Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlyn Davis.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My journey started as a junior in college during my campaign for Miss FAMU. The person making my campaign shirts suggested that I should start making my own. I always wanted to create my own shirts but never had the resources to do so. So, with the push of support from friends and family, I made an investment and finally got the resources and started to get my creative juices flowing. This was close to spring break and I was expecting for some of my spring break pictures to go viral, so I decided to create a swimsuit with FAMU 1887 on it and hoped people would like my work. I took a picture on South Beach and like I hoped, the picture went viral. I was getting inquiries from all over, not just from FAMU students but from students and alumni even of HBCUs all over. I was super excited. As business started growing, the person handling my shirt production and I started having differences. There were a lot of issues regarding delivery of products and inventory availability. It got to a point where I had no idea of when I could get people the products, they spent money on and it felt like I was lying to my customers because he wasn’t being truthful with me. Eventually I had to end the relationship and start looking for ways to continue production. At the end of the day, it’s my business and my face and name were on the line so I had to take control and accountability. I ended up raising money from my family, I took a one-on-one class from a shirt company in Atlanta to learn how to create quality shirts with my own equipment and watched numerous videos from YouTube University and thankfully by Homecoming 2017, By Cait The Great was finally up and running the way I dreamed it would.
Has it been a smooth road?
Honestly my journey hasn’t been completely smooth. The biggest stumble since I’ve been in business has to be when I created the “HBCU Spring Break Boxes.” It was expected to be a big seller but life happens and coronavirus hit us hard. A lot of people’s spring breaks were canceled and they no longer needed what I was trying to sell. I had to issue refunds and the sales for what I hoped would be an innovative idea just didn’t meet expectations. It was definitely a lesson and I’m taking the results from my failure to come up with something better.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Be Great Store – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My name is Caitlyn Davis, also known as Cait The Great. I am an Alumna of thee Florida A&M University with a bachelors in Biology. I have two apparel businesses, @shopbycaitthegreat and @begreat.shop. Shop By Cait The Great consists of unique HBCU apparel and custom pieces. The Be Great Shop specializes in different apparel and lifestyle items, like shirts, mugs and soon there will be more products offered with the logo to remind people the importance of being great as a lifestyle. I am most proud of my brand being able to influence society with my platform to spread awareness about HBCUs vitality. I believe my brand being able to follow trends, give motivation messages, plus a 90s nostalgia and black pride feel that sets my brand apart from others.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the cultivation and the fact that we are the black mecca of the United States. I least like that not everyone takes advantage of the opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.begreatstore.com & www.shopbycaitthegreat.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/begreat.shop?igshid=tzh0e5z3bdte
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