Conversations with Michelle Sprott

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Sprott.

Hi Michelle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started Brunchnista as a passion of mine that evolved into the lifestyle brand you see today. I love to brunch around NYC with friends, finding new places to dine, and using brunch as an opportunity to do wellness checks on my friends. There is no better way to catch-up on life than over a great meal. If you live in NYC, brunch is not just a meal but a lifestyle. It’s what you wear, where you dine, what to drink, and what you eat. I eventually became the go-to person for all things brunch in my circle. Friends would often ask for my recommendations on new brunch spots, what to order, and even what to wear to brunch. Of course, I had all the answers, and soon Brunchnista was born. Brunchnista was my lifestyle before it became the brand you know today.

In college, I spent a lot of time in the cafeteria eating, laughing, and figuring out life. After college, I realized that the opportunities to chit-chat with friends weren’t as prevalent. I saw a chance to use brunch as my way to connect with friends and also make new friends as an adult. I realized that as an adult, I would have to put more effort and be intentional about my connections. That was when I decided that brunch would be the perfect meal to accomplish this goal.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a reasonably smooth road?
The road hasn’t been obstacle-free. I have had many growing pains as a new entrepreneur.

From monetizing my brand to trademark issues and plenty of unexpected inventory snafus.

But I realize that every experience, every internship, every job, and class prepared me for this moment. Who would have thought that job I had at Kate Spade preparing hundreds of gift boxes would prepare me to do the same thing for my brand years later. I would have never understood that working in product development years ago with vendors overseas understanding their culture, would help me handle business with confidence and ease.

And my mother would be proud to know that my meticulousness in setting the table and the bad school reports “too much talking and socializing” would later become a major asset to my brand today. It would serve me well as I launched and hosted a virtual brunch series during the pandemic for Eden Bodyworks, Harlem Fashion Row, MTV, and Google. Those brand partnerships included a custom luxe place setting and a Black-owned brunch box filled with breakfast items from Black artisans. It’s been four years since starting Brunchnista, and each year I’m more confident that I have a great foundation and the authenticity to match that will help me tackle any obstacle that comes my way.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your brand
Brunchnista is a lifestyle brand for brunch enthusiasts. I want to help women of color curate a life of joy by permitting them to enjoy simple pleasures like food, friendships, and fun. It starts with small steps like trying a new brunch spot, wearing that beautiful dress you have hidden in the back of your closet instead of saving it for a special occasion because you are the occasion, or calling that friend you haven’t seen in a couple of months to share a mimosa. This is what I consider the bread and butter of my brand: curating moments of self-care and prioritizing our joy consistently.

As I continue to build my brand, I see how important community is to women in all stages of life. Real life connections are essential to our well-being and mental health. As our social landscape shifts to virtual events, it is more important now than ever to have a space to connect in real life—to take those URL connections and make them IRL connections.

The next phase of Brunchnista will focus on IRL connections. I’m proud that I created a virtual space for women, especially women of color who love brunch as a form of self-care.

Brunchnista wants women of color to normalize not having to take a vacation to experience luxury and gratitude. Instead, create it in our everyday day lives – in our dining experiences, our brunches, our friendships, our fun, and fashions. We deserve a luxurious lifestyle every day. Life is a collection of small, meaningful moments that we create intentionally, and Brunchnista is here with all the tea to help you turn those moments into reality.

How do you define success?
Success to me is becoming a self-actualized individual. I’m constantly evolving into who I am meant to be. Through challenges, life experiences, realizing that each step on my life ladder is moving me to my full potential. I was very fearful before starting Brunchnista. I gave myself a million reasons why it wouldn’t work and talked myself out of creating because I was afraid of the unknown. Success for me is no longer second-guessing my potential or ability to thrive in any space. Understand my power, trusting myself, and getting out of my own way! Success is owning my ideas, honoring my creativity, and not letting mistakes of past failures hinder my evolution as a successful CEO and business owner. I created something out of nothing; no one can take that away from my legacy.

 Pricing:

• Black-owned brunch box $95
• Black-owned brunch guide $10
• Bring your Brunch Kit (#BYOBK) for $48

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.brunchnista.com
• Instagram: @brunchnista
• Twitter: @brunchnista

Image Credits
@justhephotog (athome shots) @mama.photog (pink dress)