Today we’d like to introduce you to Akela Johnson-Young.
Hi Akela, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hey there! My name is Akela Young, pronounced Akayla. I’m a nurse, a wife, “The Trio’s Mom” and everyone’s favorite auntie. I love my village and my little family! I am simply a girl who came from a little trying to build a lot; a life my family and I can all enjoy now while creating a legacy they can be proud of later.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There’s been a few bumps. One of my greatest challenges has been letting my light shine. For some reason my confidence was often mistaken for me “thinking” I was better than others. Which could not have been further from the truth.
My mom instilled self-confidence in my sister and I very early on. So, I really struggled with people feeling or thinking this about me. After a while, I started to water myself down and dim my own light so others would feel more comfortable around me and wouldn’t feel like I thought I was better than them. Crazy right?! I know! After living long enough, though, I realized that was not healthy or fair to myself.
Now I understand that MY tribe, MY village will allow me a safe space to let my light shine AND allow me to be a safe space for them to do the same, without judgment.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I originally started Little Bit Boujee because I was that sports mom that just did the most. I was the mom on the sideline in the most glittery t-shirt with my kids’ names and numbers all over it. I wanted a shirt for every competition. BUT I was very particular.
I would order shirt after shirt from here, there, and everywhere and just remember no one ever getting it right no matter how specific I was. The ones who did get the shirts half way right were very expensive. I remember thinking to myself I have all of these great ideas and I know exactly what I want. I really need to figure out how to design and print them myself. So, I did just that. I’m very detail oriented so I’ve been able to really capture other people’s visions and bring them to life along with my own. Now I design and print for people all over. I also teach other moms how to turn their hobbies into small businesses.
The name comes from always being called stuck up and Boujee growing up. I thought about it for a while. While Boujee normally has a negative connotation, I was determined to redefine the word. To me, there was nothing wrong with being particular, liking nice things, and holding yourself to a certain standard. As I got older I kind of came to the realization that maybe I am a Little Bit Boujee (shrug).
Our newest venture!
At an early age, I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I told myself I would work as a nurse until I got my family to a place, financially, where we could start our own business. It took a little longer to convince my husband but in 2020 (during the height of the pandemic) we took a leap of faith and started Cooper-Young Enterprises, a commercial cleaning company based in Austin, Tx. with one of our friend couples. It’s still a baby, but it is growing fast and I am loving every minute of it!
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I had a really great childhood. I grew up with my mom and stepfather in the suburbs of West Fort Worth and I went to school on the Southside. Morningside Elementary. I learned so many life gems at Morningside! I was in the Montessori and Magnet programs and I remember it feeling like I was experiencing two different worlds at the same time. I felt like that all through school, honestly. Although I do believe this is why I am able to do well in any space, I feel like I’ve always struggled with where I actually “fit”.
I spent weekends and holidays at my grandmother’s in Carter Park (also South Fort Worth). I loved being with my cousins, (who were more like siblings) and the neighborhood kids, who were actually considered my cousins. Family was and is super important to me. As long as I can remember I’ve always been surrounded with so much love, laughter & encouragement. From my grandmother and her sisters to my cousins/siblings, my mom and her siblings, and all of my auntie-cousins, they have always loved, supported, and pushed me. That’s why it’s so important to me to pour into the generations coming behind me.
My mom and my grandma both liked to sew and tried and tried to train me to sew also. I was not interested! I remember my mom used to sew t-shirt dresses and would often let me decorate the t-shirt part. I LOVED it! My mom, my stepdad, and biological father are all very creative. So naturally, I am pretty creative as well. Creative writing, painting, and design are still some of my favorite stress relievers.
I also grew up around go-getters, and hustlers. My mom worked hard at her day job but I feel like she always had some sort of side hustle as well… and she always seemed to have more fun at her side hustle. At a young age, I knew I wanted to do the same. I wanted to make lots of money. However, I also knew I’d rather have a “side hustle” as my day job. The thought of a 9-5; doing the same thing every day for 20/30 years just did not sit well with me. I wanted to do what I loved and love what I do.
Contact Info:
- Email: littlebitboujee@gmail.com
- Website: littlebitboujee.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/littlebitboujee?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akela.johnsonyoung
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