Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Billie Joseph. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Billie, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the decision of whether to donate a percentage of sales to an organization or cause – we’d love to hear the backstory of how you thought through this.

Slogan tees have always been one of my favorite ways to express how I feel. My designs for Melanated Vibes™ highlight the beauty, strength, and resilience of Black culture. Many are funny or sarcastic, but many also touch on the social injustices faced by so many in this country. Creating tees that raise awareness and provide people with a way to use their voices without having to say anything is powerful in and of itself, but I always want to do more. As I began offering more tees that address important social issues from racism to gun violence and threats to reproductive freedom and LGBTQIA rights, I felt that I didn’t want to just profit from these issues without giving something back. So, I created a “Shop for Change” section of my online shop where a portion of the proceeds from that collection of items is donated to nonprofit and advocacy organizations that are working hard to address issues of equality, equity, and social justice. Each item lists the organization that the money will go to so that its very clear to people what they are supporting. In addition, I donate a portion of the proceeds from my collection of items celebrating Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to organizations that support HBCU institutions and students. Melanated Vibes™ is a young brand but I’m so proud of what I’ve done so far and I’m hoping as it grows, I will be able to make significant contributions to support these important causes.

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.

My name is Billie Joseph, I’m a wife and mom of two and I’ve spent spent my career working in public relations and communications. I grew up around the fashion and retail industry – my dad had a 50-year career as a retail buyer and all my early jobs were in clothing stores. I also come from a family of creatives – artists, fashion designers, etc. My husband and I both have pretty extensive t-shirt collections, and he would always joke that we should just make our own tees and start a business. One day, I took him seriously. After doing some research, I realized that this was something I could actually do, and Melanated Vibes™ was born. My mission is to celebrate Black culture with affirming fashion pieces that inspire and empower. I create tees, hoodies, and accessories for adults, kids, and babies.

What I’m most proud of is that I’m doing something my family – particularly my kids – can be proud of. I create with my family, friends, and colleagues in mind. I get so much inspiration from the people around me.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I feel like my entire journey with Melanated Vibes™ has been one of resilience. As a wife and mom with a full-time career, starting a business was an interesting choice to say the least. In the very beginning the thrill of doing something new propelled me forward but then came a lot of self-doubt and guilt. I felt like time I was spending working on my business was time that could have been spent with my kids and money I put into the business was money that could have gone into savings. I had so many moments where I wanted to just walk away but I had come too far and invested too much. And now that I have my processes in place and things are running smoothly, I’m just grateful to have Melanated Vibes™ as a creative outlet and the opportunity to build something for me and my family.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Starting this business has made me have to unlearn my people-pleasing tendencies and learn how to be gentle with myself. With so much on my plate I’ve realized that I can’t be everything to everyone all the time. Sometimes balls are going to drop and that’s okay. I’m learning to say “no” and to prioritize my mental health. Building a business is a marathon, not a sprint and sometimes there are going to be more losses than wins. But, I love what I’m doing and I believe in my ability to grow Melanated Vibes™ into something that is not just profitable but that makes a positive impact on my community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.melanatedvibes.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopmelanatedvibes
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShopMelanatedVibes/

Image Credits
Starbrille Cooper