Meet: Aris Rhodes!

Introduce yourself and profession to our readers:
Hello, my name is Aris Rhodes. I am currently a young professional and CEO of Inspire IT L.L.C. The parent company presenting PICK ME UP, a multi-faceted inspirational brand.
 
What inspired you to pursue this area of interest?
While going through some dark times and challenges, I took to my natural comfort zone of writing. I started writing affirmations and uplifting content in my notebooks. PICK ME UP was birthed as something solely for me and my personal growth. Then I thought, If this is something that I am doing for me, who else may need this too? Who else can I do this for?  How can I share inspiration with other people? 
 
It is not just for me anymore, it is intended for anyone and everyone who may need a PICK ME UP. I wanted to offer more than just an inspirational word or quote, I wanted to offer a product alongside that, something in the physical. After receiving a cool business card tacked onto the back of a mirror, it sparked something in me. I looked and researched and studied everything to the best of my ability. From the market to the design down to the manufacturing. I got busy. I decided to offer these handmade beauty mirrors containing my free-styled inspirational themes or messages on the backside. The idea was that someone will have this product, and on one side is the mirror where they see themselves and the other side is the inspiration that they may need. Inspiration is the heart of PICK ME UP, but I also offer the products (mirrors, buttons, magnets) custom tailored to clients for different purposes. The business being focused on inspiration helps because while working at it I am engulfed in it, I am surrounded by it, and so it literally does what I initially started it for, to PICK ME UP.  
 
What advice would you share with those interested in a similar pursuit?
Work from the inside-out! My biggest qualm is to offer something that I do not truly represent. So my advice is to primarily, work on the inside of you (your mind, heart, soul etc.) and strive for the best version of yourself. What you pour into you is what you will also pour out. Knowing that, I always consider myself a work in progress because I know that I am constantly building the best version of me. There are and will always be moments when I fall short, but that is where inspiration comes in. So make sure that you stay inspired as well, in whatever ways you can.
 
Discuss a professional challenge and how you overcame it:
To be completely honest, my most recent professional challenge that I still have not figured out completely, is connecting myself with my business. What I mean by that is, though this started for my own peace of mind, once I actually did start the business, I didn't want it to be about me. Not only am I an introvert by nature, but I never want to be pre-judged or even drown out the purpose and deflect from what this is all about. So that challenge is always in the back of my mind.
 
For instance, currently on my business page, I have not revealed exactly who I am. I have not posted one picture of myself. In my mind, my business page is solely for business and my personal page is for me. I always wanted my business to be a separate entity all together. So, outside of some nervousness or reservations about it, I've been very reserved about tying myself or other personal factors into my brand. I also felt that if there ever was a time to tie myself in, that I needed to have everything pristine and perfect before doing so. Idk, it could just be an excuse. lol I know that people do it successfully, but I just found it difficult for me.
 
Until today, I overcame that challenge by taking part in this interview. It was something that would require me to share from a more personal perspective. And also link together myself and my business. So simply put, in order to complete this, I had to give more of ME.
 
 
What is next for your brand/business in 2016?
Currently, I am working on new orders. In November, I will be providing custom mirrors as favors for a wedding design expo. It's pretty cool because I like to experience different avenues and potentially expand my clientele. In the long haul, what's next for PICK ME UP is whatever is in God's will. That is how I've operated, by just letting it flow, I keep learning and growing in this. I started small but I do have bigger dreams and bigger visions. My interests are ambidextrous and they range from inspiration to interior design. In the present, I just really hone in on the short term tasks and try to remain open to the future's promises. I will go as far as it takes me.
 
How can readers connect with you online and through social media?
currently alternate website is instagram.com/pickmeupsforyoutoo
My Instagram pages:
business page: @pickmeupsforyoutoo
personal page: @embracesbeauty
Facebook business page: Coming soon!