Claima Stories with Bimma: Recent Episodes
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Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
With infinite pride and hunger, Raven or RavieB comes from the Bronx and she always comes to represent herself and the individuals she captures with her lens of choice. Though Raven dabbled in many different fields, when she picked up a camera, she felt at home and instantly knew photography was the career she wanted to pursue.
Now, Raven, who has taken your favorite photo of Jay Z, Adele, Big Sean, Lebron, Damson Idris and countless others - didn’t take the easy route to arrive where she is today. Raven had to truly learn the power of no and the myriad of doors that would open for the livelihood of herself and her now deceased mother. Raven has already made history capturing iconic cultural moments that will live on forever.
It sounds cliche but if you ask her, that’s only the half of it.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliams
Born in Toronto to Indo-Guyanese parents, Hema was taught the value of good work ethic. Regardless of what she’s into, she’s always going to do it at 110%.
Hema found herself constantly chasing fulfillment throughout her many professions, whether that was being a successful lawyer, morphing into an A-list stylist for the likes of Madonna to Andy Samberg, or interior design, Hema was going to figure it out.
The biggest lesson in her journey would come from a book that empowered her to be still, wait, and let the answers reveal themselves. And though that approach may sound unorthodox to some, Hema would argue it was life-changing.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliams
We've made it to our 100th episode!! A definite milestone for the Claima Stories Family! And we're doing it with none other than whom GQ Magazine has crowned them Streetwear’s First Family. Chris Gibbs, owner of Union LA and his partner Beth Birkett Gibbs, owner of Bephie’s Beauty Supply, film director, and creative collaborator with Chris amongst many other forms of storytelling. Yes, this is streetwear’s first family and they are so much more. As we discussed the evolution of streetwear, what it’s like seeing the world through the eyes of their two boys, the pros and cons of LA and NYC, the algorithms of social media, and the value of community; growth at every level for this couple comes with grace and they’re navigating it as only a first family would.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliams
Being a glass half-full type of creative and entrepreneur has allowed today's guest, Humberto Leon, to build a vibrant career. In the 70’s Humberto and his family Immigrated to LA where he would fall in love with fashion and often find himself in the aisles of thrift stores mining for just the right pieces. Fast forward to a storied career in the industry, Humberto and his friend Carol Lim decided to step out on their own launching Opening Ceremony. A place where they would bring all their intersections of culture into one space. In our conversation ahead, we chat about Humberto's time at Opening Ceremony and his newer ventures into the food industry with his family. One thing remains true whether he's serving food or fashion, that feeling of being welcomed is at the forefront of anything Humberto touches.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliams
Not many creatives have the opportunity to come out with two films in one year but with remakes of cult classics like White Men Can’t Jump and House Party but today's guest, Calmatic, did just that. Calmatic proudly grew up as your quintessential Black nerd, creating flyers, making beats, designing album covers and capturing memorable moments for LA’s finest. As he continues to create, he’s ready to tell his own stories and trust me, he could care less about the rotten tomato reviews. We're ready to dive into this Grammy award winning director's career journey and his approach to language, references and representation.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliams
They say your twenties are meant for self-discovery and today's guest, Manila Mixtape, can attest to that. After a career in fashion bouncing from celebrity styling to merchandising to retail, Manila decided to walk away from it all. Knowing he needed a real break from that world, he moved back to NYC to become a truck driver. Serendipitously, his first assignment was to a fabrication studio. He’d work at the studio doing build outs for Vogue, Louis Vuitton and more. It was at the fabrication studio, Manila made his first mirror. In our chat ahead, we talk about his creative journey, taking the negatives with the positives to rebuild and launch his art as @ManilaMixtape.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliams
And watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
If you asked today's guest, Shequeita Frazier, if she would be a Co-Founder of an outdoors brand, she probably would've laughed. Though she grew up playing outside all the time, Shequeita distinctly remembers avoiding the woods. It wasn't until meeting her husband who would go on regular camping trips and moving to Portland did she fully understand the impact of the outdoors. Between the pandemic, protests and needing to find solace...a trip to Montana is what ultimately led the duo to creating Camp Yoshi. Founded in 2020, Camp Yoshi is an experience brand that has democratized the outdoors curating unique adventures that make it easy for you to get outside and leave the fear of the unknown behind.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliams
And watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
A Chicago native, Autumn Merritt, has been a boss since she was a teenager, from managing a coffee shop to running a streetwear store...getting the job done with quality and intention was always her priority. In 2007, Autumn opened up a boutique with her husband originally named Solemates (now Sir & Madame). And that's just the start of her journey, in our episode ahead we chat about being a business partner with your spouse, collaborations, moving cities, her new role as the Head of membership for Soho House, Cities Without Houses North America all while being a mom of 3 and never forgetting who Autumn the person is.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliams
And watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
Today’s guest, Telsha Anderson-Boone, knew pretty early on in her career that she wanted to be her own boss and that fashion would play a major factor. While figuring out what that business would be, Telsha worked just about everywhere from Hypebeast to Food and Wine, and even stopping at Atlantic Records for a stint. While she was tapped into the world culturally, all that would go into creating T.A. In 2020, Telsha had plans to open the T.A. brick-and-mortar shop, but like most plans in 2020, covid changed everything. But let's hear her tell it.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliams
And watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
With parents that battled addiction, today’s guest Kiauna “Kee” Nelson, was always an independent kid. Her life took multiple turns from spending time in a gang to a short jail stint. Ultimately, Kee knew she wanted more than that life. At 31, Kee enrolled with college with ambitions of opening a food cart. With the help of little herbal refreshment, the #Loaded menus were born. A hustler by nature, she was selling plates out of her apartment before she got the truck. Tune in to hear a more about Kee and her journey to opening Kee's #Loaded Kitchen all while being unapologetically herself.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliams
Shop Claim A Seat product collaboration with MiiR at www.claimastories.com. $5 of every product sold will benefit our non-profit partner, All Hands Raised.
And watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
A lifelong lover of museums, Kimberly Drew's entry into the working world of art started with creating a Tumblr page dedicated to Black art and culture called Black Contemporary Art. The page immediately took off and helped her land a social media manager gig at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Entering the space through her digital experience helped Kimberly fulfill her goal of bringing art to a wider audience, reinvigorating and diversifying the MET's digital presence. After leaving her post at the MET, she decided to focus on the intersection of art and commerce eventually releasing her own book, This is What I Know About Art and co-authoring Black Futures. Today, Kimberly continues her work as an author while also being the curator at world reknown Pace Gallery.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliams
And watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
Growing up in a traditional Ethiopian household while living in California, Meymuna Hussein-Cattan often found herself balancing many identities. From coaching friends on what to expect when they came over to her home to compartmentalizing her worlds and finding solace through writing poetry. She eventually took all those identities and found her purpose running the Tiyya Foundation, a non-profit she founded with her mom now providing economic and educational opportunities for families of refugees, immigrants, and indigenous communities. As her work with Tiyya grew, she was inspired to create connection to that work through a culinary lens. Today, Meymuna owns Flavors from Afar, a restaurant concept that pairs a different refugee/asylum seeker each month with their head chef to create an authentic, restaurant quality menu focused on bringing traditional cultural dishes to the public. Flavors from Afar received a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2022 and has been named LA Times' 101 Best Restaurants in LA for the last two years.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliams
And watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
Our guest today picked up her first camera at the age of 14 and has worked in the world of photography ever since. Intisar Abioto, grew up in Memphis surrounded by Black art and found her path towards storytelling through taking images with Black women as the lead. Eventually making her way to Portland, she launched the Black Portlander project in 2013 and saw the impact it had on the local community. This project ultimately taught her the business of making art and using her art to celebrate the history and presence of Black life in the city of Portland. Today, Intisar identifies as an explorer-artist working across photography, dance, and writing. With the five women artists in her family, she is the Co-Founder of Studio Abioto, a multivalent creative arts studio. Her work has been featured in the Rolling Stone and New York Times.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliams
And watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
An immigrant from Seoul, Korea who moved to California at the age of 12. Duk-Ki Yu, owner of MAJOR was and will forever be a lover, advocate, and participant in the advancement of hip-hop culture.
