. And then you’re like, oh, my children can’t watch that. But you see some other -- you can be so creative and not promote nudity.

11:28BYeah.

11:28AYou can be so creative and not promote nudity.

11:31BYeah, just like the sexualization, the exploitation of women.

11:34AYeah, you can have like X-rated music and all of that.

11:37BYeah.

11:37ANot bad. Because, you know, I think the stereotype is like, oh, for my music to blow, yeah, for my music to trend, I must have some certain exposure.

11:45BYeah, yeah.

11:46ABut it’s not supposed to be like that. It’s the sound. Yes, the visual can also matter where people are saying stuff, but sometimes everybody -- somebody was saying something about Ice Spice and you’re like, remove your ass, nobody’s going to be watching your video because, girl, your next song should be worth it. Because we’re tired of -- after the ass, what else are we seeing? Give us real content. Give us real content, right? I think this is something that all artists should work at. There should be meaning to your songs. There should be meaning to your art, not just Promoting nudity. Yeah, it should be educating.

12:24BCatering to horny boy energy.

12:25AYeah, yeah. You could just educate people.

12:29BI just chuckle at the crappy censoring.

12:30AI’m telling you, it’s so dope. So dope.

12:34BNah, the video is super dope and I agree with you. And it’s awesome to hear you bring that up because I’m really curious to hear about like your experience in Creative Alchemy. You know, you’re here at the event by way of that community. How did you first get introduced to Creative Alchemy?

12:44AOkay, I was introduced by a friend. She’s like, oh girl, I know she posted one thing one time and she’s like, tech body. I’m like, oh, what is this about? And then she’s like, it’s a community where they could teach me, like, for a beginner, how to own my own forex, how to create my own NFTs. They’re willing to take me through the process. They’re willing to give me other platforms where I can meet with other creatives and do other fun stuff. So this is like my first physical meeting.

13:16BYeah.

13:17AYeah, I, I’ve been in the group. I think I, I got sent to the group like, um, 2 weeks. I’m not, I’m not sure I’ve been 2 weeks, but I just got into the group, so I’ve not really engaged in -- I only joined the Spaces one time.

13:30BYes.

13:31ABut, and then I was looking really lost because they were talking more of this outside, so I really like, okay, maybe over time I’ll get to really know what they do. But from today’s meeting, it’s been really good. I’ve loved it already. I’m like, oh, definitely. So it’s not as difficult as I thought it was. Yeah.

13:49BAnd so what was your favorite part of today? Like, what stood out to you most?

13:53AOh, I think the workshop, the fact that it was so beginner friendly.

14:01BYeah.

14:01AAnd this podcast too. And I got -- I think I have -- should I say this on camera? But I think I can be very shy. I talk a lot, but I just want to be with my own people to talk, right? And then my friend always tell me -- she’s over there -- she’s like, if you want to be that influential, you have to be able to meet with people and then talk to people. I remember when I came this morning, I didn’t meet anybody. I saw Daniel, but I couldn’t talk to him.

14:32BOh, you didn’t speak?

14:33ABut I had an idea that this person was coming for this work, so how to approach them and be like, Hi. But she’s like, just say it anyways, that they’re not gonna bite you. Like, so I’m even surprised that, oh, I’m this able to click and bond with this community easily, because I could go to an entire party and just be like this. I’m like, hurry up, I want to go home.

14:55BYeah.

14:56AType of thing. And just maybe talk to the persons I know. But like, I like a community where everybody can just be themselves and nobody’s judgy. At least by the time I’m leaving here, I’m talking to like 2, 3 persons. And then we’re sharing ideas, we’re checking up on each other because the world is hard now. Everybody is all smiley, but people are depressed and sad. So any little thing to keep them sane, anybody wants to hop on that. Yeah.

