We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Quintesha Greene a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Quintesha, thanks for joining us today. 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.
The idea for The Little Brown Girl was born out of a very personal place—my daughter. In 2020, we were living in Oklahoma, and I noticed something that deeply unsettled me: there was very little representation of brown-skinned girls on the clothing girls were wearing and even in clothing stores. I’d take my daughter shopping or look for clothes that reflected her, and time and time again, I came up empty.
As a mother, it broke my heart to watch her grow up in a place that didn’t reflect her beauty, her brilliance, or her identity. That absence wasn’t just about clothing—it was about confidence. I wanted her to see herself and feel proud of who she was, in all her brown-skinned glory.
That emotional spark turned into action. I knew I had to create something—something bold, joyful, and unapologetically rooted in her. That’s when The Little Brown Girl was born. A brand that celebrates, uplifts, and represents brown girls everywhere.
I believed it would work because it solved a very real, very personal problem: representation. I wasn’t the only parent looking for products that made our daughters feel seen and valued. What made it unique wasn’t just the designs or messages; it was the intention. Every item carries a piece of that purpose. And honestly, what excited me most was the thought of another little brown girl lighting up when she saw something made just for her.
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?
I’m Quintesha Greene, the founder of The Little Brown Girl, a brand created to celebrate and empower brown-skinned girls through affirming apparel and accessories. I’m a proud military child—my mother, Retired Command Sergeant Major Cheryl Greene, served 32 years in the Army. Her strength and resilience helped to lay that foundation of discipline, leadership, and purpose that continues to guide me in business and in life.
I always knew I was a creator. My love for crafting began at a young age while bonding with my grandmother, Charlotte Greene. We would spend countless hours exploring different arts and crafts making things with our hands and our hearts. That creative spark stayed with me, eventually leading me to design my own t-shirts, handbags, jewelry, and more.
Fast forward, through passion and purpose I wanted to make a difference. So, rather than wait for the world to catch up, I created a brand that would center around girls like my daughter Aniyah who are bold, unapologetic, and rooted in self love.
What sets The Little Brown Girl apart is the intention behind every item. We’re not just making cute clothes; we’re filling a cultural gap. Our products reflect identity, build confidence, and send a message to every brown girl: you are seen, celebrated, and worthy.
What I’m most proud of is the impact. When parents share that their daughter finally sees herself in something she wears, or when a little girl beams with pride because she feels represented that’s when I know we’re doing something right. This brand is more than a business, it’s a movement. A love letter to our daughters and a reminder that their magic deserves the spotlight.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Building an audience on social media for The Little Brown Girl wasn’t something that happened overnight it took a lot of trial and error, consistency, and heart. In the beginning, I focused on simply sharing what mattered to me: uplifting brown girls, celebrating representation, and creating content that felt authentic to our mission. I wasn’t chasing trends I was telling stories.
What really helped me grow was staying personal and intentional. I shared behind-the-scenes moments, photos of my daughter modeling our pieces, messages about why I started the brand, and the emotions behind each design. People connect with real, and when your audience sees your heart, they’re more likely to stick around and support what you’re building.
I also learned to speak to my audience, not just at them. Whether it was through affirmations, funny mom moments, or highlighting other little brown girls in our community, I created a space that felt like a celebration, not just a shop.
My advice for anyone just starting out:
• Be consistent, but be yourself. You don’t have to post every single day, but show up regularly in a way that feels true to you.
• Don’t stress over numbers focus on connection. Ten engaged followers who care about your mission are worth more than a hundred who don’t.
• Use your story. Your “why” is your superpower share it often.
• Have fun. Social media is your brand’s personality. Let it shine.
Most importantly, remember: people support people. Show them the face, the heart, and the purpose behind the brand, and the audience will come.
How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.
I sell through my own website using Shopify. When I was ready to launch The Little Brown Girl, I knew I wanted a platform that was quick to set up, efficient to manage, and allowed me full creative control and Shopify checked all those boxes. I’m a hands-on kind of person, and the idea of being able to build and run my site myself without needing a web developer really appealed to me.
One of the biggest pros of using Shopify is the flexibility and customization it offers. I was able to design a store that truly reflects my brand from the color palette to the customer experience. It also has built-in tools for marketing, inventory, shipping, and even abandoned cart recovery, which makes it much easier to run a business day-to-day.
Another major advantage is that I own my audience and my data. Unlike platforms like Amazon or Etsy, where you’re competing for attention, Shopify lets me build real relationships with my customers.
As for cons, Shopify does come with a monthly fee and additional app costs, so it can add up over time. And while it’s beginner-friendly, there’s still a learning curve if you really want to take advantage of everything it offers.
Overall, it was the right choice for me and my business. It gave me the freedom to grow at my own pace, on my own terms, and maintain the creative integrity of my brand.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thelittlebrowngrl.com
- Instagram: @thelittlebrowngrl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelittlebrowngrl
