We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Fashae Jackson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Fashae, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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.

From the moment I found out I was pregnant with twins at 16, I was counted out. I was ridiculed and told I wasn’t going to make it. Some of my own family members were not supportive. They suggested termination, secret adoption etc. It was already known being a teen mom of one was hard, but having 2 at one time, no one believed in me. Despite the lack of support, I ended up pushing through graduating with my twin 1 year old sons right by side.

For my whole life, my purpose has always been helping others. The obstacles I faced in my teen years pushed me to turn it up a notch. I went and obtained a degree in Social Work and Drug and alcohol counseling. I currently work in the healthcare field, and I am in nursing school. I started mentoring teen moms giving them the confidence and empowerment I didn’t receive. In no way am I condoning to become a teen mom, but for the ones who are, I wanted to be that advocate. I wanted to make sure they receive all the resources they need to be the best parent possible. I knew I wanted to turn such a negative notation into something positive.

Eventually, I began expanding realizing that there is help needed everywhere. I began hosting food drives, toy drives etc. to give back to the communities using my personal funds and donations. In addition, I host fun free events throughout the year for families (trunk or treats, back to school drives). All while doing this, I picked up a hobby of extreme couponing. This hobby allowed me to be able to provide household necessities and baskets to the families I was helping at very low cost or free, which was helping bridge the gap to poverty. This is year 5 and so far, I’ve been able to help over 200 families, and around 165 children, with the dreams of expanding.

As far as how I came up with the name of the business is quite interesting. For a hefty part of time, I didn’t have a business name. I just associated on a first name basis and that’s all everyone knew. One day a person whom I considered a friend and I got into a minor debate, which ended with him expressing his true emotions. In the debate the things that stood out the most he said were “you’re a bum, you don’t have nothing going for yourself.” The word bum stood out to me so strongly. I remember saying I was going to turn that negative emotion into something worth believing in. After a few days of letting the word bum pick at my brain, I came up with BOSS’D Up MOMS (B.U.M), giving the word bum a meaningful new definition!

Moving forward, we are giving moms/ caregivers a new meaning, I never in life wanted to be a BUM until now. I’m a proud BUM, but not in a bummy way. Ima BOSS’D UP MOM, BOSS’D UP MADAME, BOSS’D UP MATRIARCH or just a BOSS PERIOD! Being a BUM isn’t just for mothers either. You can be a boss, a father, a man etc. There is nothing that can discriminate or disqualify you from getting help from my brand. I am willing to help anyone with open arms and if I cannot provide the help, I will guide you in the right direction.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

As mentioned above I am a mother first, but an entrepreneur immediately after. I currently reside in Pennsylvania. I truly believe becoming a mom is my calling, my purpose. I was put here to nurture, provide and protect. Being a mom of 4 boys ages 19. 11,11 and 5, I learned patience, respect and that my sons were given to me to close the hole of love I never received. I don’t play about my boys, and they dang sure don’t play about their mama. Outside of being a mom and a businesswoman, I’m a woman who loves traveling and writing poetry in my free time. I am very family oriented and love quality family moments. Without my support system, especially my life partner, my business wouldn’t be as successful.

Throughout my life I have made some great accomplishments. There is no better feeling than families excited for my next events or seeing children and families out, getting stopped and them saying “I remember you; you are the girl who does toy drives, or you helped me overcome this.” Additionally, I’ve volunteered my services tutoring, advocacy mentor groups, at addiction treatment centers, helping enroll patients in rehab and get connected with resources they need. My newest endeavor was being invited to lunch with the president at Community College of Allegheny County and talk to students about my success as a parenting scholar, because I was inducted in the Pittsburgh Scholar House foundation. At the luncheon I was also gifted with a certificate of achievement award for academic excellence. Each milestone, I make sure my 4 boys are present to show them to never give up on their dreams and that’s an accomplishment itself.

Some things that separate me from other businesses and brands, is that what I do is more than a hobby or about a money sign, this is a lifestyle. I strive to make the lives of people better. I am constantly learning and brainstorming ways to make more people’s lives better. The heart of mine is so big, and I want to see everyone win. From experiences, I know the impact I leave on people’s lives is huge and that means more than anyone can ever know. I don’t plan on stopping my mission until I get to the point where I have resource centers and safe spaces all over the city. Along with battling lifetime health issues, I wake up every day to make sure my purpose is purposely fulfilled!

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

I think the most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been community engagement. With everything I do, I make sure everyone feels included. I advertise, network, and get out and talk to people. There is no way you can begin to fix or help if you don’t go directly to the source and figure out where to start. I build relationships with my clients and families, outside of work proving how much they matter to me. Effective listening and communication can go a long way too. Nothing is more important than feeling like your voice is heard and your problems are answered.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

I keep in touch with clients by using effective communication. I send emails and messages to keep them up to date. Anytime I have something new or hosting an event, I make sure all clients are formally invited. I engage and communicate when in person as well. In addition, following up on social media and/or my website helps me stay in touch as well. On my website there is also a live chat, and other ways for me to be reached with a swift response!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bossdupmoms.com
• Instagram: @fashae @bossd_up_moms