15:22BMy community is so important. Like, I think you’re really pointing to like the welcomingness being one of your favorite parts. Like, do you have the -- like, the conversation is beginner-friendly? I think at times we started veering away from beginner-friendly. I’m not gonna lie. But I think for me it was still cool to see who in this community is like knowledge about this conversation as well. I feel like it’s cool to know who the thought leaders when it comes to blockchain are in this community because just to have one is really valuable.

15:50AYeah, very true.

15:51BAnd so to have like 3, 4, 5, like the core team, you could literally just go to this.

15:55AIf this one says I’m busy, you could go to the next, you could go to the next. And then there’s a lot of knowledge because Imagine having this session online. It’ll cost you a lot of dollars. Yeah. And then you just have, all you just have to do is make friends and then go to them and ask questions for free. So this is the, this is the importance of community. And I think I’m going to like it here.

16:18BYou hear that? And I, I’m really, you know, I, I’m really happy here today because I know belonging is so important to them. That’s, that’s something I’ve learned in conversation with them over the last week. And you know, like for me it’s the same. You know, I really have been aspiring to be building a space like crypto. Like what Black person is talking about crypto in America? Like I saw one podcast called Earn Your Leisure. They’re talking about like Bitcoin went up, but they don’t know anything about like the Ethereum ecosystem and how people are building apps. Like they’re not really talking about that stuff. And I was like, that could be me.

16:45AThat could be me.

16:46BYeah, yeah, yeah.

16:47ALike I know, I know.

16:48BAnd I mean, I don’t know actually, but it’s like, but I’ll learn and I’ll ask people who know.

16:51AExactly. I do this thing, right? When you come to me, okay, let’s say you come now, you’re like, I’m looking for -- what should I use as an example? I’m looking for an artist. I am an artist. Even when I’m not, all I just have to do is make a few calls. I’ll get a friend as an artist. And yes, we are all artists. All I just have to do is learn. Give me time, I will learn.

17:17BI can be what you need.

17:17AI can get you what you need. It’s either I can do it or I know someone who can. And that’s the essence of community. You’re giving platforms to other people. to do things that you can do, but other than let it go outside, you’re bringing it home. Yeah, communities home. Yeah. So I think that’s the whole essence.

17:34BAnd I was gonna -- I mean, I absolutely agree. And I was gonna say, you know, for me, such a big thing has been like crypto is so intimidating. Just to learn about, it’s like crypto or finance. If you don’t feel you understand finance, then crypto could just feel like tech finance. And it’s like --

17:49ASo when people just went -- some -- I used to think so too. Like, once I just think, I’m thinking tech, I’m like, ah, Count me out. Yeah, count me out. But then when you have platforms like where they make you realize, oh, it’s not so deep. It’s deep. It’s actually deep, but it’s not as deep as I thought, right? It’s not as hectic as I thought it would be.

18:09BIt’s not so above your head.

18:10AYou can actually learn it.

18:13BYeah. And I think spaces like this, that’s what I was going to say. When I got into crypto, I was in like 5, 6, 7 different communities asking my questions until the community would fade and I’d be like, all right, I guess I’ll go find friends somewhere else. They’re not really my friends long term, but I have to do that all the time. And so I think over time it’s been awesome for me to discover that with consistency you can find spaces like these. I think I go to conferences in the US. I’ve been to more than 10 different crypto conferences and I met probably maybe 60, maybe 70 different Black people in crypto.

18:42AYeah.

18:42BBut it’s like I have to do all that to meet those people. The idea that you all have a community within a 3-hour radius that you can see and be in conversation to learn and grow together. I think, I think you all are so lucky to have that and to have like thought leaders that are local, to have a space to be able to build together.

18:56AYeah.

18:57BYou know, I think you all are so fortunate to have that and that many people don’t get to have that. But that’s really the reason that I’m creating my, my platform is that I can start to find the people who wanna be the leaders in creating spaces like these.

19:07AYeah.

19:07BSo we can have more of them be accessible to people, our diaspora around the world.

19:10AOkay. That’s great.

