We had the good fortune of connecting with Lola Benjamin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lola, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Since I first entered into corporate America in 2011, I knew it wasn’t for me. I knew one day, I would work for myself, but I just didn’t know what I would do. Fast forward to 2020 where we were smack dab in the middle of the pandemic. At the time, I was working at a company where I got my first bit of experience in the e-commerce and subscription box world. I was learning a lot but HATED the job, but I knew there was a deeper reason why I was still there.

The idea for my business Evie & Bennie, came to me spiritually. I receive a lot of messages from God through dreams or when I’m sitting in silence. One day, God woke me up in the middle of the night and even though I was annoyed because I was exhausted and wanted to sleep lol, I could tell it was for a reason. After laying there for a little, the idea for my business started flooding in and I became so excited, I couldn’t even go back to sleep. I have been a creative since the day I was born and all of my ideas just come to me; it can’t be forced. And when it comes in, it comes in so fast.

Evie & Bennie is named after my grandmother and dad who passed away, Evie (Evelyn) & Bennie (Benjamin). I wanted to name it after them as a tribute to them and to still feel connected to them, but it was also kind of like a rebirth of them as well. Evie & Bennie is an e-commerce site that sells practical but affordable baby clothes. I thought to myself, what have I learned during this pandemic. If we had another one, what could I offer that is actually needed. Babies, people are never going to stop having babies and needing the basic necessities for them. My experience at my previous position is where I learned all I needed to run this business and it all started to make sense why I was still there. It was the perfect experience for a bigger purpose for me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
So I didn’t realize I had a gift musically until my late 20’s. Some of my gifts I thought were “normal” and everyone had these. For example, it takes me 1 time to hear a melody whether I’m intentionally listening to it or not and I remember it. Sometimes, I can even repeat it back. At first, I felt like I was late to the game, I have to catch up, I’m almost 30 and just starting out, but I’m over that at this point because it’s never to late and I have so much more wisdom to do this now then I would have had if I started a lot earlier.

I think what sets me apart from others is that I am very quick to pick up what I’m learning musically if I am doing something for the first time. And everything I create is based off of how I feel. This is the first time in life I am able to do that. Operating on how I feel doesn’t quite fit well with societal norms lol. Like I mentioned before, nothing can be forced with me creatively and the same goes for music. When I am in my most relaxed state, I create magic quickly.

I am most proud of a few things. I went through a rebirthing process (after the death of my dad and grandma) and I am getting back to my true self. It feels amazing to be able to create that way; to feel free. Creatives loveeee freedom or at least I do. I am very proud to have DJ’d London McKoy’s solo show in September 2021 at Ludow House in NYC. That was my first time DJ’ing alone ( I was terrified lol) and I also produced an intro song for her to come out to. That was the first time people were hearing my solo work. Also, I am excited about the future! Aside from DJ’ing, I am also learning to play the bass, practicing songwriting and music production. I am so excited to see how much more I can do musically.

I got to where I am today because of God, surrending to the process & journey and putting in time to perfect my craft (which I am still doing). HELL NO it wasn’t easy lol and I had to work through a lot of self doubt (imposter syndrome) and confidence. Therapy helped me out a lot and my support system. Struggling with mental health can kill dreams and I am determined to not let that happen for me. I’m letting God lead this 100%. I do not chase, I let things/opportunities find me.

What I have learned along the way is to not worry about being new at something and don’t fear at not being great, JUST DO IT! There are a lot of other people who aren’t as talented but are successful simply because they believe in themselves. In the words of Pharrell Williams “If you can believe it, you can achieve” (So Ambitious, Jay-Z & Pharrell Williams, The Blueprint 3). I can do ANYTHING I put my mind to. God doesn’t bring me these ideas for no reason.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Luckily my bestie lives not too far from me and we literally like the same things. Because we live close to each other and do so much in the area, we’re definitely taking a trip to the Caribbean. So let’s say, we’re flying out to Jamaica, staying in a villa and hanging with the locals. I know they say not to do that (eyeroll), but God got us and we’re smart and we’re great with discernment. We’ll definitely be eating the best fresh food, tropical fruits, doing yoga, going to the beach, lots of drinks, bashments, just good vibes!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I have to shout out my best friend London McKoy! We’re not only best friends, but also motivate, encourage, support and we are legit fans of each other and our crafts collectively and individually. Before I started my journey of entrepreneurship with Evie & Bennie, I started DJ’ing and London is who encouraged me to do so. She and I are a DJ duo that goes by the name of The Don Dadas (my stage name is Lola Benjamin) and we’ve been at it since 2018.

If it wasn’t for her seeing a gift in me and seeing my light, I wouldn’t have thought to give it a try. I am forever grateful for that!

x

Website: www.evieandbennie.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/djlolabenjamin

Facebook: www.facebook.com/evieandbennie

Image Credits
@sirm00re (for all images except for the one with the headphones on. I took that 1 myself)

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