We were lucky to catch up with Sylvia Cohen-Phillips recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sylvia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I started “Gbaby” 25 years ago when my daughter Giovonnie Samuels wanted a handbag with a women of color on it to wear to the Kids Choice Awards. She was nominated for best actress for “All That” and wanted to wear something that represented her. We looked and looked but couldn’t find a handbag or anything with a women of color on it. I purchased a jean bag and painted a lady with an afro and big sunglasses. When she wore the bag, her friends ask for one. This was the beginning of a business that solve the problem of not being able to find a bag, a tee, a greeting card or anything with a beautiful women of color on it. My mission soon became “Put Black women on everything, we use everyday at an affordable price.” Gbaby art is currently on over 40 products from the first black woven tote bag created by Manual Weavers to my most popular creation the Gbaby Inspirational Planner. produce by Shades of Color. This year we celebrate the 10th year creating this planner which showcase beautiful images of black women, inspiration and a calendar fill with educational facts and health tips. Gbaby art products are currently sold across the country in gift shops, bookstores, museum stores and by entrepreneurs at festivals. Being able to produce a product that others can buy and sell to enhance their business has been a bonus that encourages me to continue to create beautiful black women art.

Sylvia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am most proud that I am one of the first artist to put black women on function-able products. Gbaby Art has created over 50 art products. When I started I couldn’t find a greeting card. I went in a store that sold business card holders with images on them. I ask if they had any with black women on them. The owner said “No.” I then ask “Why not?” The owner said “They do not exist.” This was further confirmation that I should continue the work to put black women on everything we use everyday.. Now there are greeting cards lines, tee shirts lines, black women in Target with different products. I am so excited to see the growth and what artist are doing with their art. I love going to festivals and seeing entrepreneurs selling Gbaby product line.

I feel I have been in business so many years because I have created something that speaks to black women, represents them in a positive light and encourages them to be themselves.

Gbabyart.com has art products from tote bags to cutting boards to shower curtains for sale. Our store Gbaby Gift Gallery is located in Old Town Conyers, GA. We have several products that start at $5.00 like magnets, bookmarks and journals so everyone can start their collection of Gbaby products. Our best sellers are the Gbaby Inspirational planners and the Gbaby tote bags.

“The Art of Business, The Business of Art” is a work-book I wrote for talented artist entrepreneurs who may need a little help with monetizing their art. It covers branding, marketing and finding your market. Books are available for sale on the Gbabyart.com website. I have mentored lots of artist over the years and am so excited to see them soar. Mentoring artist is my way to gift back for all of the love I have received from customers over the years.

Gbaby also sells original art on canvas and wood. Also available for workshops on the workbook “The Art of Business, The Business of Art.”

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

During covid….We had to start doing LIVES on Facebook to sell products because no one was coming to the shop we had to close it. Every Saturday Live at 5 with Gbaby became an awesome show that people would watch with their popcorn and trigger finger to purchase a piece of Gbaby. We made it into a thang. We had music, sales, my kids and husband was a part of the Live. People would say it was like watching a reality show. It was fun and help us to make it though a what could have been a hard time. During that time we learned how to print our shipping labels and order priority boxes to have delivered to us from the post office. Once we got the orders we could pack and print the labels. This is something we still do today when we get a website order then go to the post office and walk up to the counter and drop it off. Don’t have to wait in line. Now we don’t do the Lives as much but the fear of going on Live is over because we had so much practice.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

There are many ways to keep in touch with your clients. The most important thing is to make sure you capture their information when you complete a transaction with them. Email , phone number and invite them to like/follow your social media outlets. Send emails to your customers. Make sure the tagline is interesting so they will want to open the email. Once they open the email make sure it looks good, no mistakes, easy to read, colorful and interesting. Have cards or something they can take a picture of with your information on it. If you have cards or handouts make sure it represents you ie. a picture of you or your art so if they are looking at it later they can easily know it is your card.
When using social media be consistent with posting. Don’t just post this is my art buy it :) Post interactive post like you creating the art or you at a show. Invite them to participate in naming a piece of your art or give you suggestions about something you are doing. Post reels and pictures showing who you are and why you do what you do. If you don’t know how to do reels ask for help. They get more attention than pictures.
Send your good customers text. This make them feel valued. If you know their birthday sent a birthday message. If you are having a special sale/event send them an email then a text. People need to see something 7 times before it registers. So you need to put it on social media, email, text, hand out a flyer, put on event brite, ads, and make a call :)
Your products, packaging and marketing must be consistent and represent your brand in a positive light, Always do your best and present yourself with excellence.

Contact Info:

• Website: Gbabyart.com
• Instagram: Gbabyart
• Facebook: Sylvia Gbaby Phillips