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

Hi Alyse, alright, let’s jump in with a deep one – what’s you’re definition for success?
Success is a tricky thing to define. I don’t have aspirations of being a millionaire but I do have a goal to make a living by doing creative things. Most of my adult career has been rooted in a business background and I am grateful for that but arts are where my heart lies. True success for me would be a steady income from music, acting, or film without having to have a “9-5” to sustain it. I do have monetary goals like I owning my house, car, commercial property, a vacation home, etc. but I want to get those things as a result of my passion, which would be the ultimate success.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Being a creative is one of the most freeing things about my life. Its the thing I am meant to do but fulfilling my purpose does not go without sacrifice and struggles. I work anywhere from 45-60 hours a week with my customer service business to be able to live a decent life and create high-quality art. I give up a lot of free time to go out or rest because I know that will delay the things I am working towards. I budget and save money months sometimes years in advance to bring the ideas in my head to life. It’s not always glamorous but I have never been scared to work for what I want. Specifically, there has been an intensity behind my work ethic in the last year that has been making a significant difference in my life and music career. As a result, my Alyse_uknow YouTube channel is growing, I am creating 4 new music videos this year, opening a new real estate business (Creative Community Group LLC), and dabbling in the arena of film production with a new partnership. The biggest lessons I have learned is to be consistent and intentional with every decision I make with my art. Details matter. Don’t let other people who do not share your standard of excellence tell you otherwise. No one else knows what you want more than you. Surround yourself with people who enhance the vision of what you are doing. These people are hard to find but keep looking for them. Stay away from people who only want to control or discourage your gift. And as much as you love your family and friends many of them will dismiss your goals so learn to ignore them and keep chasing after what is meant for you. Don’t take the lack of support or disinterest personally either. People can not believe what they do not see until you make it something tangible. The most important thing I want people to know about me and my brand is that whatever I decide to release and promote will always be a reflection of what is important to me in life. I also want people to know that I value humanity and want to make sure that when I do business in any area of my life that it is equitable and fair. Also know that I will always present my best and never stop fighting to put out great pieces that entertain and inspire.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m an OKC native and resident with DFW ties so I’ll give a few places from each location to try. In Oklahoma City, I’d make sure we make time to have breakfast at syrup. It’s an impact-based lunch boutique that focuses on giving back worldwide while serving up great breakfast. My favorite is the chicken and waffles but everything on the menu is tasty. For lunch, I’d suggest Off the Hook Seafood. It’s a small black-owned restaurant that has the best fried catfish and mac and cheese EVER! You can smell the heavenly aroma from the Britton highway exit. Before the week was up we’d make an appearance at Cheevers. The contemporary American eatery is the best place for an intimate meal with a friend. The restaurant barely holds 50 people at once but the decor and service are top-notch. The chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and jalapeño gravy are the star of the menu. For fun, I’d make sure you were in town for a Thunder Game. The energy in Chesapeake Arena is unmatched. Hopefully, we consume enough adult beverages that we’ll catch the attention of the jumbotron. For Dallas, Buzzbrews would be the move for breakfast. The eclectic scenery and the rich music history that fills the Deep Ellum walls definitely compliment the delicious food. My meal of choice is pretty simple, the oatmeal or grits with all the fixings but they have a full breakfast menu with options for even the pickiest eaters. Lunch would be causal with i Fratelli Pizza Downtown Dallas. The meat lover’s pizza is a gamechanger. 4 types of meat, premium mozzarella, and a savory marinara sauce that will satisfy your tastebud’s. The best way to order is ahead of time. There’s no dining inside so we’d take it to go and head over to the AT&T Discovery District. We can sit and people watch on the spacious lawn then walk around to some of the small shops. Afterward, we’d hop on some scooters and ride around until dinner time where we’d get the BEST bowl of gumbo at Nola Brasserie. Even people from 504 would be impressed by the creamy flavorful roux. Both cities have their own unique flair and are fun to explore. I encourage you to get out and find your own favorites.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There have been many people help me in my journey of becoming the artist, Alyse. One that sticks out in particular is Joshua Tullis aka DJ TripleEight. Anytime I ask anything of this man, he shows up and shows out for me. It can be something as small as a lift to my house when my car battery died or to help me come up with a bridge for my song. TripleEight is always there to lending a helping hand. I like to call him my “secret sauce.” His studio, Boombox International, is my go to place to record. It’s were 70% of my last project, Claudette’s Garden was recorded. On top of being a true professional in every aspect (music, real estate, club owner), Joshua is a great human. He has a heart of gold and a true passion to help. The thing that amazes me about him most is that he doesn’t just show up for me in this superhero kind of way. He supports every artist that he works with the same care. I am forever grateful and humbled to call him friend. Thank you DJ TripleEight for always showing up, showing love, and giving me a helping hand. Thank you for being apart of my continued success.

Website: www.alyseuknow.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyse_uknow/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alyse_uknow/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Alyseuknow/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/alyseuknow/

Other: Link to purchase Claudette’s Garden: https://alyseuknow.ecwid.com/Claudettes-Garden-EP-p275536835

Image Credits
Claudette’s Garden Cover- Tyreal Scarborough In the Studio with Kevin Cummingss- Rhema Leverrett

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