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

Bridget, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

To GOD Be All The Glory!!!
It began in January 2017 when my Holy Spirit moved telling me that “I” was going to feed “the less fortunate” I ignored the Holy Spirit… until June 2017, I was strongly reminded again that “I” was going to feed “the less fortunate” as I was sitting at the red light, looked up and saw a huge Bill Board stating “Space for Rent”, I called the number as soon as I got home! Felt anxious!!! and went to view the facility the next day. It was Perfect for my Feeding the Less Fortunate Vision. (Vanessa) the Owner of the rental space was impressed by my Vision and she donated, tables, chairs, utensils for FREE!!!
I paid for the rental space, which was reasonable. Then I needed a Name for this Event for flyers and invitations… and chose It’z Bigger Than Us, LLC. aka I.B.T.U., LLC was born… and We sponsored a successful FREE Food Banquet on Saturday, December 17, 2017 Time: 2 pm-9 pm.

After retiring from Corporate America in 2017 I opened up It’z Bigger Than Us VIP Gift Shop, 56-58 Central Avenue,
East Orange, New Jersey September 21, 2019 promising my business and myself to have “the BEST Gifts and Balloons and deliver VIP Excellent Customer Service with an IBTU, LLC VIP Ultimate Experience!!! .

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.

TGBATG!!! I have always been and still am a Dynamic Motivational Speaker, Proud Black Woman and a World Class Leader, a Single Mother who has raised three successful grown children, ages 40, 28, 27. My children are My Inspiration!
My Legacy. I have 8 Grandchildren who I love very much! They bring me so much JoY!!!

I Retired from Corporate America in 2017, worked 34 years in Customer Service, was a Union Steward and coordinated many successful years of Environmental Projects that earned me an Environmental Award, a free Trip to Florida…We also donated over 100,000 soda tabs to The Ronald McDonald House to help children who have Leukemia. Coordinated successful Health/Fire/Safety Fairs, Black History Month and Women’s History Month programs and events for years to remember, also worked as One of the First Female Internet Disc Jockey’s in the World, broadcasted 58 Non-Stop Hours every weekend for 13 Years on The DIVA ShowZ, decided to stop The DIVA Showz to focus on IBTU, LLC. DIVA for me represents: Divine, Inspirational, Virtuous and Anointed. I also worked as a Journalist for It’s In The SpotLight Magazine and have DIVAviewed many famous people and people from all over the world. I am known for my PowerFul VOICE with a Message and Mistress of Ceremony (MC Skills) I have MC’d many Wedding Receptions, Fashion Shows, Grown Folkz, Sweet 16’s, Birthday Parties, I can DJ too and spin on the 1&2’s.

I’ve taught Senior Citizens how to use the Internet and taught 4-5 year old children about Etiquette and Manners.
Served as a New Members Adult Teacher and Children’s Church Teacher at my Church. Presently doing Church Announcements and working with our Youth Ministry. I am a strong believer in giving and receiving Excellent Customer Service across the board. NOTE: IBTU, LLC Cause: Is Domestic Violence Awareness, please Call the 24 Hour Domestic Violence Hot Line for HELP at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) Domestic Violence is Serious!!! IBTU, LLC’s Dream is to be able to Speak in front of Millions of People about Domestic Violence Awareness. We need to talk about Domestic Violence which includes #PhysicalAbuse #VerbalAbuse #SexualAbuse #MentalAbuse #EmotionalAbuse #FinancialAbuse Men, Women and Children are affected, WE can #BreakTheCyCLe

IBTU, LLC has partnered with local churches and our community to collect donated items for years during the month of OCTOBER which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and we give the donations to local Domestic Violence Shelters.

All my above mentioned experiences are utilized in my It’z Bigger Than Us VIP Gift Shop business at 56-58 Central Avenue, East Orange, New Jersey 07018 Business Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11 am-7pm EST

IBTU,LLC recently completed a 4 Week Phenomenal Women-Women’s History Month Celebration March, 2023 that put It’z Bigger Than Us, LLC in The Essex Times Newspaper (page 24) also It’z Bigger Than Us, LLC had #IBTUMrEasterBunny visit for three days Easter Weekend which brought plenty of smiles from everyone in our community. Next event: IBTU VIP Fashion Show on 9/16/2023 3-6 pm it’s going to be LIT!!! Please Follow IBTU, LLC on our Social Media pages.

It’z Bigger Than Us VIP Gift Shop sells a variety of Unique Spiritual Items, Gifts, Balloons, Accessories, Oils, Black Art, Home Goods, Sporting Goods, JESUS area, Children Toys… Our Specialty Gift is: IBTU Creative Balloon Art-We put Teddy Bears, Silk Flowers, Candy, Toys, Clothes, Shoes, $$$Money”all “INSIDE a Balloon for all occasions.” Made with Perfection! 40 years Experience with Decorating and Coordinating. Professional Service is Guaranteed.

