In this episode, I interview Natalya Nightshade, the boss lady of Nightshade Designs. We talk about how and why she created Nightshade designs, sustaining her business after going viral, working with brand ambassadors, and creating conversations around important topics.
This glitter heel goddess joined the Aerial Community in 2016 when she landed at Buttercup Pole Dance. One day, she decided to take a beaten up pair of pole heels and refresh them with glitter. After seeing how many people were interested in them, Natalya decided to open her own business. Since opening, she has been featured in Forbes and Style Insider.
The Main Points
Building a Brand
- Natalya initially thought about working with a designer but decided against it because she had a hard time communicating what she was seeing in her mind
- She mentions not being technologically savvy but ended up creating her logo in “Old School PowerPoint”
- Advice for branding – Create something that feels true to you. That is cohesive and can look good on everything. Even if someone doesn’t like it, do it anyway
Going Viral
- Almost a year after starting her business, Forbes contacted Natalya. At first, she ignored it thinking it was a scam. Natalya replied and the article was released
- While this increased her viewership, Forbes didn’t exactly have her target market reading their articles
- Then Style Insider contacted her and produced a story featuring her. This is when Nightshade Designs blew up
- Through hard work, Natalya has been able to sustain this momentum
Working with Brand Ambassadors
- When Natalya decided to reach out to potential brand ambassadors, she shot for the stars! And reached them!!
- Her first round of Brand Ambassadors were Anna Kia, Sarah Jade, Carmine, and Rachele Ribera. Since then she has added Brian Wolf and Bentley Rebel
- While these people have helped her increase viewership, she mentions having them support her business and be excited for her is the best part
Getting Uncomfortable
- Natalya shares openly about her own mental health. She says she has a big mouth and likes to talk ?
- When she started her business, she thought she would have to be more professional and not have as many opinions. Then she decided she could talk about whatever she wanted
- She continues to start conversations around topics that are sometimes uncomfortable
Natalya’s Freestyle Tips
- Just do it! The more you do it, the better you’ll get
- Learn from as many instructors as you can
- Dance to music that resonates with you
- Give yourself permission to look weird
- You have to be shitty before you can be the shit
Natalya’s favorite performance of herself
Happy Kiss Showdown
My favorite performances:
Group – Bad to the Chrome 2018
Solo – 2018 PSO Amateur of the Year finalist
Natalya’s favorite performance of someone else – Carmine’s Guest Performance at Dance Filthy UK
Natalya was a wonderfully open person that I can’t thank enough for being a guest on my show. We had such a great time dancing, chatting, and laughing.
I hope you enjoyed this episode!
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Want to hear more? Check out Episode #2 & Episode #3!
I hope you enjoyed this episode! Thanks for listening!