Serenade squad, whats good?!
We know we know, its been a minute but you know we get right back in it! This time we’re bringing you another installment of Corner Sto’ Convos where we highlight local creatives, innovators, and change makers coming up and making moves with real conversations “inspired by the culture, produced by the streets, and made for the people.”
Being a woman owned brand, yall know we couldn’t end Women’s History Month without highlighting some queens who are doing the damn thing in their respective fields.
The crown is heavy but these women carry it well by taking risks, leaning into faith, believing in themselves and knowing they have a whole community behind them.
This week for our “Raise Ya Crowns: HERstory” series, we sat down with London Campbell of The Grey Theory Podcast. Read up on how this Harlem, NY native took a risk outside her comfort zone and moved down to The A to go all in for her dreams.
SSA: What’s up sis! Let the people know who you are and what you do.
LONDON: Hey Guys, My name is London. I’m a 30 year old entrepreneur and Podcast Host of The Grey Theory Podcast. I'm from Harlem, New York and I moved to Atlanta in my early 20’s.
SSA: Come on entrepreneur! Let’s get right to it. Can you tell us about how you got started with TGT Podcast?
What inspired you to discuss the “grey areas” of the entrepreneurial journey?
LONDON: Well while starting my business, I struggled a lot with balance. Balancing my time, my dating life, my finances , and my faith. I just dove in head first with no questions asked pretty much.I know some may say, “well why start if you don't have everything figured out” but my answer to that is “then you will never start”. So I proceeded with odds against me and my lack of balance but I had a lot of ambition. I knew that I could not be the only one facing hardship while trying to create a business.
So I fell in love with the process and wanted to hear someone else’s story on how they got to where they are today. So I started asking a lot of questions, I started reaching out to different entrepreneurs just so I could hear their story on how and why they got started [whether that be] purpose driven or money driven. So I created a platform to give flowers to the ones that jumped! The entrepreneurs that took what once was a thought and turned it into a business.
SSA: Much respect to wanting to give flowers to people so early on their journey. It’s definitely needed.
A lot of people don't realize how much faith it takes to dive head first into entrepreneurship or even just starting a business. Sometimes it even takes tapping into a level of faith you may have not had before.
What steps did you take to overcome any thoughts of self-doubt or fear as you stepped into your business?
LONDON: I prayed, I seeked guidance and of course I had days where I balled up into a corner, but I knew that I could not stay there. So I created discipline, so even on the days that I did not want to get up, even on those days people did not show up, even on the days that people told me no, I stayed disciplined and consistent. Success comes from 100 no’s and 1,000 risks. If you are not ready to change your mindset you will always live in a reality of being comfortable, Growth only happens when you are uncomfortable.
SSA: That’s a whole word! Growth cannot come from comfort or stagnation. To me, self discipline is the greatest form of self love. We all owe it to ourselves and the things we want to do. On top of taking that leap of faith for your business, you also took one with moving to a new state.
What led you to make that decision? Has it had its challenges and was it worth it?
LONDON: Whew, I literally regretted my decision after my boyfriend at the time lied to me about a series of things and also I had lost my job shortly after. I felt as if my purpose had diminished because that version of myself felt that she was only valuable if she was able to fix your problems, fix a person or take their stress and put it on me. Because I thought my purpose was to be a fixer and after feeling like I lost it all I had to reinvent myself and figure out what my purpose was and what did London want.
If you ask me today I would say this move helped me figure out who London really was. I believe everything happens for a reason and If I had not moved I don't think I would be where I am today. God had to allow certain things to take place so that I can be the woman I am today.
SSA: GIRL I think we can all think of a time where we misplaced our purpose. Sometimes it’s okay to be selfish every so often and reevaluate the things YOU want before you do so for others.
As for those other times, providing a platform for others to receive recognition is a selfless act of its own. And as one myself, being a small business on a podcast as a guest can impact your life in a huge way by sharing your story, challenges, and triumphs.
As the host, how has your podcast impacted YOUR life by listening to the stories of your guests?
LONDON: I truly have enjoyed every story that I have heard because they are all different. Listening to each and every story has taught me grace, self-care, appreciation, and just not giving up on yourself no matter what. If you fall literally you have got to pick yourself up and try again, keep walking no one is coming to save you.
SSA: All facts and word to Aaliyah, you gotta dust yourself off and try again no matter how many times because if it's one thing being a business owner is gonna show you that lol.
Okay we know It’s women’s month so we definitely have to touch on what has been a hot topic in the podcast world, misogyny in podcasts.
What do you feel as listeners and creators, can we do to challenge misogynistic narratives in today’s podcasts?
