Archive for fashion

Go Out with a Bang

In 2014, 22-year-old Hannah Davis sat at a table in Charlestown, North Carolina at a pop-up shop. Surrounded by small business owners, Davis hardly felt at home. She had only ever held two jobs–waitress, and English teacher and didn’t know the first thing about starting a business. What’s more, she hardly had any expertise in her product—shoes. 

Today, BANGS shoes have lighted up Instagram with aesthetic pictures of one-of-a-kind footwear. In a culture where many Gen-Zers wear one of three shoe brands (Vans, Converse, Nike), Davis saw a market for uniqueness and self-expression. With their wide variety of colors, cute embroidered patterns, and a style reminiscent of the 70s, BANGS shoes stand out from the crowd. 

BANGS shoes aren’t all about style. They strive to remain sustainable towards an increasingly environmentally conscious generation with 100% vegan materials. In addition, BANGS invests 20% of its net profits toward entrepreneurs through a non-profit platform called Kiva. They have invested in over 5,000 entrepreneurs across 74 countries including the United States. Unlike larger brands, BANGS’ small nature allows them to plug in with their customers through social media and events. Through social media contests, tags, and scavenger hunts BANGS reaches its audience in unique ways. BANGS ambassadors also host regional get-togethers for fellow brand enthusiasts to come together for crafts, games, and meet and greets. 

Hannah Davis was first inspired to start BANGS when she was teaching English in China. After seeing the green, army-style shoes worn by Chinese migrant workers and farmers, she wanted to create a shoe that represented a community. The name BANGS is from the Mandarin character 帮: bāng, or “to help”. Davis is driven by making the world a better place by nurturing a positive community and being kind towards others. Her innovation through the unique style and mission of BANGS as well as her perseverance in breaking into a market she had little knowledge of demonstrates her entrepreneurial spirit. Davis’ uncommon and expressive approach to both her product and her marketing strategy is an inspiration to entrepreneurs.

 

Read more about BANGS shoes and see their products at: https://www.bangsshoes.com/

 

Worth the World

Worth the World is a business that sells clothing and other accessories themed around mental health. The business is operated by two teenage girls who have a strong passion for and desire to help people improve their mental health. Their clothing features positive messages to help spread positivity and improve mental health. Additionally, 10% of the profits go to the JED Foundation which helps and supports teens and young adults regarding being aware of mental health and preventing suicide.

Website:  https://www.worththeworldco.com/

Here is the logo image featured on their website:

Company Logo

 

Moziah Bridges – Mo’s Bows

Mo’s Bows is one of the most successful stories of a young entrepreneur in recent years. Moziah Bridges, the founder, started the company when he was only nine years old in his grandmother’s kitchen in Memphis, Tennessee. The idea stemmed from a desire to create a fashionable accessory that was different but sharp-looking. Moziah Bridges graduated from high school in 2020 and plans to study fashion design in college. Bridges have sold more than $700,000 of bow ties and men’s accessories and his company currently has five employees including, the CEO, a.k.a mom, and Granny who taught Moziah how to sew. Mentored by Shark Tank’s Daymond Jones, Moziah Bridges continues to grow Mo’s Bows.

Mo’s Bows is now an internationally recognized business and has led to Moziah Bridges being recruited for both events and contests. Bridges were inducted into the Tennessee State Museum Costume and Textile Institute in 2014 which brought his career to new heights. He served as the fashion correspondent for the 2015 NBA draft leading to a contract in 2017 with the NBA to make custom neck-ties for all 30 teams. He has made a personal bow-tie for Obama deemed “Obama Blue”, even made an appearance on The Steve Harvey ShowThe Today ShowGood Morning America20/20CBS ​This Morning,​ Disney Channel, and Shark Tank​. Bridges’ success is not limited to the world of influence but also his partnering with companies like Cole Haan, Bloomingdale’s, the Home Shopping Network, and Neiman Marcus. 

Moziah Bridges has even turned his gaze back to his roots to help other aspiring students with his Go Mo scholarship fund. The Scholarship fund is intended to help send Memphis kids to summer camp and has sent more than 50. Bridges even has aspirations in the realm of design hoping to expand his repertoire to new designs and skills by entering into the 2021 Memphis Fashion Week Fashion Show. Even his spare time revolves around designs with things like thrift shopping, sketching, and drawing. Moziah Bridges is not just an icon in the fashion world but an inspiration to other young entrepreneurs that age is not an obstacle but an advantage to get ahead. He inspires me to go after my hunches and pursue my dreams.

 

https://mosbowsmemphis.com/shop-1/ols/all?page=3&sortOption=descend_by_created_at

 

Lauren Bush: FEEDing Millions

Lauren Bush, granddaughter of former President George W. Bush, was born in Denver, Colorado but was raised in Houston, Texas. She grew up in the spotlight, earning an internship with the NBC sitcom, Friends, and modeling. After graduating from Princeton University with a B.A. in anthropology and a certificate in photography, she signed with Elite Model Management. Although she loves modeling and fashion, her heart was pulling her in a different direction.

