We recently connected with Alexandria Hood and have shared our conversation below.

Alexandria, looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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.

Initially I came up with my product and company, Bus Bum, as a product for just myself. I have been taking public transit in the Los Angeles area for more than 10 years now. While riding home on the metro one day from brunch with a friend, I noticed that I had sat in something wet. Now, you’re probably wondering, why would I sit in a seat that was wet. The LA transit has fabric seats, so I could not see that the seat was wet. Gross right. When I proceeded to get up and check the said wet substance on my killer plaid skirt, it was yellow and it smelled of urine. I knew I had sat in pee. I cried out of anger and disgust and immediately thought to myself, “why is there not something portable and reusable that one can sit on to avoid situations like these!” Thus, Bus Bum was born. A portable and reusable seat cover.

I decided to expand Bus Bum to the public because I realized it wasn’t just a solution for myself. I see countless numbers of people on public transit everyday sitting on their sweaters or newspapers. I quickly realized that my product was bigger than me and would be useful to all. I was solving a huge problem. I am protecting my customers from the unknown germs we encounter on outdoor and indoor surfaces everyday.

What is so exciting to me is how my passion project has been received by friends, family and the public. It is so much more than just a portable seat cover for public transit. Bus Bum can be used anywhere you sit. It is great for travel, sporting events, concerts, beach days, camping. The list goes on! As well as compact, portable, reusable and washable. I wasn’t seeing any seat covers on the market that were compact enough to tote around or that could be used more than once. To say I am proud of my product and the purpose it serves is an understatement.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Well, first off Bus Bum is black, female and queer owned by myself, Alexandria Hood. I am a native to California and grew up in Santa Barbara, CA. I later moved to Los Angeles for Fashion school at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in downtown Los Angeles. Coming from a background of fashion, design, art and production, I knew that I could create something special. As stated in my bio on my site, silly as it may sound, while riding the bus to brunch one day I sat in pee in one of the seats and Bus Bum was born.

My Business is protecting all from the unknown germs we all encounter on indoor and outdoor surfaces daily. Whether it be commuting to work on public transit, traveling on a plane for vacation, or catching a matinee show at your local cinema, Bus Bum is here to protect you where ever you sit. It is the only portable and reusable seat cover that I have seen on the market that is compact enough to travel with you anywhere, and I am very proud of it.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I had come up with my business idea initially in 2016, but it took until 2020 to come to life. I had floated the idea around for my product, that is now my business, to countless friends and family members. They all thought it was a great idea and encouraged me to bring my product to life. I just had a big problem. I did not have the capital to fund my dream. With my background in production, I created my first sample myself. Then in 2020, the sweetest thing happened. My friends and family secretly set up a go fund me for my product and gifted it to me on my 32nd birthday. I was taken a back and beyond grateful. With this initial start up money, I began working with a coordinator immediately to create samples and source fabric and vendors. I hear this a lot too, many business’s initial funds come from their loved ones.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

I actually do have the pleasure of manufacturing my products right here in Los Angeles, California. In downtown Los Angeles through a company called, Made Goods. They’re a small up and coming manufacturer business that do a kick a*s job. I was initially introduced to this vendor by an old colleague of mine in the fashion world. I had reached out to her in 2020 to help me with the tech packs and patterns for Bus Bum. She then suggested this vendor to me as a good source to produce my product. It is nice to be able to manufacture in Los Angeles, as well as support an up and coming business as well. Networking is everything.

The number one lesson I have learned going through the process of manufacturing a product is to be patient. Problems may arise with the operators, you probably will run out of fabric and trims. There are delays, it takes time, and it’s okay. Be patient and be kind to those you are working with, we are not saving lives here.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://busbum.com/
• Instagram: @thebusbum
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Bus-Bum/100077147094221/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandria-hood-7a8017238/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhvwnEtR_t4

Image Credits
Devyn Galindo Stephanie Noritz