Meet Simone Loudd of LoveLoudd and iamLoudd Productions in Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Simone Loudd.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Simone. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story starts as early as middle school, where I first discovered my passion for writing. It started out with poetry until I graduated to fan fiction stories. The most interesting part of that is that I used to skip spending times with my friends at lunch to read stories online. It didn’t matter that I didn’t know who the authors were. All that mattered was the stories were relatable: with me as the main character and the supporting characters being celebrities I knew of. Oh, how childhood seemed so simple!

From reading fan fiction, I began to create my own. My family and old friends can tell you I always had people sitting and reading my stories. Some still joke about how they got in trouble reading my stories in class. I may have had no idea what I was doing, but I know for sure that the feedback I received meant everything. The best part is that I still have the handwritten stories in old tattered binders to remind me of where I started, why I love what I do, and why I can’t quit.

While attending the illustrious Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia, (Shout out to the class of 2012! ) I realized that my passion for storytelling was meant to be on the big screen and not in the courtroom. Yes, I wanted to be a lawyer! I still shock myself when I look back on it. The very first time I picked up a camera was in 2009 for a film competition call Campus Movie Fest. I created a short film based on a poem I had written in high school. I was the director, writer, and editor! One week after entering the competition, I was called to the stage as the overall winner for Best Picture. I was in complete shock. I went into the competition with the mindset of having fun and telling a good story. It never crossed my mind that I would win a prize, but I knew from that point putting my stories on the big screen for the world to see was meant for me.

2013 I embarked on the next phase of my journey and started my Master’s program at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. I’ve heard from many you don’t need film school to be successful, but I don’t regret a single moment. Not only did meet an incredible group of people that I cherish dearly, but it expanded my knowledge of what I thought I knew and broadened my creativity. Oddly, I went into film school thinking I wanted to be an editor, but of course, I was led back to my love for writing. Seeing my hard work pay off on the big screen and watching people enjoy my form of storytelling once again confirmed what I should be doing.

In 2016, my writing traveled to new heights when I released my very first poetry book: LoveLoudd Poetry, with my best friend Yanique Love who I met during my undergrad years. The book was something we talked about writing for years since we always shared our love for poetry in college and collaborated on a few pieces together. Our accomplishment of being self-published authors quickly transformed into a small business expanding our writing abilities to blog posts and creating experiences through visual art.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road I have encountered to get where I am has been anything but easy. My mental health, more times than I can count, has prevented me from truly living my truest potential. Most people don’t want to discuss it, but depression and anxiety are real. They should also be normalized topics of conversation, especially in the black community. Despite how well I was raised, I have come to realize that mental health can affect anyone regardless of how beautiful life may seem from the outside.

I can’t remember when my anxiety started, but I’ve always been known as the worry wart: focused on the negative that may never occur when I had no reason to stress. Through my adult years, I have come to understand that what I manifest in my mind will manifest into reality. I try my best every day to pass along to others motivation and inspiration that I know I once needed, knowing the same will be returned to me. You never know when someone is going through something. A simple smile, holding a door open or giving a compliment can transform someone’s day. I remember being too young and naive to understand what the world/ universe had to offer when you are open to positive energy.

The darkest time in my life that was hardest to get back up from was losing my grandmother in May 2018. I was living with the mindset that everything I was doing was so she can see my name in lights before she left this earth. Once she passed, I lost a very large part of me that I wasn’t sure would ever be filled. I had many dark days trying to move forward and not understanding why she had to be taken away. I wished I could have more time to hear her voice. There were days where all I did was lay in bed and look at the ceiling before rolling over to cry into a pillow feeling physically defeated. Many days I didn’t want to go outside, but I was forced to put a smile on my face and go about my day. With the help of family and friends, I was able to realize that even though she may be gone she is still with me and will guide me through my journey.

Now, a little over a year later, I choose to honor her by continuing to push forward and committing to my dream. I strive to create honest and relatable visual content that displays my view of the world around me. I want my passion and integrity to influence and inspire others while giving opportunities back to my community, culture, gender, and race.

I’ve had my heart broken.I’ve been treated unfairly because my gender and race. I’ve experienced not knowing where my next check was coming from. I’ve struggled with loving myself. But TODAY, I am able to stand tall and proud to say, “I’m still here.” Obstacles will only stop you if you allow them to. You should let them build the strength you need to get through them. You’ll thank yourself on the other side. As my Nana used to quote, ” Pain may endureth through the night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

LoveLoudd and iamLoudd Productions – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am the Co-Owner LoveLoudd LLC, which I run with my best friend, Yanique Love. We strive to create experiences through poetry, blogs, and visual arts for women and men to connect with. We are most proud and dedicated to sharing our thoughts, concerns, and experiences with others who may have or are currently enduring the same. Our purpose is to connect with others in an effort to normalize love, joy, and pain. We encourage our followers to share their emotions and allow life’s experiences to assist them in growing as people.

As a company, I am most proud that we decided to expand beyond our poetry book and create a brand. We’re always thinking of new ways to be creative and share our brand with the world whether that’s through merchandise, events contests, etc. The sky’s the limit to being our best selves and thriving with our business.

Every time I remember that I have my own business I smile. Every time I remember I have a business with my best friend I dance. It’s one of the best decisions I could have ever made. It doesn’t matter if I’m in California and she’s in New Jersey, we’re able to find time to make it work.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career so far is making the decision to be an entrepreneur. Everybody’s story is different, and I’m happy my story continues to put me in an atmosphere with great people that push me to be my best self. It’s not easy, but I embrace the obstacles that are helping build my character. I work so had to achieve my goals that sometimes I tend to forget to take a step back to see how far I’ve come. As an entrepreneur, it’s important to count each step whether big or small as an accomplishment. One of my favorite quotes is: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Don’t allow fear to keep you stagnant. It’s okay to pat yourself on the back. Had it not been for motivation beneath my wings, I would have never tried to fly. If no one has told you, I believe in you and I wish you nothing but success.

Pricing:

• LoveLoudd Poetry books $10
• LoveLoudd T-shirts $15
• LoveLoudd Crewnecks $25
• LoveLoudd Promo pins $1-$5

Contact Info:

• Website: loveloudd.com
• Email: iamloudd@gmail.com

Image Credit:
@shotbysham

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