Duk-Ki Yu is the epitome of an 80s baby and as he navigated his way through his adolescent years living between the cultural traditions of his origins and the cultural currency and influence of hip-hop, it makes total sense that Duk-ki would find his footing through sneaker culture. He would go on to own his own record store at the age of 16, work with the likes of Diddy formerly known as Puffy Combs, Arrested Development, and foster business partnerships with brands such as Reebok, Adidas, Nike, New Era and EA Sports. It's safe to say, Duk-Ki Yu is one of the most known unknowns but if there was a major moment Duk-Ki was there, had a hand in the implementation of that moment or was in close proximity to bear witness and tell the story. Grounded in Washington, D.C. Duk-Ki has made a home for sneaker lovers in the District and abroad in a Major way.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliams
And watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping
A lifelong student of hip-hop, Jabari always knew he wanted to work in the music industry specifically on the media side. While at Howard he started interviewing artists for a website including Fabolous, Nicki Minaj, and Justin Bieber, early in their careers. After working in social media at Capitol Records, the itch to create something of his own still remained. He decided to dive deep into the world of live music experiences, taking a page from the EDM world to create something for his culture at the forefront. Enter R&B ONLY LIVE, a one-of-kind music event that combines a DJ and Host to give you the ultimate R&B genre experience. Today, Jabari is the Founder and CEO of COLORS Worldwide with R&B ONLY as one of its flagship brands bringing together thousands of people in 50+ cities across the country.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliams
And watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
Growing up on a farm in Mexico is where Jessica Monzalvo's story started. That deep connection to being on native land and watching family care for each other inspired her future. As Jessica shifted into her entrepreneurship journey, helping others with their self-care would be at the center of her work. This deep passion drove her to New York become a professional make-up artist landing the Victoria's Secret fashion show as her first gig. Fast forward to the pandemic, Jessica's thriving career took an unexpected turn and she decided to make her mark in a different way. As the Founder of SBJ Esntls, a beauty brand rooted in her Mexican heritage, Jessica makes sure self-care is at the forefront in every product they release. The brand has been featured in publications like Vogue, Marie Claire, and Byrdie.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliams
And watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
If you ask today’s guests Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper, golf has always been a great game. The two met as teammates on the Morehouse College golf team where they won a National Championship and then remained friends as their lives ran parallel in different career fields. But the game always remained in Olajuwon’s heart and as a lover of design he wanted combine the two. So, he created the infamous swingman logo and put it on a shirt initially for himself which turned into shipping 3,000 orders from his home. As they say, the rest is history. Earl saw the vision and knew he had to join the mission. Today, Olajuwon and Earl are the Founders of Eastside Golf a golf apparel brand for the culture that is rooted in authenticity. They’ve gone to work with some of your favorite brands, including golf enthusiast and GOAT Michael Jordan.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliams
And watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
Imagine making your childhood dreams come true - working in television, living in NYC, becoming a VP at NBC Universal…all by your 30s and then what? After all those accomplishments, Imani Ellis was still in search of something bigger and more connected. As a self-proclaimed introvert, she held a dinner party for young creatives of color that planted the seed for her next business idea. Imani’s dinner party went from 20 guests to an astonishing 300-person event in a month…creating a movement. Today, Imani is the Founder CEO and Founder of CultureCon and The Creative Collective where she focuses on curating safe spaces for people of color, their marquee conference serves as “the ultimate creative homecoming.”
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliams
And watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
Writing is something that always came naturally to Lynae, but becoming gifted storyteller is how she found her true purpose. After a full-ride at Spelman College, Lynae wasn't clear on her career path so she went on to teach high schoolers and create a Black studies curriculum. Inspiration set in during the protests of June 2020 where she wanted to make difference in her own way, with words and education, launching a viral series called Parking Lot Pimpin'. Today, Lynae owns From The Lot, a business focused on her various creative pursuits collaborating with various brands such as Meta, Target, Revolt, Tommy Hilfiger, and Netflix, to name a few.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliams
And watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
A diagnosis of Crohn's disease didn't derail the path to becoming a chef for Douglass. His approach to food was only heightened by having to chew each morsel 30 times, focusing on the feel, texture and taste of each bite. After working in world renowned kitchens, Douglass made building a community and creating a lasting legacy the focus of how he approaches being one of the few Black chef-owned restaurants in Boston. Today, Douglass is a two-time James Beard Award nominee as the Head Chef and Owner of MIDA with sights on expanding his empire to other metropolitan cities.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliams
And watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
Growing up in foster care, early childhood was anything but ordinary for Essie. Transitioning from different homes until she was the age of 6, Essie was luckily adopted by a family that poured into her and was the first successful Black family she ever saw. Essie started to step into her confidence after attending a HBCU, but that high she was riding on was short lived after she flunked out of school. Trying to find her purpose, Essie decided to move to NY where she immediately felt like she had found her place seeing plus sized models inspiring her to pursue a career in fashion. Instagram became the perfect place for Essie to garner attention and become a source of inspiration for plus sized women. She launched her blog Golden Confidence, a cornerstone of the Body Positivity movement and later created of the sneaker community, Thick Laces. Today, Essie continues to make it her business to not only take up space in fashion but make space for other women who look like her working on campaigns for brands like New Balance, Torrid, Amazon and more.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, James Whitner and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories @bimmawilliams.