19:11BBecause it’s important for us to feel resourced. It’s important for us to feel like we can learn. Mm-hmm. And like there’s a place for us to go to learn, even if it is online, you know? It’s just like we need to feel like we have like a friend in the game as we do it.

19:20AYeah, true.

19:21BSomeone else to ask our questions with. So I appreciate you saying that. And I’m curious, how do you feel like the Nigerian culture fits into your creative expression and your vision for this platform that you want to create?

19:32AOkay. Nigerian culture. We are very colorful. We are very creative. You’ll be shocked at how much you can do. All you just have to do is ask questions, right? So like I said, I would like to express myself more in style, in styling people, and then making -- putting out my own designs. And then some -- what -- and when it comes to the talk part of it, like my podcast and all, I also want to like give out platforms to young individuals to be able to express themselves in diverse forms. in, in those places where you best feel you can express yourself, right? You know, if I can talk better on tech, you can talk better on something else, and everybody has where their strength lies. Look for people in their strengths and just let them bloom there. Yeah, let them bloom there. And then have a -- I already have a brand, Rush Adon. You can check it on Instagram.

20:33BOkay.

20:33AI just style people. I style women, I style men. whatever representative. I just have -- you just make them feel beautiful, you make them feel unique in whatever the child, they choose to show themselves in. So that’s what I have, that’s what I plan to do.

20:48BI mean, I’m excited to hear that. It’s been really nice to hear you talk about your vision of, of a podcast and the kind of conversations that you would have. Like, you talk about music and the sexism and like how there’s room for cultural progress, for it to be a space that promotes things that actually serve people. I’m curious, like, with your, with your, with your brand, What’s your vision for your brand? Like, what’s your impetus? You say making sure people can feel beautiful and self-express and not be judged.

21:10AI also want to make sure I teach people. I want to make sure, like, like myself now, I’m trying to build confidence, I’m trying to be bold. I also, I, I’m very sure there are people like me out there who is finding it difficult to be able to relate to people for different reasons. So I want to build a platform where I’ll be able to educate young individuals to be bold, to be able to speak out, to express their creativity, and not just express it, show it out to the world in different platforms. In whatever -- like I said, bloom in where they flourish. Like, whatever platform they flourish in, give them platforms to build, give them that, be there to show them the stage until they’re out there, you get, in whatever platforms they choose.

21:10AYeah, just make sure I’m following them up until they progress. You know, there are some people that are meant to be behind the scenes, right? There are people that are meant to be behind the scenes. They’re just Nobody knows, but just that person knows that, oh, this was who put me out there, or this was who trained me, and all of that. Give these platforms to young people, mostly teenagers, because the world is so loud right now.

22:15BThere’s so much going on.

22:16ASo much going on. And you’ll be shocked, there are a lot of people that just need someone to listen to them. So like, I just want to be that ear that listens and probably that voice that you need to just give you platform and then fly, baby, fly. You have the wings, fly. Like, I didn’t really get that. I have to do that myself. Yeah. So I want to make sure I’m giving it out to as much as I can.

22:39BYeah.

22:40AWhile I can.

22:41BYeah. No, I appreciate that. I definitely feel like -- I also feel like in many ways I wasn’t comfortable, especially as a teenager, figuring myself out, like discovering what I want to do with my life, who do I want to be. And I feel like having a space someone’s going to listen to you is so invaluable. I know when I was talking to Bayo And, uh, and, you know, they were talking about like people are, are really busy, you know, and there’s not a lot of people who are necessarily emotionally available, uh, like here in Nigeria and like in Africa broadly. But even like in the, in the US, I would say like everybody’s working, you know, everybody’s at work, everybody’s working. Like who actually has time to do things that don’t pay you but still demand attention and care?

23:15AYeah.

23:16BAnd I think that’s a shame. And so people that I think are holding those spaces like you’re talking about, like creative options, creative spaces, people feel like they belong and say whatever they want. You know, be themselves. I think they’re so essential.

23:24AYeah, very.

