Today we’d like to introduce you to Farrisha Jackson.
Hi Farrisha, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I created my LLC back in 2020, right in the midst of COVID. Like a lot of people, I found myself spending way too much time on my phone, scrolling TikTok and being entertained but not really productive. I told myself, “You need to pick up a book, do something else.” That’s when I read Rich Dad, Poor Dad. What stuck with me wasn’t even a direct quote, but the idea that if you do something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. That really resonated with me at that moment.
So I said, why not invest in myself? I started my LLC. It was less than $200, and I spend more than that on sneakers, so it felt like a no brainer. At first, I had a different vision for what I wanted to create, and I even went as far as signing an NDA and starting with a vendor. But they ghosted me, and I walked away from the whole idea, already discouraged by how hard I’d been told running a business could be.
Then one day, I asked myself, “What do you really love?” And the answer was simple: hats. I’ve always been a hat lover, a hat enthusiast. You’ll rarely see me without something on my head. So I sketched out a design on my iPad, just for fun, not even thinking of it as a business at first. But when I looked at it, I thought, “I’d buy this. I’d wear this.” That was the spark that made me say, forget the first idea, this is what I’m supposed to be doing.
I went back through the process of working with vendors, but the journey wasn’t smooth. I got ghosted again, even after paying upfront. What should have been a 20-day process turned into six months of silence, stress, and chasing updates. Thankfully, I was able to get my money back through trade assurance, but it left me discouraged. Twice now I’d tried, and twice I felt like I hit a wall.
So honestly, I stepped back. From 2020 until recently, the only thing I really did with the business was pay my LLC fees. But even during that time, I held on to the vision. I never stopped being a hat enthusiast. And when the timing was right, God brought it back around, stronger than before. That’s what’s carried me to where I am today.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like any journey worth taking, there have been plenty of ups and downs. One of the biggest struggles was learning how to keep pushing even when things didn’t go as planned. There were moments when I felt like giving up completely. I even walked away from it at one point. Balancing the creative side with the business side hasn’t always been easy either. Whether it’s figuring out pricing, production costs, or how to actually get my work in front of the right people took a lot of trial and error.
There were also times I wanted to give up because I knew social media would be my downfall. I’m naturally a private person and never cared to post, so putting myself out there was a real struggle. For a long time, I didn’t even want people to know I was the face behind the brand. Because of that, getting my name and products out there felt impossible. My very first sale came from my partner and my sister, but after that. It was crickets. I remember telling God, “Yeah, I’m done with this.” But when I say the man upstairs doesn’t play, I mean it. He heard my cry and answered almost immediately. The very next day, Ariana posted an unboxing of my FAMU hat on her page, and suddenly my IG and Shopify were going crazy. That moment showed me that even when I feel like giving up, God always has a plan.
On top of that, I’ve dealt with the pressure of products not arriving on time, which has been a major headache. But I’ve learned to stay prayed up and push through every challenge. In hindsight, all of these struggles have built resilience, forced me to adapt, and taught me that setbacks are just setups for something greater.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in designing and producing custom hats, embroidered patches, and streetwear inspired merchandise that celebrate culture, community, and individuality. My work draws from sports, music, and urban life, blending nostalgia and modern style to create pieces that resonate deeply with people’s identities and passions.
What I’m most proud of is how my designs have connected with communities. Whether it’s universities to fans of music and sports giving I have given them something tangible to wear that represents pride, heritage, and personal expression. Every collection tells a story, and I love seeing how people make it their own.
What sets me apart is my attention to detail and ability to translate cultural references into high quality, wearable art. I don’t just design patches and hats, I build experiences. Whether it’s interchangeable patches, limited edition drops, or designs inspired by iconic moments, I aim to give customers something unique that they can’t find anywhere else. My products are conversation pieces.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
First and foremost, all credit goes to God for giving me the vision and continuously placing the right people in my life to guide and inspire me.
DeZire deserves so much love for motivating me to pick things back up when I had completely walked away from it the first time. My sisters, Kaci and Quanie, have been my day ones always answering my FaceTime calls just so I can show them my newest designs and get their feedback. Ariana (@awilderstylee) who was the very first person I collaborated with on my FAMU piece, and that partnership really helped get my name circulating in the community.
I’m grateful to Lisa (@seasoned_dialogue) for rocking my Heal hat and using their platform to spread positive messages that align with my brand’s vision. Destinee (@des.k) really came through by doing my very first product shoot and showcasing my vision on her platform, which help me see just how dope my products are from the consumer standpoint. My little brother Marlo who has been right there too, not only listening to me brainstorm but even willing to spot me a few dollars if I needed help to bring an idea to life. Jeannine (@jayb8789) for pushing me to step out of my comfort zone, while Bree (@locdbree) has been my personal model and honest style checker, always making sure I don’t post something outdated on IG. Bella (@bellas_faces) deserves credit too for always hyping me up whenever I start second guessing myself. That energy has kept me going more times than I can count. And Laina, even though I “fired her on her day off,” has always been willing to listen and help if I needed it.
I can’t forget Taelor, who nominated me for Voyage in the first place, giving me an opportunity to share my story with a larger audience. Lastly, my honorable mentions go to my IG and Facebook family, who take the time to like, comment, and share my posts. That support has played a bigger role than they probably realize.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wealthyicon.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wealthy.icon
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19QXyeY8Zn/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@wealthy.icon21?si=sIlgiSgT1KNu8v8g
- Other: https://linktr.ee/wealthyicon