And watch us on Youtube powered by Vista
Since he was a youngin, Daniel has always been about community and having the back of his homies and loved ones. When he was only 18, his sister unexpectedly passed away and it sent Daniel into a very dark place of rage. He started getting in trouble a lot and was even arrested for silly things like trespassing. After making a promise to himself to never go back to jail, Daniel would shift into social work and help kids who grew up like him in Brooklyn. From there, Daniel ended up moving around a bit, ultimately landing in LA where he was given a job as a tour stylist for Kehlani after his initial gig fell through. Inspired by the grind and seeing the world, Daniel later decided to set out on his own entrepreneurial path. He and his business partner Wehleh didn’t know exactly what they wanted to do, but they had the name Kids of Immigrants. Soon, they would be inspired to translate their vision to clothing. Kids of Immigrants officially launched in 2016. Daniel and his brand live through their purpose of supporting your friends, spreading positivity, and making your wildest dreams come true every single day.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, James Whitner and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories @bimmawilliams.
And watch us on Youtube powered by Vista
Being surrounded by Black Excellence in and outside of her home, Karleen grew up with the confidence that she could do whatever she put her mind to. Making her way to Howard and working in a myriad of jobs post-college, one thing always rang true...Karleen approached every opportunity with excitement and resourcefulness. This work ethic got her noticed and she finally received a break getting into the entertainment space working at Def Jam. From there, she went on to Bad Boy Records to personally serve as Diddy's Senior Executive Assistant. Having a front row seat into the inner workings of everything Mr. Combs was involved in was all the fuel she needed to ultimately step out on her own and claim that entrepreneur title. In 2013, Karleen took her side hustle of planning events to the next level and officially launched The Vanity Group. Fast forward to today, the agency has been a go-to shop for Hollywood's biggest names and Karleen has carved a space for herself as an on-camera personality, lifestyle and event expert.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, James Whitner and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories @bimmawilliams
And watch us on Youtube powered by Vista
Hailing from Chi-town Terrence and Brandon dove immediately into the DC night scene when meeting at Howard University. Brandon found a knack with throwing parties and actually went on to hire his now business partner, Terrence to help him out. When both were finished with school, Brandon worked in hospitality and Terrence was going door to door as point of sales salesman but the discomfort of code switching got to be too much. What started off as a curiosity in wine ultimately led to an intense focus on Terrence wanting to create his own premium wine brand. It was a no-brainer to bring his friend Brandon into his mix given his hospitality and operations background. The need to be 100% themselves and their love of liquor and spirits would set them on a path that many people who look like them don't always find.