I am most Proud of being a single Mother who has raised three successful children and of Owning my Own Business and thanking GOD for Blessing me with a PAID in Full Building Ownership! I prayed for it and here I am approaching It’z Bigger Than Us VIP Gift Shop 4 Year Anniversary in September 2023 (No Rent) and that is when we are having our IBTU, LLC VIP Fashion Show!!!

What sets IBTU,LLC apart from others is our positive, warm, friendly, welcoming environment that always smell good!
IBTU, LLC treats all of our Customers with the Utmost Respect-We value all customers. The IBTU, LLC Brand stands firm on it’z not about me…It’z Bigger Than Us.

Next event: IBTU, LLC VIP Fashion Show for IBTU,LLC 4 Year Anniversary on Saturday, 9/16/2023 3-6 pm it’s going to be LIT!!!

Can you talk to us about your experience with buying businesses?

TGBATG! Yes, I brought my business. It’z Bigger Than Us VIP Gift Shop, 56-58 Central Avenue, East Orange, New Jersey I closed with my Lawyer on 5/2/2019. PAID in FULL!!! A HAPPY DAY!!!

Overall, It was a horrible learning experience, my gates were very old, rusty, heavy and I could not open… I prayed for access and did my research and found a Gate supplier who provides a remote control to open and close my gates on my business. I now have easy access entering and exiting my business with my automatic gates-Love my ReMote Controls!!!

It seemed like anything that could go wrong-went wrong from plumbing, electrical, permits, inspections, boot leg unlicensed Vendors/Suppliers all got on my last good half nerve! City Hall drove me BonKerz, with all their rules, zoning and different inspections. I was there a lot… I even got a headache walking up City Hall steps and everything came with expensive price tags. We had to renovate my building, lots old rubbish and Yikes!!! spider webs. Everyday was time to work long and hard hours and not give up on reaching my Grand Opening Goal Date which happened September 21, 2019-A WonderFul Day to Remember-I had my Pastor Bless my building all 4 corners, inside and out, we formed a Prayer Circle with all my guest, it was Standing room only! Great Food and Fellowship. After IBTU opened up, COVID 19 hit my business fast and hard. I was not able to open like I thought, customers did not come to support because of the Pandemic. I prayed a lot during my closed time, asking GOD for direction. My business and I were in a storm, a Big One! I knew then, like I know now, Storms don’t last for forever and prayer changes things, people and situations.

Now, that was a few of the worst parts of me buying my building… The Good part is, I Love meeting IBTU New and seasoned, repeat customers, to see them smile when I wrap their gifts, or I have a perfect gift for their need! I have learned what items sell and what items do not sell. developed great, positive business relationships with my vendors, suppliers , customers and even City Hall, my mailman/woman, delivery people and my community… I’ve learned how to use my business hour time effectively!!!

My mind is always going on what things I can do better in my business. I have great access in and out of my business with my automatic gates (Don’t have to Break a Nail) LOL! I’m always working on my people skills and ways to get customers to want and need to come to IBTU,LLC. I utilize Social Media effectively promoting my business, products and services on FB, IG, TikTok, LinkedIn & more! Google sends a lot of business to IBTU from customers searching Gift Shops or Balloons… In my Closing, we have an IBTU, LLC VIP Guest Book and have collected a few hundred of new customer emails, phone numbers and my Goal is to sort through all Guest name and send out email Blast about IBTU, LLC business ventures and to also promote sales and discounts, recognizing all holiday, birthdays,special events. My goals are to make IBTU, LLC improve in all areas, I constantly pray for guidance and increase in my territory. I Love being “My own Boss” such a Great Feeling!

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

My side hussle is: IBTU Creative Balloon Art whereas, I put a variety of Items “INSIDE a Balloon” Ex: Teddy Bears, Shoes, $$$Money$$$ I remember back in the day…during Holiday Time I created four Creative Balloon Art Balloons (2 in each hand) and walking up Main Street to sell them quickly on the spot. Then I made homemade flyers and started giving out to everybody. Word got around, I am blessed to have mastered IBTU Creative Balloon Art that are made with PerFection, having space to work effectively. Another side hussle: PersonaliIzed Umbrellas-need to start doing again…. In my Closing on side hussle: I love body oils, people always say I smell good and ask me What am I wearing? I tell them… It is my #IBTUBodyOils, and my house, business always smell good too, I started selling body oils and diffusers which are a HIT!!! Note: All of IBTU, LLC oils are all #IBTUNoseapproved My customers keep coming back for more! Just recently, I have created #IBTULotion Customers demanding more! I ordered jars and will Roll out #IBTULotion for Mother’s Day/Father’s Day…. It smells and feels soooooooooooooooo good!!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: ibtu5658
• Facebook: It’z Bigger Than Us, LLC and Ibtu ItzBigger
• Linkedin: IBTU VIP Gift Shop
• Others: TikTok: ibtu5658
• Linkedin: IBTU VIP Gift Shop
• Google Search: It’z Bigger Than Us VIP Gift Shop
• E-Mail: [email protected]
• Phone#: 973-673-IBTU (4288)