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

Hi Anya, thanks for joining us today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

I am fortunate enough to have two loving parents who have done nothing but encourage my eccentric, rebellious spirit and vision, whether it be for Three of Swords or anything else related to my life’s path. I was lucky enough to grow up with a father who instilled a love for the strange & unusual within me (elementary school car rides were filled with Depeche Mode, The Cure, and various nu metal delights) and a mother who eventually learned to embrace my interests (largely because she has my father as her partner, so wanting to watch horror movies and read books about necromancy = old news).

There have been ups & downs, but my parents have ALWAYS taught me to follow the beat of my own drummer and truly do my own thing. They are the epitome of “if you like it, I love it.” I don’t know if Three of Swords would be as successful without my parents’ support, but I’m glad that I don’t have to find out.

*If you’re reading this as a young alternative person and your parent(s) haven’t come around yet, it can happen! My mother and I used to get into fights about owning too many black shirts, wanting to purchase a pair of Emily the Strange sneakers, watching adult vampire anime….and now she’s one of Three of Swords’ biggest supporters. Don’t give up on Mom and Dad just yet, they may surprise you!

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

I founded Three of Swords for three reasons:

1. I was constantly frustrated (and still am) when it came to the lack of racial representation displayed by prominent goth/alt clothing brands. I was tired of seeing nothing but Morticia Addams lookalikes, especially when I knew that there were countless goth/alt people of color receiving no love, no representation, and no acknowledgement. As a Black biracial woman who struggled with her own lack of representation growing up, especially within these scenes, I knew that I needed to do something to address and correct the issue.

2. I was also frustrated with the lack of comfortable, fashionable pieces offered by these brands. Now, I can break out a baddie fit when needed! But most of the time, I’m lounging around in a black crop top/black joggers ensemble. Although the trad goth aesthetic is stunning, I knew that that wasn’t the aesthetic for me. I wanted access to everyday apparel that still read as chic and alt. Essentially, I wanted to create a brand for the babes who don’t want to spend 2+ hours getting ready, but still want you to see them at Kroger and know that they love Boy Harsher.

3. I was tired of working for others! Simple, but true.

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

When it comes to growing and finding success as an entrepreneur, my best resource has always been social media! Interacting with other alternative creators, whether it’s something public like resharing each other’s posts to something private like having positive conversations in the DMs, has allowed me to thrive and feel truly welcomed as a peer. My online community and I look out for one another, and having them to rely on and confide in is priceless. If you’re a new entrepreneur, don’t just bury your head in a book or spend countless hours watching YouTube videos. Become genuine friends with other small business owners within your scene, and you will be surprised at how much they can help you.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Although my reputation is still growing, it seems to be a positive one! I think that being kind and open has allowed my customers to see me as someone they can rely on and come to, whether they want to check in on an order or simply chat with me. I often share my thoughts and opinions regarding alt/alt-adjacent things on Three of Swords’ Instagram story, and as a result, I’ve had some great conversations with customers about the new Wednesday series, visual kei, Doja Cat…you’d be surprised!

I tend to be pretty chatty when the mood strikes, so if you’re reading this, don’t hesitate to tell me what you’ve been listening to, how your cat is doing, what your new favorite film is, etc.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://threeofswordsatl.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/threeofswordsatl/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/threeofswordsatl/
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@threeofswordsatl

Image Credits
Image credits: Anya Gibson and Madeline Lenahan