Launched in 2020, Michael Lavelle Wines is a black-owned premium wine label (one of the few in this space). Today, the guys alongside their two other business partners, Aaron and Devin, are proud to own a brand fused with art, education, and most importantly, unmatched wine experiences.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, James Whitner and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories @bimmawilliams
And watch us on Youtube powered by Vista
Going to a predominantly white college, Sandro quickly learned that other peoples worlds weren't as colorful as where he grew up. The lack of representation combined with his Filipino upbringing made Sandro competitive and he initially jumped into traditional career fields. None, however, felt quite right until he fell into the world of entrepreneurship...more specifically Sandro started noticing the seltzer water boom. At the same time, the Asian food scene was bumping and he knew he wanted to find a way to combine the two to complement each other. While balancing his day job, Sandro launched Sanzo Sparkling Water...he ultimately went all in and grew the business 600% during the pandemic. Today, Sandro has raised over $10 million in funding and has since partnered with Whole Foods and brands like Marvel on Asian-inspired sparkling water combos featuring ingredients like lychee and yuzu.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, James Whitner and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories @bimmawilliams
And watch us on Youtube powered by Vista
A naturally curious person, Sonja has held many different careers before arriving to where she is today. From writing as an editor in tech to becoming an interior design expert on TLC's show Trading Spaces. When she found herself suddently unemployeed, Sonja used the unexpected break to dive headfirst into politics to help register voters during Obama's first run for president. While campaigning in Los Angeles, she discovered different local businesses and makers that could use some help. A storyteller at heart, Sonja wanted to bring attention to these wonderful local makers...this ultimately led to the idea of her unique markets business where shoppers would pay to get access to these goods. Today, Sonja continues her mission of lifting up communities and has successfully kept Unique Markets on the map for over 14 years.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, James Whitner and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories @bimmawilliams
And watch us on Youtube powered by Vista
Growing up art wasn't just art, it was a way of life in the home Maggi grew up in. She loved to make things from candles to her own pants. Looking to escape Portland, Maggi enrolled in college in LA but dropped out shortly after. She started to work for a woman who had her own jewelry line. It was an eye opening experience for Maggi. Both good and bad. She was immediately promoted to designer, but maintained the same pay. And while she was still struggling financially, her designs would end up in Nordstrom. Recognizing how few Black women were represented in the jeweler space, Maggi took a leap of faith and launched her own business. Through workshops and trunk shows, she was able to build her network and land her first engagement ring commission. Today, Maggi Simpkins' jewelry is known for narrative-driven engagement rings and future family heirlooms. In 2021, she designed a bespoke ring valued at a million dollars for the Brillant & Black exhibition for Sotheby's auction house.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, James Whitner and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories @bimmawilliams
And watch us on Youtube powered by Vista
Feeling profoundly misunderstood during her adolescent years, Heather realized early in her career she had a knack for building community for the misfits. A job at Karmaloop brought Heather into the streetwear world, where she learned that work culture could be fun, but understanding work politics was just as important. She eventually moved on to working in marketing for brands like Puma and New Balance. Being in the sneaker industry, Heather regularly attended fitness classics but often left annoyed at the dull music and energy. She saw an opportunity to make working out a little more lit. Today, Heather is the Founder & CEO of TrillFit, a purpose-driven wellness business changing the face of boutique fitness with studios in Boston and Brooklyn.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, James Whitner and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories @bimmawilliams
And watch us on Youtube powered by Vista
A self proclaimed, “underground designer” Dan’s journey began in 1980, when he started making bootleg versions of high-end designers for the streets. He’d even buy left behind equipment at auctions supplied by fashion manufacturers that moved overseas. Although Dan felt like he was fashion’s best kept secret, more affluent Black communities didn’t connect with what he was doing. But that didn’t stop the gangsters, rappers, and athletes from coming through for Dan’s styling services. He's been in the game for over 40 years now, priding himself on translating the culture to high fashion.
Today, Dan is focused on working with more accessible brands in order to engage with a larger community. His collaboration with Puma is set to launch this month (Oct 28)which even includes a sneaker…a first for Dan.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, James Whitner and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories @bimmawilliams
And watch us on Youtube powered by Vista
Sick of the stale fluorescent lights of the corporate world, Brittany started to Uber and used that money to travel to Nicaragua and Guatemala where she gained a whole new perspective and love for her culture. When she returned to LA, targeted immigration policies were running rampant, her pride turned to anger and Brittany put her boots to the ground protesting. Wanting to do more, she started promoting Latinx businesses online and that was the beginning of her journey to create Shop Latinx. Today, Brittany has grown Shop Latinx exponentially and raised 1 million dollars in venture capital in just three months...she continues to forge a path for women who look like her all while growing her shop.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, James Whitner and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories @bimmawilliams
