Podcast Summary
Speak to the experiences of women, particularly black women, through apparel line: Stay true to your vision, create a product, fulfill orders, provide customer service, and leverage community support to achieve goals.
Creativity and self-expression can lead to success, no matter the size of the business. Khalilah Wright's apparel line, mess in a bottle, started as a way to speak to the experiences of women, particularly black women, and has grown into a popular brand available in retail giants like Target. The journey to success involves not only creating a product but also fulfilling orders and providing customer service. The importance of staying connected and signing up for newsletters or becoming a Patreon member to receive exclusive content was also emphasized. Overall, the episode highlighted the importance of staying true to one's vision and the power of community support in achieving goals.
A platform for self-expression and giving voice to the voiceless: The Mess brand empowers individuals to express themselves and fosters a sense of community and solidarity through open conversations about difficult topics
Mess is more than just an apparel brand; it's a platform for self-expression and giving voice to the voiceless. The founder, a trained architect and black immigrant woman, drew inspiration from her experiences of feeling unappreciated in a male-dominated profession and witnessing social unrest in her community. Mess in a Bottle was born out of a need for conversation and solidarity during a time when difficult topics were not openly discussed. The brand's messaging resonates with people because it addresses the thoughts and feelings that are often kept hidden. Mess is a testament to the power of self-expression and the importance of creating spaces where everyone can feel seen and heard.
Embracing authenticity and individuality: Staying true to yourself and expressing authenticity can lead to meaningful connections and a sense of purpose. Starting from what's authentically yours is the most effective way to reach people.
Staying true to yourself and expressing your authentic voice can have a profound impact on others. The speaker shared her personal journey of embracing her individuality and creating art that resonates with people, leading to meaningful connections and a sense of purpose. She emphasized that starting from what's authentically yours is the most effective way to cut through the generalization and reach people. The speaker also reclaimed the word "mess," using it to describe her unique journey and growth, reminding us that even as we improve and grow, we'll still face challenges. Overall, her story highlights the power of staying true to yourself and the ripple effect it can have on others.
Refining your message through introspection and filtering out external noise: Take time to refine your message, set boundaries, and filter out external noise to connect with others effectively.
Creating and expressing a meaningful message requires self-reflection, introspection, and the ability to filter out external noise. The speaker, who started a company and wrote a book, shares how they went through a period of protecting themselves from harmful words and learned to process their thoughts carefully before sharing them with the world. This process helped them craft a clear and impactful message. The concept of a "message in a bottle" represents the idea of putting your thoughts and ideas out into the world, but it also requires acknowledging and accepting the messiness and uncertainty that comes with it. The speaker encourages setting boundaries, being expressive, and taking the time to refine your message to connect with others.
The power of a solid concept: A strong message or concept is crucial for business success. Believe in your idea, execute it well, and create opportunities for growth.
Having a strong concept or message is essential for building a successful business. The speaker shares her personal experience of juggling entrepreneurship, single motherhood, and personal struggles while trying to launch a meaningful apparel line. She emphasizes the importance of creating something with depth and impact, rather than just selling a product. The speaker's experience in architecture school reinforced the value of a solid concept, and the success of her business, "Mess in a Bottle," demonstrates the power of a well-executed idea. Additionally, the speaker takes pride in employing a mostly black female staff and creating opportunities for them in Baltimore. She shares how her business grew from humble beginnings in a row house to a thriving company, and encourages believing in oneself to take the necessary steps to level up.
Following your passion and taking a leap of faith: Believing in yourself and taking risks can lead to turning a passion project into a successful business, despite initial challenges and opposition.
Following your passion and taking a leap of faith can be a challenging but rewarding experience. The speaker, an immigrant and former architect, shares how he left his stable job to pursue making t-shirts full-time. He faced opposition from his family and financial struggles, but his determination and hustle paid off as people connected with his brand. He emphasizes that everyone's comfort level and circumstances are different, and success may not come overnight. However, with persistence and a strong belief in oneself, it's possible to turn a passion project into a viable business. The speaker's story is a testament to the power of believing in oneself and taking risks to pursue one's dreams.
Starting a business involves overcoming challenges: Adversity and resilience are essential for business success. Take necessary safety precautions to protect your business and keep pushing forward.
Building a successful business involves overcoming challenges and adapting to new environments. The speaker shares her experience of starting a business from her home, relying on a "street team" to spread the word, and eventually moving into a shop. However, her new location was targeted in a robbery, leaving her feeling violated and shocked. Despite her community-focused approach, the robbers didn't know her or care about her contributions. This experience taught her to be more cautious and to continue pushing forward in the face of adversity. It also underscores the importance of taking necessary safety precautions, especially when starting a business and transitioning to a new location.
Unexpected danger as a parent: Robbed at gunpoint: Staying vigilant and prioritizing safety is crucial for parents to protect themselves and their children.
Being a responsible parent can lead to unexpected and dangerous situations. The speaker, who owns an online business, was robbed at gunpoint in her shop. She was terrified, thinking about her young son and how she wouldn't be able to provide for him if she was taken away. The robbers demanded her card and money, but she explained that she had no cash and her business was online. They took her into a small bathroom, leaving her alone with a gun to her head. She remembered Oprah's advice not to let anyone take her into a separate room. The robbers eventually left, but the experience left a lasting impact on the speaker. She was affected by the contrast between light and dark during the ordeal and struggled to cope with the trauma. She managed to escape and call the police, but the experience made her realize the importance of staying vigilant and prioritizing her safety for her son's sake.
