Meet Benny E. Williams | Artist & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Benny E. Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Benny, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I wanted to dictate how my career went. Not only career but Life. Since I was 16 I said i was going to own a record label, and that was a goal, a dream even, that I had for 6 years. I never made a move towards it. I went to college, studied International Relations and had a great time. Goal never changed though, I just imagined the Record Label would just pop up into existence at some point in my thirties. So at the time I was in a rhetoric class, and we had to create a rhetorical campaign for a movement. I chose Black Lives Matter, and I created this Hoodie along with other pieces of rhetoric. The hoodie had the word B.I.A.S. (printed three times in a row) in an acronym. When I presented this hoodie, I had the class shook. I had everyone’s attention, because I just showed them power of rhetoric, and how it’s hidden in plain sight. The professor told me she was impressed, I got a C in her class, but in other words she was impressed. Someone after class said ” Hey Man, if you make that hoodie let me know so I can get one”. From there, I knew that I had a product that people wanted. The thought process from there was that I had something people wanted, but I needed to make this more than just a hoodie and into a message people could live by.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m excited about the direction I’m headed in. I spent a lot of time being knocked down just to learn one lesson. It’s patience. You have to really learn about the industry or field you want to be in. You have to reflect. I found myself in personal reflection 3 times a day. I had to ask myself what do I really want out of this. My answer: to provide light to those lost in the dark, I want to move people, I want to move 1 person a day that’s all. If I can accomplish that tomorrow, I’ll be happy. Professionally, I work Full-Time being an artist and small business owner is not easy. Most can attest. Professionally, I’m converting my business into an artist development resource unit. Helping Artist understand branding, and many of the other things that come with being an independent artist. (Coming soon Winter 2021). Things have not been easy, I had a really good start, and then the pandemic hit and forced me to re-strategize on everything; personal life, business, and being an independent artist. I still face many challenges, one thing that helps for sure is budgeting, Stay Prepared, not lucky. The BuddhaMane story: I’m like half a margarita. if Im half empty or if im half full. Either way you still enjoyed it, and that’s how I describe every avenue I take. Badd Habits- BuddhaMane coming this Summer 2021

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In Miami, first things first we gotta hit Snappers. I’m originally from Orlando, but we don’t have restaurants like this there. For the rest of Friday Night we’re going to Wynwood, Dirty Rabbit and Brick. Saturday Morning; We are going to the Big Pink, before our long day at South Beach. That Night we’re going to sleep because we might not make the club. We probably got cheap Miami Heat tickets too, so we go check out bayfront and AAA arena. Sunday: Brunch Copper Blues, Boat Day, and back home.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
God First. My Mother and Step-Father. My Mentor Ms. Anna, My Girlfriend for her amazing ideas, My Brother for the financial support, My Dawgs Chef Lilo, Lynden James, Jeremiah Williams, Big Julian, Brandon Jackson, Queen Nairoby, DJ Mari, Johnny Jean, Robert James, RooThePoet, Sacchi the Don, and the Tau Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. #TDWeGood

Website: buddhaclan.com

Instagram: instagram.com/itsbuddhamane

Twitter: twitter.com/itsbuddhamane

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC71y4SJmAaGvT8yQhQS1XfQ