BSP (Brown Skin Poppin), all started off as a compliment owner, Theresa Taylor, and her cousins used to share with each other. The compliment came from when Theresa and her cousins would either see each other, or see a picture they posted and write, “Brown Skin Poppin.” It was then Theresa decided that positive message between her and her cousins could become a brand. After working many corporate jobs and just not feeling fulfilled, Theresa decided to take that risk and start her own business. She started selling t-shirts and hats on the weekends and saw that people were supporting her message. “I wanted to create a clothing brand that could give woman of color a sense of pride. I want little girls that were like me to know that no matter if they are the darkest shade of brown to the lightest they brown skin is poppin.” – Theresa Taylor. Starting in 2015, BSP (Brown Skin Poppin) was created to celebrate every shade of women of color and has grown to almost 1,000 Instagram followers. With plans this year to collaborate with other brands, and host an event for young girls who struggle with confidence, BSP is not slowing down any time soon. With plans to inspire all women of color, especially the youth, Theresa plans on taking her business globally. Be sure to check out her latest collection called, “ I Am Brown,” in honor of black history month, and her other designs as well!
Interview Questions:
Why did you chose your company name / What does it mean to you?
BSP (Brown Skin Poppin) clothing line was created to celebrate women of every shade of brown. How the name originally came about is when myself ,and some of my cousins, would see each other, or post a picture that we looked fire in and we would say “Brown Skin Poppin.” When I was thinking about how I could celebrate women of color, I thought why not take my cousins and I complement each other and make it a brand that Brown woman can be proud of.
What are your goals for your company for the rest of this year?
Some goals I have set out for my brand is to do more collaboration and networking with different businesses. I think it’s important for entrepreneurs to work together and share their experiences. Another goal I have for my brand is to host an event for young girls who struggle with confidence. I want to use my brand to give back. I feel the best way to do that is to inspire and encourage young girls in my area and eventually around the world.
What inspired you to start your company?
I feel that growing up as a woman of color I wasn’t always confident in who I was or what I looked like. I remember being like 8 or 9 feeling like my skin was too brown. Even when I was constantly told I was pretty I still wouldn’t believe it because I didn’t look like what was considered pretty on TV. Historically the standard of beauty has been the more European you look the prettier you are. I wanted to create a clothing brand that could give woman of color a sense of pride. I want little girls that were like me to know that no matter if they are the darkest shade of brown to the lightest they brown skin is poppin.
Did you always want to be an entrepreneur?
I wouldn’t say that I always wanted to be entrepreneur. In my teenage years, I thought doing well in school and graduating from college would land me some great corporate job and I would be set for life. I thought that was what it took to be a so called “successful person”. I’ve worked at a lot of corporate companies, and all it did was make me feel incomplete. I wasn’t using the gifts God gave me. It just made me realize that by living this lifestyle I’m helping someone else build their dream while I lose out on mine. When I first started thinking about being an entrepreneur, I didn’t necessarily think I could be one. I’m a really quiet and shy person so I didn’t know if I was cut out to be a “Boss “ lol . It’s crazy because one day I just took a risk and started selling hats and T shirts on the weekends. I was getting a lot of sales and saw that people were really supportive of my brand. I feel like that’s what motivated me to be an entrepreneur.
Words of advice you would give to someone getting into your field
The advice I would give to someone in my field is just simply having patience. Like Nip said “ Stick to the script. It’s a marathon not a sprint.” I feel like everyone wants quick success. If you are working hard everyday building your brand you will eventually see growth and success. It is easy to get discouraged and want to quit. If you really want to see your brand become what you envisioned, you are going to have to go through some of the obstacles that come with owning your own business.
What is the message you want to deliver to people?
The message I want to deliver to people is to simply just be confident in who they are. God didn’t make any mistakes! All skin tones are beautiful. Women of color do not have to be ashamed of who they are, or change the way they look to fit into an inherited inferior standard.
How long have you been in your craft?
I have been doing graphic designs for clothing since 2015. I started when I had to do a women’s empowerment campaign for my senior capstone project at CSULA. When I saw how dope the logo I created looked on a shirt it gave me a new vision on what I could do with my degree.
Any upcoming events or releases we can include?
I recently dropped a collection called “ I Am Brown” in honor of black history month. The collection will be available on the site for the whole month of February. Also later this week I am collaborating with two dope hair stylist from San Diego for a Valentine day shoot.
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