And watch us on Youtube powered by Vista
Originally drawn to baking, Alex's journey to becoming a Home Chef and Food Blogger started in her mom's kitchen where she felt most comfortable expressing both sides of her Black and Puerto Rican heritage. While she loved baking, her dslexia proved to make the precise measurements very difficult. Alex made the pivot to focus on savory cuisine and never looked back. With a career in PR and marketing, Alex took the leap to go full-time into the food content creator world during the pandemic finding a lot of success online with her blog Just Add Hot Sauce. Today, Alex runs her succesful blog, a YouTube channel filled with cooking videos, Instagram, and her newsletter where she connects with her audience showcasing her personal story through food.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, James Whitner and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories @bimmawilliams
And watch us on Youtube powered by Vista
From making t-shirts in his granny's kitchen to opening up the first black-owned streetwear shop on Fairfax in LA, Gavin knew early on that his connection to being creative ran deep. While that first shop, YOUth, eventually closed...Gavin started making hats and giving them out to people not worried about making money. The more hats Gavin gave out, the more they would end up in the most unlikely places, including on Chad Hugo of the Neptunes and Aleali May. This ultimately led to the creation of Supervsn, a brand dedicated to putting out good energy. Today, Gavin’s curiosity continues to lead to new opportunities and new education. Including his latest collaboration with PacSun, a portion of sales will go to the STUDIOinitiative, whose mission is creative wellness, mentorship, and inspiring the future of young creatives.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, James Whitner and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories @bimmawilliams
And watch us on Youtube powered by Vista
A job delivering groceries at the first Whole Foods location in NYC ignited Peter's curiosity in food. He eventually started to look into enrolling at culinary school which came with a hefty price tag. Heeding a friend's advice to skip school and learn on the job, Peter walked into The Spotted Pig and asked for just that. He started at the bottom and for 10 years, Peter worked on the craft of cooking. As Peter ascended in his professional life, he met his wife, Sun, who opened his eyes to more of the richness of Korean culture and food. After 13 years in New York, he moved back across the country to Portland, Oregon to be closer to family. Today, Peter is the Owner and Chef of two very popular Asian eateries in Portland, Han Oak and Toki.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, James Whitner and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories @bimmawilliams
And watch us on Youtube powered by Vista
On this week's episode, we sat down with Cristina Martinez (@sew_trill), a contemporary visual artist based in Seattle. Being an artist was something Cristina gravitated towards from early childhood - from watching Bob Ross on PBS to getting resourceful with art supplies (like using lasagna noodles as a canvas). It was during her young adult life that art went beyond her passion and became her focus; she is now living her truth creating in new ways every day. Inspired by her Black and Mexican heritage, her inheritance of feminine power, resilience, sisterhood, growth, and blooming is exhibited in all of her works of art. In 2022, Cristina unveiled her latest Nordstrom pop-up collection fusing together her unique art and fashion background.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, James Whitner and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories @bimmawilliams
And watch us on Youtube powered by Vista
A serial entrepreneur, Sevetri Wilson started her first business while attending Louisiana State University, a newsletter, using her community as a resource to help her get things going. After college, at the age of 22, she founded Solid Ground Innovations, a full service strategic communications and management firm. As a self-proclaimed bootstrapper, she decided to take the next step in her journey to turn SGI into a scaleable platform by setting her sights on transforming the nonprofit sector through technology. As the Founder and CEO of Resilia, Sevetri has successfully raised millions of dollars in funding while being a changemaker in her community and beyond.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, James Whitner and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories @bimmawilliams
And watch us on Youtube powered by Vista
After moving around the world as a kid, IB quickly fell in love with hip hop and basketball when his family ultimately settled in Queens, NY. It was that love of basketball that would lead him to meet his best friend and business partner J.Cole. Hooping with Cole at St.John’s University, led to them building a bond that would lead to IB encouraging the young rapper to pursue music, so they put together a mixtape. That mixtape was The Come Up. As the music started to catch fire amongst the blog scene, they named themselves Dreamville. In 2007, IB and J.Cole founded their own record label, Dreamville Records with the vision of making sure everyone felt like family.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, James Whitner and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories @bimmawilliams
And watch us on Youtube powered by Vista
With dreams of being a rockstar, Cheetie realized at a young age she didn’t quite fit in. Moving from India to the Bronx as a kid, Cheetie struggled to figure out what she wanted to do with her life. As she got older, two things really came into focus: Music and Food. While on the road touring as a guitarist Cheetie fell in love with Raleigh, and saw that the city was an opportunity to bring her love of those two things together. Today, Cheetie is the Head Chef/Owner of Garland and nominated for multiple James Beard Awards. She is also the co-owner of KINGs, an indie music venue and adjoining cocktail bar, Neptune’s Parlour while playing guitarist in her band, Birds of Avalon.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, James Whitner and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories @bimmawilliams
