Gaining the KNWLDG to Build an Online Presence

As a creative artist, it can be a daunting task to shift attention from the passion of providing art to fans, to the technical aspects of building and maintaining a business. Although it’s important to have the ability to focus on crafting beautiful art, as a business, it’s equally as important to be able to monetize from these creations and provide something meaningful for consumers.  

Shane Harideen, otherwise known as Spade, is a Hip-Hop artist, producer, video director,  videographer, and clothing line owner from the GTA. He is the founder of his own Music Company, KNWLDG, in which he releases all of his music exclusively. He also owns his own video production and photography company, Absurd Visuals. Since the tender age of 12, he has found his passion in film and music, and was able to build on his skillset through his formative years.  Now Shane has built his social media presence with 1,250 followers on Instagram! 

Shane notes that it was difficult, especially in his younger years, to showcase his talents as the resurgence of social media came after his time in school. However, he has been able to adapt to the current landscape and establish a presence online, including building his own online store which showcases his art, as well as his clothing line.  

Within the support of the ShopHERE powered by Google program, Shane was able to work exclusively with an eCommerce Coordinator to assist him with building his online store, aligning perfectly with his vision! He found the task daunting at first, but with the help of his Coordinator, it was a game changer.  

“She was very pleasant, knowledgeable and quick to answer any questions and concerns I had. She did her best and made me feel confident that we would accomplish our task.”

Having full control of his clothing line was important to Shane, as his previous experience with a vendor presented difficulties with shipping, fulfillment, design, and orders. Now with full control of his own Shopify store, he has the ability to have a comprehensive view of his operations, and can stress less about his business!  

“It allowed me to take control of a certain aspect of my business/art which was out of my hands before. I am extremely grateful for the ShopHERE Program. I also learned a lot about operating and building my online store. The person who helped me was quick to respond and always willing to help me with any questions or concerns they had. They were knowledgeable and made me feel confident.” 

With the help of the ShopHERE program, Shane can now focus on creating phenomenal art and building his online following, all while being able to balance his business operations. Shane is an inspiration to creative individuals in the GTA, and shows that it is possible to generate revenue when focusing on your passions!  

“Just keep doing what you're doing. Don't stop working. If you have to pick up another job to pay the bills, do so but remember your passion and NEVER GIVE UP!”  

If you’re interested in KNWLDG and their online store, please click here. Want to learn more about the ShopHERE powered by Google program? Click here to find out more!