Meet Karysma Hicks of The Gambino Brand

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karysma Hicks

Hi Karysma, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been a creative from the age of elementary school. I’ve also been a self-identified hustler since elementary school. From a young age, I have been passionate about using my creative drive and ability to connect with people and their temporary desires in order to make money. I can think back to a time that while most kids sold lemonade for cents, I sold my used toys for dollar bills. While other little girls were going door to door to sell Girl Scouts cookies, I went door to door to sell ice.

I have always been able to tap into not only what is a desire for most people, but what is also a need–despite my inability at the time to recognize the difference between short-term needs and long-term needs. What set me apart as a 9 year old was that I knew how to attach the importance of scarcity to whatever I was selling–whether that was determined by a lack of childhood nostalgia or the lack of access to a working freezer when the power is out.

Today, at 29 years old, I carry the same intention with a heightened knowledge of how to apply the concept of future-forward storytelling to methods and materials that will take someone from an experience of lack to a life of abundance.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing is ever a smooth road. Eventually, a once smooth road will get driven enough on, that it will need construction to fix the cracks, potholes, and fading dashed lines that help direct traffic. That is exactly how I view my life–whether it is personal or professional. I am both the vehicle and driver that has ran a course so many times over that its caused destruction. I am also the construction worker and painter that makes a road shiny and functional again.

Many of my tribulations have revolved around the need to pivot. I’ve had to pivot the entire concept of my business and how I serve people. I’ve had to pivot based on the needs of the market. I’ve had to pivot strategies on multiple occasions, based on the needs or preferences of a client. Most recently, I’ve had to pivot the way I show up to the world as a means to be seen by the right people.

I expect many pivots to still happen in my future as both a business owner and a twenty-something year old woman. I confidently know that whatever frustrations or struggles come into fruition, I am going to see it through, overcome it, and turn it into motivation.

As you know, we’re big fans of The Gambino Brand . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am the Founder and lead strategist at The Gambino Brand. My role is a consultant to business owners, service providers, creatives and Influencers. I work with both personal and product-based brands to achieve a mastery of storytelling whilst using elevated systems to captivate and scale an audience.

I personally specialize in creating strategy that results in exponential reach in visibility and sales, curating a brand image through wardrobe and speech, as well as capturing the true essence of a person, product or service through photography and content creation. What sets me apart from other creative agencies and brand houses is that my empire is a one-stop-shop for all creative and management needs. With the Gambino brand, you don’t have to source out a handful of creatives, providers, or services. We act not only as the middle man for our clients, but also as the experience makers that will make your dream come true.

Today, I work as a soloprenuer with brand partnerships. In 5 to 10 years, my goal is to have an agency of professionals whom are experienced in business management, media management, public relations, every aspect of marketing, filming and photography, wardrobe styling, and even interior design. Anything that counts on the juxtaposition of creative expression and tactical methods, The Gambino Brand can achieve.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
A favorite childhood memory that I have is spending time in the kitchen with my mom. She made cooking fun. We’d sing, we would dance and just vibe out to a rolodex of music genres. She and our moments in the kitchen, are the reason for my ability to have a strong cognitive storage.

Whether it was preparation for a test or a recipe that I needed to remember for a cook off, she would make me turn steps into songs. They’d either involve a catchy tune or limerick that would replay in my head when it came time to be in focus mode.
The kitchen was my safe space back then. It was a bonding moment between my mom and I that made me feel connected.
Today, the kitchen is still my safe space. It’s my time to connect to creativity in a different way–one that I don’t get paid for.
It also acts as a means for me to feel connected to myself, as I treat this time like a therapy session. I connect with song lyrics, I talk to God, and will release any mental tension I’m feeling through dance.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thegambinobrand.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karysmathegambino
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/thegambinobrand

Image Credits
Photography: Karysma Hicks of The Gambino Brand