Articles of Insight Presents: Grant Simms
Meet Grant Simms, Co-Founder of 7House and Owner of Smerbo (Grant’s upcycled luxury garment brand). 7House is a live entertainment company that curates events for millennial art, fashion, and music enthusiasts, with ArtWay being their most notorized multi-state event.
Q: From our standpoint you are very successful, but what does success look like to you?
A: Success looks different for me every few years to be honest. As I gain more knowledge of self and the world, my ideas of success began to look different. Financial freedom, creative freedom, and HEALTH are where those ideas are right now at 26. A few years ago it looked like cars, jewelry, and more fancy shit. I think that right now I’m set on just simply finding the idea of freedom (whatever that is) and being healthy while doing it. A place where I can do what I want when I want, both financially and professionally in the most healthy mind-frame possible.
Q: What have been the most successful, glorious, and proud moments of your life? Who helped you to get there? Where were you? And how did it feel?
A: There have honestly been a few glorious and defining moments of my life that come to mind. I think my most special were Graduating college at ISU and having our first Artway in Atlanta. Both of those moments were so important to me because they took ALOT of work and sacrifice to complete. I would say everybody around me family, friends, peers in Indianapolis, etc. helped me in someway or another. Wether it was financial support, coming to an event, posting the flyer, a motivational text etc. Everything helped me complete those goals. Seeing your hard work pay off is a beautiful feeling and that’s what College WAS and 7House IS for me.
Q: Can you think of a time where you’ve had to persevere through an obstacle that might’ve discouraged other people?
A: Absolutely, I think my biggest obstacle thus far has been losing people very close to me at young ages. It discouraged me for years honestly and it still does sometimes, I just know how to cope better. It took a lot of self reflection and a great village around me to keep me going. I know first hand how losses that close and that young can discourage people in many ways. The perseverance of not only me but the people that went through it with me has been tremendous and I can only thank God and my angels for keeping us going.
Q: We loved the 7House Globe Trotters merchandise run, what do you think the world’s biggest issue is and what do you think the solution to the problem is?
A: I honestly believe the worlds biggest problem is a lack of love, and empathy. Being able to see things from multiple perspectives and show love regardless of those perspectives is key. I don’t really know what the solution is but I know showing that love and being empathetic is a way to start, leading by example. Finding ways to love yourself is also the beginning to the solution. That might be the most important.
Q: We all know the saying “birds of a feather flock together”, what are some positive attributes you’ve inherited from your parents, mentors, or friends?
A: I have inherited so much from my family and my peers. It’s unbelievable when you think about it, both good and bad. Through mentors, family, and friends I’ve inherited the ability to trust God, pay attention to the details around me, and to simply keep going. I grew up around a lot of people with different backgrounds so being able to inherit different attributes from school to street backgrounds has helped me tremendously.
Q: What are your most nourishing, healthy habits and how much have they made a difference in your growth?
A: I think that my most nourishing and healthy habits are honestly working out, prayer, and focusing on the LOVE around me. These are all things that I’ve just started being more consistent with in the past year and it has changed my life in major ways! A complete 180 almost. I want to get more consistent with meditation as well down the line.
Signed: SMERBO
Juneteenth Weekend Grant and 7House are hosting an offspring event of ArtWay called PARDIWAY, an immersive art fair for a purpose. A collaboration between Be Nimble Foundation & 7HOUSE serving to celebrate entrepreneurship & innovation in the black art space on June 17th in Indianapolis, Indiana. With celebrators visiting from across the country attendance is highly advised.
