Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brianna Keaton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Brianna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
At Humble Tees LA, our mission is to inspire, comfort, and encourage every individual. We aim to empower people to feel bold, confident, wise, and reassured while reflecting the encouragement and light they seek to embody daily. goal is to deliver positive, faith-filled messages that resonate in life. These messages are primarily rooted in scripture from the Bible, complemented by general words of encouragement and advice to uplift individuals any season of life.
This mission was born during a challenging period in my personal and life, marked by significant changes. In that season, I sought healthy outlets to help me navigate the difficulties without losing myself. Although I was aware of my suffering, I struggled to manage when the days became overwhelming and often was desperate for strength to continue, I searched to rise above the burdens was carrying. Having grown up attending church and learning to keep God close, I realized that the trials of my personal life had caused me to lose sight of my true purpose.
Through prayer, I found the courage to seek His wisdom by returning to my roots, reading the Bible, and re-dedicating my life to Him. During the fragility of, I knew I needed to save myself through faith. With the support of prayer, therapy, and encouragement from my village, I was able to pursue this path. While life may not have been perfect, I was determined not to be consumed by the downward spiral of depression and despair. The wisdom I gained began to dismantle the walls of my depression.
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.
Humble Tees was established to provide a solution by offering encouragement that be worn and shared any environment. The concept of designing wearable forms of positive reinforcement aims to inspire a significant shift in mentality for those who might not even realize they need it. Initially, I lacked extensive knowledge about the clothing, but I was determined to create something akin to a clothing brand and utilized the knowledge I had to get started. A pivotal moment occurred in 2016 while I was employed at Starbucks. I met and connected with a regular guest who happened to be a designer in the fashion industry, with his brand featured in major retailers. Through our interactions, we shared our passions and learning experiences, and he generously offered to mentor me. With his guidance, I would visit his business after work and observe processes—, creating, developing, managing, and more This experience was transformative, as his vast expertise, built over two decades, profoundly influenced my understanding of how to professionally introduce Humble Tees to the world and maximize the resources available to us. I chose the name “Humble because my own experiences instilled me a profound sense of humility. The significant changes and adaptations I faced in life opened doors to invaluable lessons. I had to reflect and ask myself, “Are you truly living life if you are not learning growing within it?” Humility is not a singular event; it is a way of life. It serves as a reminder to be kind to oneself and to others, acknowledging that life will inevitably present unpleasant experiences and people. To navigate these challenges effectively, one must possess the emotional tools respond appropriately. Though the journey is not easy, it is essential for growth and resilience.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Humble Tees LA has consistently adapted throughout its business journey. As times have changed so has the business, evolving in social media presence, branding, product range, and sales growth. Starting as a fledgling company, we took gradual steps to establish ourselves in a competitive market. Success was never assumed to easily. Initially, we sold t-shirts in person at a shared stand, which helped build a loyal clientele while also leveraging social media for updates and virtual sales. This approach worked well until an unfortunate partnership dissolution resulted in the loss of half our merchandise. With limited resources and no physical location, we had to reimagine our strategy and decided to transition the business entirely online. This shift allowed us to fully develop Humble Tees as a brand. Currently, we are undergoing another transformation, enhancing our branding, designs, merchandise in preparation for our 10th anniversary in 2026. This milestone represents our commitment to a fresh perspective for audience. Through years of experience, we have learned that growth is a continuous process We are grateful for the opportunity to provide exceptional, connect with incredible customers and impactful moments.
We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.
For our products, I sourced vendors who already carried merchandise and handled all the responsibilities required to build the self-made brand it has become. Initially, I partnered with one vendor who provided on-hand merchandise, enabling me to start selling. Through that partnership, I was even able to incorporate some of my designs into their collection. While the relationship worked for a time, it eventually ended, prompting us to search for a new vendor. Shortly, we found a local vendor offering quality products that became some of our bestsellers for several seasons. However, despite moving merchandise, we still had a significant amount of stock on hand, as we did not meet the forecasted goals needed to create more products. Consequently, we to pivot and partner with a new vendor. The logical and economical was to adopt a fully virtual approach using the drop-shipping method. Testing various vendors, we ultimately settled on a manufacturer that allowed us to focus on high-quality designs while they produced exceptional products. Throughout this journey, we have learned that appearance is paramount. Every detail matters—from communication to placement, design, and sales.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.humbleteesla.com
- Instagram: @humbleteesla
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Humble Tees
- Twitter: @humbleteesla
Image Credits
Image Credits: Brianna Keaton, Printful.com