Today we’d like to introduce you to Bria Green.
Hi Bria, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
The first handmade pieces that I sold were furry bags and chokers my freshman year of college alongside some t-shirts I had made. I was just barely getting my feet wet and learning what exactly it was I wanted to create, I was just ready to put something out. But, deep down, I wanted to create pieces with a lot more detail and meaning to me personally. By that time, I’d also realized this was where I wanted to be, so I dropped out of college. My mother was horrified(understandably), but I was confident and have pushed through ever since. A lot of my sales at that time were family and friends I had made through networking so I hadn’t really had a chance to see my work do well outside of my initial client base. Fast forward some years, and after refining my tastes and a lot of trial-and-error things have come to what you see now. My audience has grown some since then and I have a growing customer base in the northern US (NY, NJ, etc.). Navigating the manufacturing scene took a while and I still believe my greatest work is inside of me. Truthfully, I’m just getting started, but younger me would be quite proud of how far I’ve gotten.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
By all means, it has been anything but smooth. Dropping out of school, working full time, and trying to support a growing business presented many obstacles not just financially, but even as far as time management. You have to be disciplined enough to stick to personal deadlines as well as realize when you need a break. Also, the imposter syndrome is very real, it’s very easy to compare yourself to others and think you should be farther along, but your journey is just that, your own. I still work a 9-5 and have begun a job program for UI/UX design while running my business full time. Another thing is realizing you have to change. Your habits, comfort zones, and the way you approach problems will have to change if you want to move forward.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I would describe myself as an apparel designer, but what sets me apart is my love for graphic design and incorporating that into custom fabrics. I’m most proud of my Croft pants, I’d consider them my most detailed and versatile design due to styling capability. All my recent pieces are also all custom fabrics. I enjoy making art and using it to give pieces life. My Santos sweater is actually a picture of me.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My mom and boyfriend, the only people who have put their own money into making sure I’m successful. Grace, the photographer on most of my recent shoots to date has done everything she possibly can to bring my visions to life.
My friends, Demetrius, Cheyla, Crystal, and Kim have been my cheerleaders endlessly. Demetrius and Cheyla, I appreciate most for reminding me that nothing I do is small. Kim has bought just about everything I put out, and I appreciate that because she’s not just doing it to do so, but because she likes them. She goes out of her way to support me, that’s priceless.
Contact Info:
- Email: briasimonegr@gmail.com
- Website: briasimone.com
- Instagram: @billiondollabri @briasimoneofficial
- Twitter: @billiondollabr
Image Credits
Grace Bell
