We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joyce Kabuya. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joyce below.

Joyce , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

The story behind my mission started when I was in high school, during a time when I was beginning to embrace my identity and express myself through my 4c hair, art, fashion, and alternating interests. One day, I made a decision: I would stop trying to fit in and embrace being myself, even if it meant standing out. At 17, I knew that I might be laughed at or perceived as weird, just like people viewed my last name. I believed in my authenticity anyway, and that I was the coolest kid ever. As an honors student, I was also (and still am) a proud nerd. Anime and gaming became my escape and inspiration. This fandom naturally translated into art, and when painting canvases started to feel boring, I decided to switch mediums and paint on denim instead. I began showcasing my talents and interests through painted jeans, wearing them to class, and people quickly took notice, requesting pieces from me. However, my knowledge and passion were often questioned because I was a feminine girl. I faced skepticism and the dreaded “Name 3 animes” question from those who believed anime wasn’t for women or doubted my gaming skills in games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, or 2K. Overcoming opinions motivated me to create “Prettygirlsluvanime”. It’s more than just a custom clothing brand; it’s a celebration of women who are unapologetically themselves. Pretty girls can have nerdy interests, be intense gamers, or love anime just as passionately as anyone else. My brand empowers women who’ve grown up being called “weird” to embrace their uniqueness and redefine what it means to be beautiful and cool—because choosing to be original is what truly makes you pretty, and stand out.

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?

From a young age, I was amused by advertisements. My family thought I was crazy, because they hate ads and always skipped them. I loved the feeling of being able to recall a brand just by seeing a clever or humorous ad and thought, ”I want to create something like that.” This passion led me to pursue advertising at the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, where I discovered my love for art direction. During my free time, I polish my 2D animation skills, and I plan and direct mock advertisements that I find interesting. While taking my first few courses, I blended my academics with my personal interests in graphic design and painting, which inspired me to launch my first digital marketing business. This creative pursuit eventually evolved into my custom denim brand, “Prettygirlsluvanime”, where I combine my skills in painting and fashion to create wearable art. What sets my work apart is my dedication to pleasing my inner child through every piece that I create. Growing up, I was teased for my love of anime, but today, I channel that passion into designs that embrace individuality and creativity. I’m most proud of my ability to push past self-doubt and take on challenging projects that I am often surprised by the results of my own talent. The biggest thing I want my followers to know is that I’m simply having fun! I’m creating for joy- literally!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In 2023, I faced a challenging operation that required a month-long recovery. Leading up to the operation, I knew that I didn’t want my business to come to a pause, so I spent weeks carefully planning and preparing over a months’ worth of graphic design, copywriting, and social media content. Even while in recovery, I stayed committed, posting consistently on schedule and maintaining engagement with my audience. During that time period, I managed to create profit while focusing on my recovery at the same time. This experience taught me that resilience is not about ignoring challenges that I face but adapting and pushing forward.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In November of 2022, I took my first step into the world of entrepreneurship by starting a drop-shipping business on TikTok. I invested in a variety of products and created daily content on both TikTok and Instagram to promote them. I quickly discovered that some products were oversaturated, others weren’t trending, and many didn’t resonate with my audience. After five months of failing, I realized that I needed to change direction. By 2023, I shifted my focus to selling eBooks instead. That was a turning point: I made my first online sale and began gaining traction. My TikTok account rapidly grew, amassing thousands of followers within a few months. I ended the year with my first four-figure profit. Today, I channel that same drive into my custom clothing and digital marketing brand, Prettygirlsluvanime. I continue to experiment creative projects by designing digital prints and practicing my marketing skills. What I’m most proud of is that I wasn’t afraid to start over and embrace failure as part of the learning process. It’s what led me to build the foundation of my creative and digital expertise today!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://prettygirlsluvanime.bigcartel.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kabuyamjoy?igsh=MWlldDJic2Uwempqcw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycekabuya?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Image Credits

Edward Porter