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

Selena, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Owners of Define Me Greek: Shauna Harper and Selena Young

As California, Bay Area natives and proud members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, we noticed nowadays it’s hard to find stylish Greek apparel that makes a bold statement and is tailored to each organization at an affordable price. Every organization is different and every chapter is unique, so we thought about creating a way for members to stand out in a positive light. Define Me Greek is the first Greek apparel company to specialize in signature definition tees and accessories. We pride ourselves on preserving the legacy and tradition of each organization.

Owning a Define Me Greek tee is an experience! Our designs don’t generally have the sorority/fraternity letters – and that’s intentional. Because of our unique concept, people often inquire about the meaning of your shirt – giving you the chance to define who you are and what you do as an organization.

Selena, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

We are two Black female entrepreneurs from Oakland, California. We are both members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. We started our company, Define Me Greek, in 2012. It’s the first Greek apparel company to specialize in signature-definition tees and accessories. We started with $500 (individual contributions of $250 each) and grew our business to six figures. This year marks 10 years in business!

We have an extension of our brand called “Bossy Black Girl” where we support the growth of women-owned businesses by providing grants, hosting entrepreneurial workshops, sharing business tips and resources, and so much more!

We have the opportunity to create something magical! It’s very rewarding to start with an idea and bring it to fruition. We have a flexible schedule and have the opportunity to travel the world, design meaningful apparel, and give back at the same time.

We would love to expand our brand by helping aspiring entrepreneurs launch their businesses. We’re looking to invest in other companies/entities, participate in speaking engagements, and host business workshops to share our story and help others achieve their goals.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

With over a decade of entrepreneurial experience, we’ve encountered countless inquiries about our journey and business growth over the years. In the spirit of paying it forward, this year we’ve shifted our focus to support fellow Black women entrepreneurs in our community. This inspired the creation of Boss Black Girl, established in 2018 with a mission to cultivate the next generation of Black women entrepreneurs.

Our goal is to connect Black women with opportunities to start, grow, and elevate their businesses through these four pillars:

Workshops and Events
Community Spaces
Grants and Resources
Strategic Partnerships

We are excited to empower Black women entrepreneurs across the world to create thriving businesses, break barriers, and achieve their dreams!

How did you build your audience on social media?

Our social media journey began on Facebook in the early days when it was primarily a photo-sharing platform. We were pioneers in utilizing it to showcase our business even before it became a social trend. Sharing our entrepreneurial journey at conferences and events ignited overwhelming support from our followers. As we traveled to conferences around the world many of our supporters remembered us from seeing our presence on their social media feed. This is when we truly understood the power of leveraging social media as business owners. Over the years, we expanded our presence to platforms like Instagram and TikTok to reach a broader audience and we’re excited for the launch of our upcoming podcast. Our journey of growth has been marked by authenticity, relatability, and consistency.

Advice for those looking to build a social media presence: Start where you are. Be consistent in your approach to posting about your brand. Develop a content calendar so you can stay organized throughout the month. Last, be authentic. Give your followers a glimpse into who you are and take them along your entrepreneurial journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.definemegreek.com
• Instagram: @definemegreek
• Facebook: @definemegreek
• Twitter: @definemegreek

Image Credits
Photographer: Aliah Husain @aliahbrandco Photographer: Jaron McReynolds | CreativeTributes