I just want to say thank you to Aaron Reflex for this interview opportunity!
1. What city are you from/ Where are you based now?
I am from Philly. Born and raised in Uptown, it’s actually the northwest region of Philadelphia.
2. What is your artist name? What is your real name? How did you get your artist name?
My name is Skye. My Brand Name Is Xarbie Cartel
3. At what point in your life did you decide to pursue your career?
I decided to start my entrepreneur journey in 2018 with my boutique as my 1st investment.
4. Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your brand today? If so, how?
Yes, my upbringing definitely contributed to my drive to build my own brand. I’m from Uptown area, sometimes considered the Bougie Part. Most of the people I grew around either made money from their car or crib so making my own money was always the goal!
5. How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
I would describe my brand as sexy xxl plastic luxury market “Hints Xarbie Cartel”. When I started my boutique Xarbie Shop in 2018 I had no idea there I would want to brand and beach out to other entities under that umbrella. Now I have three additional businesses, Xarbie Auto, Xarbie Lashes, Xarbie Hair & my first baby Xarbie Shop which brings my brand four different ways to bring in revenue.
6. What ultimately inspired you to dedicate yourself to your career?
What inspired me to do Xarbie Cartel as a brand Was wanting to have more than one means of income. I always figured if I want to be rich I can’t put all my eggs in one basket. I feel like especially as a black woman having more than one avenue to make money will bring generational wealth. Instead of working a 9-to-5 in some office building for someone else’s dream. I thought why not invest in my own.
7. What’s one reason you are passionate about music and what inspires you?
What inspires me most about being an entrepreneur / ceo Is no one control when I clock in or out. I love being able to sleep in and stay up whenever and however. Not to knock anyone else who has a typical eight hour shift I just know that’s not what I wanted to do till 60-70 years old. I just can’t see me giving someone else 10 to 20 years of my life for them to live out their goals. Nahh, I’m not slaving if I can help it.
8. Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
I Love football I am a diehard Eagles fan I bleed green win or loose it’s eagles nation till I die.
9. Who are some of your main musical influences?
My main influencers honestly are Jess Hilarious, B Simone Jayda Cheaves and ppl of that nature. What they did with their social media’s to brand is what I aspire to do with my social media platforms.
10. What are some of your career goals for the future?
My goal is to have a XarbieCartel Amazon store as well as a physical locations in my hometown Philadelphia as well as my fav vacations cities Atlanta in Miami.
11. Tell us about the project that you are promoting. What is it about? Also, what is the name of the last project you released?
My Xarbie Cartel Brand is about women empowerment. Being a Girl Boss! And ultimately just dominating any Avenue She/We Takes!
12. What has the response been like to that project?
The response to my brand has been overwhelming. I set up separate Instagram accounts for my four businesses and all of them have gotten active engagement following I’ve actually made money off of all of my businesses. Even more so since the March 2020 shut down. I honestly cannot say thank you to my social media enough.
13. What are some projects you’ve done in the past that you are most proud of and why?
I love of all of the branches under my brand tree but the most exciting is my auto page. I did not think I would get the responses that I’ve gotten because my brand typically focus on female stuff like clothes/lashes. Well surprisingly my cars sold faster even though it is my most expensive investment with the more expensive merchandise.
14. What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for? Include some dates if you have them.
What’s next for me is starting my Xarbie Tax Preparation page. I already successfully submitted 10/20 returns this tax season! This would be my 5th installment to the Xarbie Cartel brand.
15. Where can we follow you on social media?
16) You can find my personal Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/ix.skye or searching Xarbie Cartel. In my bio is the link to my website as well as the links to my businesses pages.
Thank You For Your Support Of My Black Owned Business.
http://www.xarbiecartel.com/