Inspiring Conversations with Dasia Johnson of Oblivion

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dasia Johnson. 

Hi Dasia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
As a child, my father (who’s also an entrepreneur) always told me “If you only do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” This mantra ignited a fire in me because I was always so curious AND passionate. So, it allowed me to focus on pure enjoyment and also be creative enough to add the business aspect to it. 

Furthermore, my passion for mental health awareness began with my mother. Throughout her life, she has survived unimaginable trauma from our own family that led to her troubles with PTSD, nervous breakdowns, and even being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I saw how the conditions of her environment severely affected her mental health, whether good or bad, which inspired me to be her number one advocate and supporter at a VERY early age. 

Being intensely devoted to both allowed and still affords me the ability to incorporate at least one mental health aspect in every single one of my businesses. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
My road has not been (and probably won’t ever be) completely smooth. I am in the business of breaking generational curses, in a very unique way, and as you can imagine… that comes with its share of resistance. I mean…I’ve had people who are simply just not used to my ideas turn their noses up at me because they just didn’t understand. I’ve also had other businesses try to copy my concepts and aesthetics, which can feel discouraging as a small black business owner trying to breach the surface in competitive industries. 

However, the MOST challenging obstacle to date has been my own mind. I doubt myself often, can be a bit of a perfectionist, and deal with Attention Deficit Disorder which makes it much harder to focus. I’ve found that most of the time, I can get in my own way, but I’ve been learning a lot through therapy which teaches me to be patient with myself! Having a very supportive team has also helped me immensely. They reassure me when I’m feeling doubtful or overwhelmed, support me, and inspire me through their own entrepreneurial journeys. It’s really special. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
OBLIVION LLC is a community and mental health hub that provides a safe place for people to heal from wounds placed there by those closest to them. I created Oblivion with the intention to serve my community FROM WITHIN my community. It just feels like a lot of times, we need community leaders who truly understand where we come from and what type of support is needed. So, I specialize in amplifying the voices of the community, truly listening, and holding myself accountable in whatever role(s) I’m able to serve in order to help. 

My community hub hosts Meditation + Painting events, where we have discussions about mindfulness, engage in meditation, & we paint while in a meditative state! I also incorporate the use of medical marijuana to shed light on the benefits & offer a unique atmosphere! There’s absolutely nothing like it, and I’ve been receiving amazing feedback! 

OBLIVION is a multi-purpose business, which also includes my personal podcast titled “F**k Generational Curses” (available on all digital media platforms) The purpose of this podcast is to highlight everyday community heroes that are breaking their own generational curses! Some topics cover things such as “culty” traditions which oppress rather than inspire, foods that are falsely advertised as “healthy”, and religious manipulation. Here, I’m able to explore the minds of incredible people right here in our everyday lives! 

Lastly, as a vegan chef, I’ve been able to encourage people to embrace the delicious and nutritious benefits of eating plant-based! I do this by “veganizing” meals that we all love while also placing a modern spin on the classics! Mostly known for my “Vegan Soul Food Eggrolls,” which have mac + cheese with yams inside… I take much joy in making people smile and truly satisfying their cravings without the harmful hormones and chemicals living inside of animal-derived ingredients. 

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Certainly! My business was actually launched during the pandemic in September of 2020. It was during this challenging year for us all that I realized we needed a supportive community and to be able to be at peace with ourselves mentally. I quickly learned that life is truly unpredictable and that we have absolutely no way of being 100% prepared for life. Instead, we can control our personal realities and experiences by being present and having a support system free of judgment but full of unconditional love! 

I also learned how risky the entrepreneurial journey truly is because you don’t have the certainty of a paycheck. My willingness to go forward even though the whole world was “shut down” really amplified my passion and proved that my father was right about doing what I love! 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.youroblivion.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fireassvegann/
• Other: https://linktr.ee/Dasiamarie11

Image Credits
Johnathan Anderson