At the age of 26, Lauren Bush launched FEED Projects, which is a social enterprise. Emerging after Lauren traveled the world with World Food Programme, FEED believes what people choose to buy has the power to change the world. FEED offers everything from accessories to home goods, while working directly with artisans to provide sustainable lives for the partnership and families.

As of October of 2017, FEED Projects has donated over 100 million meals through their sales and fundraisers. Through her work with FEED, Lauren Bush was the first National Lady Godiva Honoree and in 2013, she accepted the Advocacy Award from the World of Children Awards. She was also named Fortune‘s 2009 Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs, the 2010 Accessories Council Humanitarian Award, 2011 Stevie Award for Best Non-Profit Executive, and named Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneurs.

Lauren Bush has impacted lives worldwide; she understood not only how to directly help feed hungry children worldwide, but how to create jobs for artisan individuals to provide an income for them and their families. She took two causes that she felt passionate about and figured out how to provide for both of them within one business.

Many young women looking to make a difference in this world can look to Lauren Bush. While incorporating her passion for fashion and feeding the hungry, she has helped to change the lives of many while being an inspiration for young, loving entrepreneurs everywhere.

Shark Tank Star Mo’s Bows

Moziah Bridges was only 12 years old when he become the CEO of his own bow tie company, Mo’s Bows. Inspired to start his company at the age of nine by his dad, who he would see dress very nice every day, Moziah asked his mom and grandmother for help on learning how to sew. This led Moziah to making his first ever hand-crafted bow tie. Believing that he had a good product, he started to sell his product online and in retail stores throughout Memphis. From there his business started to gain traction and the demand for his bow ties started to go beyond his local town, “I think the reason Mo’s Bows first caught on among consumers is the same reason it’s successful today. Every bow tie is hand crafted and made in America, and they’re all extremely colorful. There’s a lot of personality behind my line,” says Bridges. Throughout Mo’s Bows growth Moziah has stayed extremely involved in the entire process. He picks and approves all of the fabrics and patterns that go into making every bow tie. Of course everything is not solely run by him, his family helps out in every way that they can.

Mo’s Bows and Moziah Bridges become so popular that he started making TV appearances on a variety of different shows. Shows such as, the Steve Harvey Show, Today, and Good Morning America. He wanted to inform as many people as he could about the brand he was building. Things really started to explode after he made an appearance on an episode of Shark Tank in April of 2014. Moziah did not land a deal with one of the sharks but was offered mentorship by Daymond John. Moziah Bridges still is working with Daymond to help grow his business to this day, “Working with Daymond has really helped me take Mo’s Bows to the next level. He guides me through the practical aspects of running and growing a company”. Moziah’s goal is to grow into a full blown fashion line domestically and internationally. This growth has provided Mo’s Bows with amazing opportunities. These opportunities have involved being a fashion correspondent at the NBA draft and receiving an invitation to the White House where he was able to present Obama with his own blue tie.

Image result for Moziah Bridges with daymond john

The reach of Mo’s Bows company was growing, and Moziah wanted to do something good with it. This led him to start Go Mo which were bow ties where 100 percent of the proceeds went to send troubled Memphis children to summer camp in the summer. To date the charity has sent over 50 kids to summer camps in Memphis. Now Mo’s Bows has sold over $300,000 worth of bow ties and Moziah Bridges is still only in high school. Incredible!

Something Fishy

When Madison Robinson was 8 years old, she was an avid drawer of aquatic characters. She brought a picture to her father of the outline of a flip-flop with her sea animals inside of it, announcing “Look Dad, Fish-Flops!” Seeing potential in his daughter’s idea, Madison’s father went out and bought the fishflops.com domain that very day.

Madison 17 Magazine

Now 17 in high school, Madison maintains the delicate balance of a normal high school girl, and working as a fashion designer most famously known for Fish Flops. In 2012, she wrote a letter to a top Nordstrom buyer suggesting they sell her Fish Flops in-store, and they accepted with 64 stores offering Fish Flops by July 2012. The next year her product was featured in a front page article on Yahoo, and the flood of buyers began – starting with every Fish Flop in Nordstrom selling out.

Madison has been featured on shows such as The Willis Report, Fox and Friends, and Inside Edition, as well as multiple publications including Forbes. With her huge success, Image result for FISH FLOPSMadison has become a philanthropist as well as an entreprenur. A portion of every sale goes to the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s campaign, SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction). She has also donated over 20,000 Fish Flops to several charities that help people around the world who have little access to footwear.

Madison has expanded her Fish Flops line to include shoes and slippers, as well as regular T-shirts advocating for the SAFE campaign. Despite already being a millionaire, instead of kicking back and relaxing Madison constantly seeks to improve herself and help others. She frequently speaks at Jr. Achievement events, and spreads the positive message of pursuing your dreams with a “never quit attitude.” Madison is making her mark on the fashion world, with a driven and determined attitude presented with a smile.