Community support during adversity: Even in tough times, the kindness and encouragement of a community can help individuals persevere and grow their business.
Even in the face of adversity and trauma, the support and compassion of the community can help individuals push through and thrive. The speaker's experience of being robbed at her shop led to unexpected exposure and an influx of orders from around the world. Despite wanting to give up and return to architecture, the outpouring of support from customers kept her going. The building she eventually moved into, which she hadn't realized was dark and uninviting, became a symbol of her past trauma. But as she grew her business, she transitioned into a larger, brighter space, symbolizing her healing and growth. The human connection and compassion shown to her during this difficult time were crucial in helping her continue her entrepreneurial journey.
Staying focused and persistent leads to unexpected opportunities: Creating your own opportunities and staying persistent can lead to partnerships and success, even with the help of technology
Perseverance and creating your own opportunities can lead to unexpected success. Khalila shared her experience of attending vending events alone, making her own products, and struggling to sell them. Despite the challenges, she kept going and eventually met a woman who worked for Target. Although she didn't push for a connection, Khalila continued to create her own noise and make things happen. Years later, Target reached out to her, leading to a partnership. The Internet, in the form of this chance encounter, played a role in her success, but she emphasized the importance of staying focused and persistent in the face of adversity.
Representation and advocacy lead to opportunities: Advocacy by underrepresented executives can lead to significant opportunities for entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.
Representation and advocacy can lead to significant opportunities. A Jamaican entrepreneur shared her experience of working with Target during Black History Month, which resulted in a large order and widespread distribution of her products. She attributed this success to the presence of black executives at Target who saw potential in her brand and advocated for her. The entrepreneur also highlighted the importance of ethics and fulfillment in business partnerships. She expressed gratitude for the trust and support she received from Target, which allowed her to grow her business and build a strong relationship with her vendor. The story underscores the importance of advocacy, representation, and collaboration in creating opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Embracing life's messes for personal growth: Allow yourself to experience various life experiences, including failures and traumas, to grow wiser and gain perspective. Seek help and practice self-care, including self-compassion, to manage challenges.
Embracing the mess and allowing oneself to experience various life experiences, including failures and traumas, is essential for personal growth and wisdom. The speaker shares how she has learned to let go of expectations and accept the unknown, recognizing that these experiences have shaped her into a smarter and wiser person. She also emphasizes the importance of seeking help from others and allowing emotions to surface in the healing process. The speaker's use of running as a metaphor for pushing through challenges and her experiences with therapy illustrate the importance of self-care and self-compassion in managing life's messes. Additionally, the speaker mentions how her appearance, including her bald head and glasses, are significant to her identity and her career in architecture.
Embracing Unique Identity: A Path to Liberation: Discovering self-worth through personal experiences, embracing unique identity, focusing on goals, and seeking inspiration can lead to liberation and transformation.
Self-acceptance and embracing one's unique identity are powerful forms of liberation. The speaker shares her personal journey of discovering her self-worth through her experiences with her professors, her hair, and societal pressures. She found solace in Professor Chan's belief in her genius and the decision to cut her hair, which allowed her to feel confident and authentic. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of discipline and focus, as illustrated by her adoption of the 12-week year method and the pursuit of her goals. Additionally, she finds inspiration and learning through various sources, including books and social media influencers. Overall, the speaker's story highlights the transformative power of self-acceptance and the importance of staying true to oneself.
Reflecting on personal growth and sacrifices: Despite feeling rusty and uncertain, the speaker is determined to adapt and make the most of new opportunities, acknowledging the sacrifices made by her parents and striving to make a positive impact on her family.
Personal growth and discovering one's purpose can be a lifelong journey. The speaker in the conversation shares her experiences of considering new opportunities but feeling rusty or unprepared due to the passage of time and the need to adapt to new learning methods. She also acknowledges the privilege of having the opportunity to pursue her passions and reflects on the sacrifices made by her parents and the impact it had on her ability to fully realize her potential. Ultimately, she expresses her determination to make the most of the present moment and strive to make a positive impact on her family.
Empowering Messages in a Bottle: Amanda's Entrepreneurial Spirit: Amanda's 'Mess in a Bottle' platform offers inspiring messages in various merchandise, making it an excellent gifting option, and she emphasizes the importance of filling out the FAFSA for college financial aid.
Amanda, a passionate individual, recognizes her potential to positively impact her family's financial situation and the broader issue of black poverty. She is using her entrepreneurial spirit to create "Mess in a Bottle," a platform where people can send inspiring messages to others. The business offers various merchandise, including shirts, totes, jackets, and more, making it an ideal choice for gifting during holidays and events like Black Friday. The messages in the bottles aim to uplift and inspire the recipients. Additionally, Amanda shared information about the importance of filling out the FAFSA for college financial aid, emphasizing that it's a crucial step towards securing scholarships and financial assistance for students, regardless of their academic achievements.