23:25BI think especially for young people because every day matters, you know.

23:28AEvery day matters.

23:29BYour adolescence is gone one day and you’re like, I need to be working, like, and I have kids. And it’s like, now your life is really our life.

23:36AThis is the time to do it because when I can -- because the next thing you get a job, you’re so busy trying to make money, and then you find out you’re not really living the life you really want to live because you’re trying to chase, chase, chase, chase, chase money. It’s never enough.

23:50BYeah.

23:50ASo even if -- so in the midst of chasing that money, it has to be what makes you happy. It has to be you doing what makes you happy. That’s the only way you can feel purpose. You can feel like you’re, you’re really working in purpose, you’re delivering that purpose at that time. Yeah, so I think that’s, that’s just it.

24:07BWell, I think you have so much wisdom to be able to say all these things that you’ve been saying, and I’m like so glad that we made sure to sit down and have this conversation.

24:12AI am. Please, thank you for the platform. Like, it’s been a while I actually spoke to -- I, I like it. Like, if you know me, my love language, I like smart people. When I just see smart people, butterflies in my belly. Like, I just like -- I’m a sinner. Like, when I just see smart people and I’m like, oh wow, speak, I can hear you, you have my attention.

24:37BYeah, yeah.

24:38AThat’s just it. So it just gives me a platform that, oh, there’s somebody I could learn from. I just love it. And I, like I said earlier, I think I’m just going to love it here.

24:46BNo, I definitely think you are. And I would say that’s the reason I love being here in Nigeria so much. I’ve met so many incredibly brilliant Black people, you know, and I feel like it’s, it’s a shame, like, like how undervalued I feel like people can be here to be so smart and to feel like they just don’t have resources or a platform. I think, like, like, I’m so excited to continue to figure out what my role is, what our role is, We Them Media, uh, here in Africa and in Nigeria. But just like Like on the global scale, how do we bring people who have so much knowledge and value, like to the people who are excited to receive that value?

25:14AYeah.

25:14BUm, and I’m so blessed that we got to have this conversation, that I got to have this experience, you know, outta putting myself out there.

25:20AThank you so much for having me.

25:21BDo you have any final words for my audience?

25:22AOh yes, please, please. This is going to be an awesome -- it, it is awesome. So you should watch his videos, listen to his podcast, subscribe, like, leave a comment, engage. Everything you can do, everything you can do, engage, because you’ll be surprised that -- share the links if necessary. Once you find anything relatable, there’s definitely someone who’s going to need something someone is saying at a time. Just spread love.

25:52BWell, thank you everybody for tuning into my podcast today. Thank you for being along with me on this journey as I’m building this platform, as I’m connecting with people who are new to the community and who are new to my community, whose communities I’m new to as well. I think this whole experience here in Africa and Nigeria has been mind-blowing, eye-opening in so many ways. And I feel so blessed to have had this homecoming as the first person in my family to return to Africa, which is like crazy to realize. Um, but also to feel like I’m finding belonging in a space that, you know, from across the world feels foreign, even though it’s a place full of people look like me.

25:52BUm, and so I feel so lucky. I feel so enlightened to be in this space and so excited to return in the future, ingest Really say thank you for you for giving us your attention. I hope that you do return. I hope you make our way to the Discord and you join us sometime soon so we can learn about what you are and how we can support you. And I hope that you do launch your podcast. You meant it as an NFT. And I hope that you all go and collect those NFTs and support Precious’s patience in creating that platform. To think that you’re such a beautiful soul, and I hear that your vision is going to be so impactful if you really do take time to put energy into it.

25:52BSo I hope that you do.

26:55AI will. I will.

26:56BI will hold you to that.

26:57AOh, I -- well, definitely.

26:59BSo thank you so much, and I hope that you have a blessed day. I like to say booyah to close out the interview, so we say 3, 2, 1. Booyah!

27:27ATake up some space. You’re too far away. Make no mistake, I think you should stay.