Meet Ashley & Cory Rhodes | Owners of Liberation Drip (a custom press and printing company)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley & Cory Rhodes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley & Cory, why did you pursue a creative career?
Hi Ashley & Cory, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?

We wanted to be able to leave a legacy behind for our children while sharing our artistic talents with the world. Sharing the beauty of our culture throughout our products is also another reason we chose a creative path professionally. Art has always been a huge influence in our lives starting in our childhoods. We saw it everyday with music, photos, dancing, drawing, fashion, poetry and painting. (Ashley) My Uncles and dad were great at painting and drawing and I followed and I also took to poetry. As the years passed and I finished highschool I no longer spent much time with my crafts. I still would find myself doodling from time to time but didn’t think too much about being able to profit from it. Once I had my 1st born I was ready to start making keepsakes but didn’t have a clue where to start. One day I decided to make some custom shoes and a shirt. It turned out pretty well but shortly after I was busy with parenting now 2 more children and working. Once school projects started for my children I started getting compliments on items I would make and told me that I should pursue it. I didn’t know where to begin so I decided to start on youtube. With further research I realized with the scale of projects I wanted to produce for clients I would need to purchase a few machines, tools, and materials. January 2020 the pandemic was still slowing life down. Finally had the time and money at the same time and decided this was our moment to begin! Now I’m able to pursue my dreams and help others do the same with our creative talents. My children will now see that no matter the amount of money or resources it’s possible to pursue your dreams! (Cory) I feel that art is used in our daily lives and very important in our culture. I see our culture all over the place told by people who aren’t us and I feel it’s more organic coming from the people who are and represent it. Growing up in the 90s had a very strong impact on how I accepted and interpreted art through hip hop and neo-soul and Tv’s shows from the 70’s to the early 00’s. Movies like Willie Dynamite, The Mack and Foxxy Brown and Boyz N The Hood, can’t forget about Soul Train. The part of Dallas where I grew up is south Oak Cliff. There was so much culture here at the time. I know Dallas is a big deal these days so when it comes to marketing our art and company style is everything! I know when people come here they like to talk and look like Dallas or some part of Texas, mainly the southern part. That’s what we represent! We started making t-shirts and received so many compliments on our work so we invested in it and here we are now.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
This section was with the question that said Tell us about your brand and what you’re most proud of and something you had to overcome etc…when you emailed it back to us it was with something different…

Here at Liberation Drip we create custom designs, mock-ups, and logos. We put them on items such as clothing, jewelry, picture frames, glassware, shoes, car seats, bags, labels, cards, etc. We do items for business merch needs, family reunions, birthdays, concerts, funerals, memorials, weddings, teacher appreciation week, holidays, and custom gifts. If you can think it up or have a special occasion we can do it! Liberation Drip loves for our clients to have the freedom to have exactly what they want from a design and not something close to it. We offer advice on the best materials to go with and how long they should last, budget friendly options, quick turnarounds, and last minute add-ons. Liberation Drip also has its own casual, fitness, and afro-centric line of products that our clients can purchase. (Ashley) I’m most proud of Ludacris’s show Karma’s World posting a custom birthday blue jean jacket I made for a client to their page and story. (Cory) I’m most proud of how we are able to complete those huge bulk orders or difficult client designs with just the two of us. People entrust us with their ideas and projects. It’s such a thrill for us to see the smiles on their faces and satisfaction once they receive their orders! (Ashley) It’s far from easy because everything is handmade and sometimes mistakes happen and have to be corrected or machines break down. One major thing I’ve learned is people will try and duplicate what you do but if their hearts aren’t in it and backed with blood, sweat, and tears NO ONE can duplicate what you offer! (Cory) There is a certain type of quality and energy that goes into what we do and go through for our clients satisfaction. (Ashley) I was so excited about my 1st bulk order after only being started for only two months. There were alot of first time projects and frustrations but I persevered. It was this company’s 1 year anniversary and they wanted to showcase their brand and represent their art of spoken word poetry. Attempting to strive for perfection on the first go around but also having the weight of creative control for so many unique individuals gave me a thrill. I recreated designs so many times I lost count. When I receive projects whether big or small I always feel like they are my babies and want the absolute best outcome. The order had several designs of shirts, glass shot glasses, plastic shot glasses, masks, and keychains. There were at least 100 customized items and everyone loved them. People who aren’t in the business just think we are doing arts and crafts but it’s bigger than that. Designing in itself is a job. Sometimes customers change their minds after you’ve put your time and effort into what was originally agreed upon. Clients want to get their name out there and bring light to who they are and it’s our job to make it happen. We have so much more in store for you guys and with time it will be seen.

#liberateyourart

#liberateyourmind

#liberationdrip

#dripforsale

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

The community now has a budget friendly company that can help them expound up on their business needs. We can help them make profits off of merchandise that represents their companies. Custom company merchandise will allow customers to rock their company’s name while advertising to potential customers at the same time. As we grow we hope to one day be able to volunteer our services to several small up and coming businesses in the community. One day Liberation Drip would like to help youth get started creating while still in school so that they can have something once graduating highschool to add to whatever college or career endeavors they pursue in life.

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.
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.

We mostly go out to eat or to family friendly venues. Cidercade is cool for gaming with the family and there is fresh brewed cider for the adults. Big Daddys, ITSO VEGAN, Yemsade, and Ida Claire are dope spots to eat a good meal and try something new. Pan African Connection is a place where you can attend cultural events and purchase books, all natural essential items, afrocentric art, etc. You can also go to the Fair Park. There are different museums there filled with family fun, and hands-on activities.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shout out?

Giving the biggest shoutout to our children Heaven, Cory Jr., and Harmony they are always so proud of our accomplishments whether big or small and they make sure to always promote Liberation Drip wherever they go. I would like to give a shoutout to Lyrik Hunter of The Brown Sugah Lounge for entrusting us with designing and customizing business merch. They were our 1st bulk order when we started our business last year and continue to be great clients. Shoutout to our friend and business ally Waymon Tucker we are grateful for his advice and help getting started. A special shoutout to my late mother Gwindale Boson for her ambition and drive to do whatever it took in life that will live with us forever! Last but not least we are forever grateful for all of our family, friends, and clients who have supported us! THANK YOU!

Instagram: instagram.com/liberation_drip

Other: rhodesfamily214@gmail.com

Image Credits
Ashley Rhodes Cory Rhodes Aaricka Johnson