Today we’d like to introduce you to Asia & Hakim.
Hi Asia & Hakim, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hello, we’re Asia and Hakim and we are owners of My Brothers Keeper Essentials and 300 Protection. Our first business venture together was security, since Hakim has been in this field for over 15 years we felt that it was a good idea to become independent and build our own name. We created 300 Protection in 2019 as an independent security company mostly working in bars in the metro area. After a lot of social media marketing, we began to get more celebrity clientele, therefore expanding business in executive protection. After the pandemic, we’ve been selective on taking any new contracts for safety reasons. Starting 300 Protection created the structure and discipline for all business goals moving forward; this is our baby. Our second company, #MYBROTHERSKEEPER started 2 years after Asia’s brother passed away. This company started off with designer crewnecks, but has grown to a lot more. We have expanded to a woman’s line that focuses on fashion and fitness; called the Den Doll Collection. We also started a YouTube channel called My Brothers Keeper Vlogs. Our channel now features a new blind dating series; we interview eligible singles in the Metro Detroit area and have them play a game of “Truth or Drink”. This new venture in producing and directing our own dating show has been a fun experience. The way we can build connections with people and spread the name of #MYBROTHERSKEEPER is the most important thing for us.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I saw a meme on Facebook that said “ I quit working a 9-5 to start my own business, now I work 25/8”. We have two businesses so you can only imagine the struggles we endure. Our latest struggle was that we got scammed, and our YouTube blind dating series almost didn’t happen. We booked a filming studio through a peer renting app (something like AirBnB), the day we pulled up, the door is locked and after calling the owner of the listing three times, he tells us he hasn’t had the listing in over 6 months. Last minute we had to pack everything up and film at our house. But like J. Cole said “ it’s beauty in the struggle”, we were still able to film and have a good time; and you can’t be mad at that.
Networking is a blessing and a curse. Not everyone has your best interest, and that is something we continue to deal with on a daily basis. We have been taken advantage of in many ways where we had to learn to not be so nice or lenient, because people will really take your kindness for weakness. We have hired and paid people to do work that never got done. We’ve wasted money on people who have done mediocre work, and we couldn’t even post it on any of our websites or social media.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
300 Protection is our baby. It was our first business together and blew up really fast. There are many security companies in the Detroit area and what set us apart was our professionalism, honesty, and social media presence. We were marketing security in a way that no other company around us was doing. When it comes to security Hakim can do it with both eyes closed. He’s always been professional and honest. Our proudest moment with 300, is getting a call from Arrogant Tae to be Ari Fletcher’s security. This was our first bodyguard job as a company, and to know that he found us through our social media marketing showed that we were on the right track. Since the pandemic, we are strictly focusing on celebrity clientele (executive protection). If any celebrity is coming to Detroit and they need professional and reliable security we can be reached via IG or Facebook @300_PROTECTION or text/call (734)828-9536.
#MYBROTHERSKEEPER is many things, a clothing brand, YouTube channel, a lifestyle. It can’t be put into one box. This company has no boundaries because it is sending a message of love and understanding and we plan to spread that message in every way possible. What we’re most proud of brand wise is watching the company grow into something more than we could ever dream. There are no limitations on this brand because we want to show others you can really do whatever you put your mind to. We want readers to check out our website MBKDEN.COM and use the code “MBK10” to get $10 off any purchase. Also, free shipping on all orders over $50! Our women’s line, the Den Doll Collection is new and I’m really proud to present something for women that promotes health and body positivity. We have two new sets, Fall For Me and Peaches & Cream. What makes these sets special is that we now have added green tags. Green was my brother’s favorite color and at Hakim’s suggestion, we started to incorporate that into our designs.
Finally, My Brothers Keeper will be getting more involved in the music industry as well. The outro song on our YouTube is a song Asia produced and co-wrote in dedication to her brother called “Death Before Dishonor”. It has inspired her to want to produce more music. This song gives a deeper meaning and understanding of My Brothers Keeper and Asia’s relationship with her brother and family. It features the skillful rapping talent of My Brothers Keeper’s very own Keem (Hakim) and gifted singer Nwome (@gwonande). As the engineer we are working with DJ Ill Will (@illwilldet) who has worked with Icewear Vezzo and many other artists from the D. So listen out for new music from us!
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
You must take risks when it comes to a business. Any time you’re putting yourself out there for the world to see you are taking a risk. You are opening yourself to judgment from people you know and people you don’t. When it comes to clothing, you are constantly taking a risk. You wonder if people will react positively to your designs or if you’re just wasting money. Sometimes you may not sell anything for months, and you have to constantly analyze your business to find out what works and what doesn’t. We haven’t had any major risks as of yet (unless you count being scammed), but the few setbacks we did have were fixable. That’s another thing about risks, even if the outcome is bad, you still have to be positive.
Pricing:
- Executive Protection $100 hour
- Skeleton Coast Jogger Set Collection (unisex) $50 per set
- Fall For Me Set (women’s) $75
- Peaches & Cream Set (women’s) $75
Contact Info:
- Website: MBKDEN.COM
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mybrotherskeeperessentials | https://instagram.com/300__protection
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mbkessentials
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCoMc99sFh9IgdX2FTBDH7QA
