We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Taevia Norris . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Taevia below.

Alright, Taevia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I have always been an avid reader. My love of black literature coupled with the need of representation was the foundation to the creation of Books and Brown Sugar Co. I joined bookstagram, a community of people sharing their love for reading via social media, there I found so many others like myself. I wanted to wear merchandise to show off my love for reading and the authors I enjoyed reading. When I looked for products that represented me, my culture, and our stories I didn’t see much out there. I did not see “bookish” products that I could wear in my community that resembled our stories. I remember seeing a quote by Toni Morrison that said “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” It really resonated with me. I believe that principle can be applied to anything. I felt like I could not find anything that represented my culture and my history, so I decided to create my own. I started to research how to create products, I took a class, and learned through trial and error. Shortly after the business was birthed all from a void in the community. It is one of the best things I have ever done.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am an avid reader and I channeled my love of reading to pursue entrepreneurship — amplifying black literature birthing an apparel brand. My love of black literature coupled with the need of representation was the foundation to the creation of Books and Brown Sugar Co. I am most proud when I see people in my apparel and when they are spreading the literary words of the authors I choose to amplify. There are so many African American authors who I consider to be literary icons that I feel do not get their recognization especially in school systems. I remember many of times my summer reading list lacked black authors. In creating Books and Brown Sugar Co. it allows me to spread our mission of Amplifying Black Literature.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I believe everyday you should go to sleep a little bit smarter. There are so many resources out there to help grow and expand our mind. When stepping into business I knew that I needed guidance in order to be successful. I had the vision, but no blueprint. I spent 300$ to take a class from the owner and creator of Mess in a bottle (an apparel company). It was a course to help take launch your business. It gave me the foundation to build my business. It was the best 300$ I ever spent.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the lesson of “you have to have a boss”. I never thought that I could be a woman who is her own boss. I was conditioned to think there was only one way to earn a living and that it was tied to working for someone else. I learned there is another way to live life that does not have to include a traditional 9-5 if you do not want it to. Living the life of an entrepreneur is scary, yet exciting. I do not think it is for everyone, however if it is what you want I say dive in scared and all! I realized that I can be my own boss and be successful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://booksandbrownsugarco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/booksandbrownsugar.co/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/booksandbrownsugar.co
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/booksnbrwnsugar