Savage 101: Life Lessons Taught By Everyone's Favorite Bad Gyal

By: Cynthia Vasquez

Class is in session and hopefully you’re ready to take notes! The best part about our instructor: she doesn’t simply teach. She leads by example with a mean strut and determination that can’t be shattered. Because who else can teach Savage 101 other than everyone’s favorite bad gyal, Rihanna?

Rihanna’s the embodiment of her brand and life’s motto. She doesn’t play by the rules, and that’s what made her a singer-turned-entrepreneurialgenius. Her innovative thinking fostered a creative brink and birthed fashion and beauty empires Fenty, Savage X Fenty, Fenty Beauty, and Fenty Skin. How can you unleash your savage lifestyle? Here are several life lessons that Ms. Fenty has shown the world.

GOOD BOUNCE BACK GAME

Rihanna is a bounce back queen. In 2009, she was nearly bankrupt. Due to mismanagement of her funds, she was only worth $2 million by year’s end. Flash-forward twelve years later, she’s the richest woman in the music industry, valued at $600 million.

The truth is to win big, you’ll lose equally as much. Pride and ego rule over our lives in harmful ways. Both attempt to convince us into giving up once the journey presents its obstacles. Imagine releasing the voices in your head that tell you to worry about other people’s opinions, concerns, and fears? It’s always easier said than done. But a savage is sure of herself - even if she’s not sure where life is attempting to take her. In the end, a good bounce back game is only developed by practice.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO EXPLORE OTHER AVENUES THAT FUEL YOUR CREATIVITY

Believe us – we’re still waiting on that album, too! But where life beckons, Rihanna explores. Sometimes, the best discoveries await in places we didn’t expect. For example, imagine if she hadn’t come out with Fenty Beauty in 2016? She had to step outside of her comfort zone - and for anyone planning to do that, courage is necessary. We can only grow by stepping outside of the box we’ve drawn around ourselves.

FAILURE DOESN’T EXIST – ONLY LESSONS

As she told the New York Times Style Magazine, “Never a failure. Always a lesson.” After confirming it’s a tattoo that goes across her collarbone and shoulder, Rihanna explained it’s a reminder to keep pushing forward. After all, how else do you learn? Mistakes are a part of the learning process. They’re also an essential part of the process to finding your passion and/or purpose. Embrace the fallbacks – they’ll only propel you further ahead. Whenever we’re most ready to give up, the breakthrough is typically inches away.

THE DREAM TEAM – FRIENDS & TEAMWORK DO GO TOGETHER

Who says work and play don’t go hand-in-hand? The best teams consider their fellow colleagues/ teammates as friends and family. #TheCorp as they’re known, are composed of several women who’ve known Rih since the beginning of her career.

There isn’t a separation between the two and a healthy set of personal and professional boundaries keeps the operation moving steadily ahead. The secret sauce: find people who have similar values, passions, and thoughts as you. (Cue: PYNK Lemonade! Yes, this is a shameless plug).

EMPOWER YOURSELF, EMPOWER OTHERS

Confidence goes a long way. But we forget to realize there’s a difference between that and arrogance. Rihanna doesn’t waste time patting herself on the back. In her world, everyone deserves to be empowered.

She’s also a keen advocate for young talent and creatives. Aside from being an enterprise, Rih has acknowledged Fenty as a creative hub. It’s a space that welcomes young talent and fresh perspectives. She’s actively helped young Black and POC creatives climb farther up the ladder into the beauty and fashion industries. Both of which don’t typically hold the boardroom doors open for us.

DON’T FOCUS ON DOING SOMETHING “BIG” – JUST DO IT

One of my favorite Rihanna quotes from the Savage X Fenty Show 2019, “When you keep yourself up at night thinking about making history, you not gon’ make it.” Overthinking kills dreams and we’re bound to find reasons “why not” in the process. That leap of faith is the first step we’ll take into an exciting new career path and journey. Once you take the jump, the rest will start to follow. Even if it sounds far-fetched, you’re only delaying your process by continuing to worry about the “whatifs” and how to make it “perfect.”

BET ON YOURSELF – BECAUSE YOU’RE WORTH IT

You are your most valuable investment. If you’re not willing to throw money down on the table for yourself and your ideas, then who else will? Stop believing the people who told you otherwise, as well. Seriously, leave it in the past starting today. Even if it feels scary, wrong, or like you’re not ready. Releasing that weight from your shoulders will allow you to levitate up to higher ground and begin viewing yourself as worthy and capable of anything.

Do you think Rihanna has allowed any naysayers, doubters, and haters to prevent her from checking things off her list? Nope, and that’s an amazing feat. To be a savage, you must be unafraid to navigate your own course. Go ahead and try it. We dare you!