LONDON: How about we challenge people to listen! Everyone is talking but nobody's LISTENING. Set boundaries and GO TO THERAPY!!!! I believe a lot of people during this time do not see the value in a union and that is the biggest challenge, if people do not see the value in a union then people will continue to go down paths to disrupt the cycle and corrupt kids in process.
SSA: “Everyone is talking but no one is listening” maannnn say it again! It’s a lot of listening to respond and not to understand going on too.
Despite where we are now though, looking ahead, what are your hopes for the future of podcasts particularly in terms of inclusivity and representation?
What do you hope to bring to TGT podcast in order to live out those terms and empower others to use their voices to do the same?
LONDON: I see a lifestyle shift, my brand will become the brand you align yourself with to hone in on your purpose and service those who need it in whatever field you are in. I have some plans to create a non-profit but that, you guys will have to check-in with me later on lol but good things are coming.
SSA: We love a purpose driven brand, and best believe we’ll be on you about that non-profit too sis lol.
Serving others, the youth, and our communities is one of the driving factors behind our “why” here at Street Serenade. We all have our reasons on why we start our businesses or projects and oftentimes through that journey we have to remind ourselves why we started.
When it's time to grind it out and get to work What are your “why”s and how do they keep you motivated?
LONDON: My why is “YOU”. We entrepreneurs do not have a “why” without people, we need people in order for what we call entrepreneurship to work. So why not serve them through our purpose? Being intentional is what keeps me motivated. If I could serve just one person today through doing something that I am passionate about I would be happy.
SSA: Women continue to break barriers and make their own seat at the table when it wasn't given to us directly. We have become leaders, innovators, and bosses in our own right all while busting down the same doors they closed in our face and leaving it open for the next woman to come through.
What does Women’s History mean to you?
LONDON: It means I am ready to enter my soft girl era lol. But not all jokes aside we were born with the ability to multitask and to nurture and to see the full picture of things. We were born with an intuition, and that is a God given gift. There is so much strength in a woman, and to me to be the biggest superpower is being feminine. There is nothing stronger than a woman that knows the power she carries.
SSA: Not even gonna hold you, the soft girl and the gangsta in me butt heads but we’re makin’ progress lol. Jokes aside, we couldn’t agree more, true strength resides when you recognize the power within you. “It's not on you, it's in you” and it always has been, as our girl Lauren London has quoted (R.I.P. Nip).
We are standing on the shoulders of women who made much happen while having much less. Here we are, living out the history they made.
When people look back at YOUR history, what is the impact you wish to leave behind?
LONDON: I wish to leave behind the impact of walking in love, getting to know who you are, and what you were created to do on this earth and master it to your fullest potential.
SSA: And we see it happening sis, the path is set and you're definitely on the right track!
If you could, what would you want the younger London and girls like her to know about following their dreams and holding their crowns up high?
LONDON: This too shall pass! You thought it was impossible but look at you, you have fallen but you got back up and you stayed consistent. The love you want will come when you love yourself first and keep pouring into yourself even if it overflows, because that love that overflows will run over into someone else’s cup and then and only then is when you will attract the people that were meant to be in your life (friends) (lover) ect.
SSA: Thank you so much for sharing your story girl. we wish you an abundance of success with TGT and your future endeavors! It's all love on this side.
It wouldn't be Street Serenade if we didn't throw some music in the mix lol.
We asked London what her top 5 songs from women in hip-hop and r&b are that motivates and makes her feel like “that girl”. Check them out below and go head and throw them in your rotation.
- Jazmin Sullivan - “Stand Up”
- India Arie “Video”
- Victoria Monet “On my mama”
- H.E.R. “As I Am”
- Eve “Who’s That Girl”
If you were inspired by London's story or just enjoyed the read hit our line and leave us a comment below! Let us know what inspired you.
3 comments
To my friend! Congratulations to my friend! This interview was amazing. The interviewer asked all the right questions, stayed on task and allowed the conversation to flow.
London allowed her authenticity to show in this interview and made herself extremely relatable to every woman out there. Happy Women’s History Month Ladies!
Wow, what a great interview. I’m definitely going to check out the podcast because I too, love hearing how entrepreneurs started their brand and the process behind it. While everyone’s story is different, there is always a great amount of gems behind it that can inspire and educate the next. I’m really happy she provided a platform to give them their flowers!
A key part that resonated with me is This too shall pass, and knowing that at one point we think things are impossible but through resilience and consistency we prevail 💗
I loved every piece of this interview! There were so many takeaways but the one that stuck with me the most is the importance of loving ourselves and how that overflow of love will attract your tribe. Overall, I’m glad she was able to share her story and inspire others with the wisdom she has gained along her journey.
Keep doing great things and making a difference!