Today we’d like to introduce you to Briana Jackson of BriStepsForwardLLC.
Hi Briana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Like many ecommerce businesses, my company started at the height of the COVID pandemic. I found myself with more time, and an opportunity to invest in myself and the visions I have had for years. What started as a simple t-shirt printing company concept, has organically and beautifully blossomed into a much larger vision and purpose. A unifying, community-building apparel company.
I will forever credit anything I have to God’s blessings and the people he has placed in my life. They have not been afraid to pass the torch and teach me what they know. One friend in particular named Kourtney comes to mind. She took me into her home and taught me the “t-shirt press game”. The ins and outs, the dos and don’ts. I am forever grateful she lives by the motto, “It’s enough for everyone to eat”.
I still remember the very first design we created in her home. Shout out to the hubby for the inspo! It read, “Between COVID & dirty cops” (front)” and “I can’t breathe…” (back). Truly a sign of the times when I first released it as black voices were not only being heard but felt at the heart of a pandemic that was bringing discrimination and public health disparities to the forefront. I remember being so nervous to put that first design out there. “What if no one liked it?”, “what if it made people upset?”, “what if no one bought it? I sold 30 of those shirts within two weeks. My family and friends showed so much love and support, I am forever grateful. That was the push I needed to trust my vision and to not be scared to put my ideas out there into the world.
Fast forward three years later, I have expanded my reach and audience by introducing embroidery, design, and custom printing services, getting plugged into my community, assessing local needs, and donating profits to missions that resonate with me. I also rebranded the business and changed the LLC name from Givingutheworks to BriStepsForward. The new name is a play-off of the common phrase “3 steps forward” and my nickname “Bri”. It symbolizes taking the literal three steps forward and me stepping forward into this new journey. It’s so much bigger than apparel. 2023 is going to be an amazing year and I am thrilled about what’s to come!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think with any amount of success, there will be challenges. What’s a reward without the challenges and lessons you learn along the way! I honestly think being in my own head and self-doubt were one of the hardest challenges and obstacles to get over. The doubts of “if I am good enough?”, “will people accept me?”, “what if I fail?”. We truly can be our toughest critic. All of those thoughts can keep you trapped and unwilling to try and go for it. I still struggle with those thoughts today. So much so, I even dedicated a “Recovery” t-shirt line to it. “Recovering Self-doubter” and “Recovering Overthinker” are some of the designs I wear to motivate myself when I have those negative thoughts.
Also, knowing what information is for you can be challenging as well. Social media and the information shared on those platforms can be overwhelming. Everyone is telling you what to do to be successful, how to do it, and what to buy to get you there. Take your time, do your research, and confide in a trusted source. Trying to tackle too many moving parts at once can be taxing. Take it one goal, one task, and one accomplishment at a time.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My company is known for creating custom, high-quality apparel. We have processed orders for families, new businesses, events, schools, and even a few celeberties. We specialize in custom printing but have recently expanded into embroidery. We are most proud of our ability to give back to the community. We love the fact we are using much of our profits to give back to our local communities, schools, business and organizations through donations, fundraising efforts and general support that may be needed. We even use local black-owned business for much of our business supplies and inventory needs.
I think we are set apart from the larger custom print and apparel companies because we don’t require minimum order quantities, we don’t tack on additional fees, we have fast turnaround times, and we strive to keep the dollar circulating locally. We all know how life can happen! You call yourself planning ahead and the next thing you know your event is just days away and you still haven’t ordered the apparel or custom items you need for the event. That’s where shopping with your local print companies can be a lifesaver. We got you!
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is my reputation and the legacy I leave behind. What will I, my company, or anything attached to me for that matter, be known for. My company is a representation of me, my energy, my heart, and what I put out into the world. That’s what matters most, and I work each day to make sure those things are honest, true, and a genuine reflection of my highest self.
What also matters is my obligation to pass along my success. What good is a received blessing if it’s not passed on to others? Just as those have mentored, supported, and lifted me up, I want to do the same for other people. I truly believe sharing your blessings and successes only cause them to multiply.
Pricing:
- Custom t-shirt orders can range from $7-$35 per shirt depending on the design
- Custom embriodery order can range from $15-$45 depending on the design
- Our standing premium t-shirt designs on the website range from $10-$35
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bristepsforward.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bristepsforward/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bristepsforward/
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Image Credits
All photos are owned and licensed by BristepsforwardLLC Model photos provided by placeit
