PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Tyler Riddick is a bit of a local celebrity.
On the surface, she comes off as a shy, giddy, yet too-cool-for-school 21-year-old, but she’s also a girl-boss in the making. The Germantown native recently opened her own creative arts studio in the Fishtown area.
“We offer mixing and mastering for recording artists. We have a podcast station. So if anyone’s interested in doing podcasting, we have the available equipment and space for you,” Riddick explained.
She’s had the privilege of using her creative talents for projects with recognizable rappers like Moneybagg Yo and some local influencers.
“We do photoshoots and vinyl printing. We do small events for album releases and things like that,” Riddick continued.
Since she was young, her mother and role model, Terri, got her involved in a variety of creative arts, like piano lessons, guitar and dance. She still dabbles in a little bit of everything — photography, podcasting, video production, even her own clothing line.
When saw a need for a place where others could explore their creativity, Riddick felt inspired to start a place of her own — Hilvl studios. She has a passion not only for the arts but also for helping others.
“I wanted to be a positive role model for the youth. So I want them to have a safe place where they can be creative and themselves, and not have to worry about anything on the outside.”
One of her most recent projects taught others the basics of photography and editing. After all, it was the generosity of other Philadelphians who taught her and helped her achieve success. Saudia Shuler of Country Cookin’ was one of the first people who gave her an opportunity by helping her with her cookbook, giving Riddick a start as a photographer and young entrepreneur.
Riddick also gives credit to her former teacher, Mr. Reed of The U School, for lending her the entrepreneurial skills that changed her life.
“He actually got me started with my business structure and branding myself, because he has a small business, Side Hustle Accelerator. After going through it, I learned a lot of stuff, and that was also a mentorship opportunity.”
That life-changing senior year was also the same year she lost her friend Jai Custis to gun violence. He was 16.
“That actually impacted me a lot to start being a role model for these younger kids out here,” she said.
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The Hilvl studio is a place where kids and anyone else can be creative and find a niche, hopefully leading to a side hustle of their own.
“I actually feel like I’m actually a light. And that’s what I try to be, but I always pray and ask God, can you use me as an example and show these young kids that there is more out here than just the streets. You can take your creative skills and actually make money and be successful from doing these things.”
Riddick is proud to show the next generation that hard work and passion really do pay off.
“You just got to stick to it. And if it is really instilled in your heart and this is really your passion, things are going to fall in line for you automatically. Just got to keep working.”