And watch us on Youtube powered by Vista
In searching for the thing he could truly call his own, Julian aka JuWorkingOnProjects, found that art was his calling. While working as a brand ambassador for Jordan Brand’s store in Chicago, Ju noticed an opportunity to create custom pieces of apparel that ultimately led to impressing artists like Teyana Taylor with his work. In a lot of Ju’s paintings, he offers his perspective on the experience of Black folks in America. Some experiences are great and others not so good. Inspired by his own racist encounter while sipping a cup of coffee and admiring his own vehicle, Ju went on to create a series of paintings called the Karen’s that would end up on the cover of New York Mag. In our conversation, Ju shares how being an East Sider in Chicago shaped him into the highly sought after artist he is today.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, James Whitner and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories @bimmawilliams
And watch us on Youtube powered by Vista
Inspired by the need to fight the racial disparity in the healthcare system after losing her father to a heart disease he wasn't aware of, Cydnie started educating herself on ways to boost immune systems and how to use food as part of preventative healthcare. With no true business motivations in mind, she started making juices for herself at home and then sharing the process on instagram. To her surprise, people wanted to purchase what she was making and Cydnie realized she had something special. In 2020, Cydnie Smith McCarthy founded Drink Mamey, a cold press juice, health, and wellness company.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, James Whitner and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories @bimmawilliams
And watch us on Youtube powered by Vista
Hailing from an immigrant family, Trinidad realized early on that he was a hustler, selling everything from Pokemon cards to pictures of Super Sayains as a kid. But it was fashion and his unique personal style that would take him on a journey of owning his own store and eventually building a name for himself. Today, Trinidad James is the founder of streetwear brand Hommework and novel sock brand DAD Socks, where he focuses on selling his community confidence not clothes.
Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses.
From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, James Whitner and more.
Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories @bimmawilliams
And watch us on Youtube powered by Vista
José shares a story about creating meaningful, high quality dishes that are accessible to his community, all with a refreshing new look.
That was José Leon, Owner of Kiss Pollos based in Phoenix, AZ.
The Claima Stories with Bimma: Community Stories series is presented by 99designs by Vistaprint, as part of the 99 Days of Design initiative.
Learn more at
99designs.com/99daysofdesign
On today’s show, recorded at ComplexCon in Long Beach, California,we speak with former Nike designer, lecturer, and youth advocate Jason Mayden. Born on the Southside of Chicago, he almost died At the age of 7 due to a blood condition. While in the hospital he was inspired by comic book inventor and Batfamily member Lucius Fox, then deciding he wanted to get into engineering. By the second grade, he faced more challenges being misdiagnosed with ADHD/ADD but was actually on the spectrum.
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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On today’s show, recorded live at ComplexCon in Long Beach, California, we speak with Woodie White, Founder of Oyster Holdings - a brand for everyday enthusiasts based in Los Angeles, CA. Woodie cut his teeth as a promoter, throwing parties and doing his fair share of street team activations.
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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On today's show, recorded live at ComplexCon in Long Beach, California, I speak with emerging designer John Okevu Ojo II of apparel brand Little Africa. Growing up in South Central, John grew up splitting time between his Black American mother and Nigerian father, oftentimes feeling as if he sat between two worlds.
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Woodie White shares story about relating to the everyday enthusiast with Oyster Holdings
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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John Okevu Ojo II shares story about researching the architecture behind some of his favorite brands
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
Jason Mayden shares story about how growing up in Chicago strengthened his work ethic
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
On today's show, recorded live at Claima Stories: Feast Portland edition, we speak with chef and entrepreneur Jewan Manuel, also known as Plant Based Papi. Growing up in Flint, Michigan Jewan witnessed black entrepreneurship first hand as his grandparents owned a grocery store that supported their community.
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
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Jewan Manuel shares story about how women uplifted his passion for cooking
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
On today’s show, recorded live at Claima Stories: Feast Portland edition, we meet Farrah Jesani, owner of One Stripe Chai. Born and raised in Georgia, Farrah is first generation Indian-American in a family of entrepreneurs. Her dad owned an accounting firm, while her mother ran a cafe that their family owned. As she headed off to college, Farrah was drawn to Art History but was deterred because of a lack of representation in the art world. So, instead she decided to study accounting, following in her fathers footsteps. But she learned pretty quickly that accounting wasn’t for her and changed her major to business.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
Kai shares a story about transforming and rebuilding community through sustainable plant based ice cream and restorative local food production practices, all with a vibrant fresh look.
That was Kai Nortey, Owner of Kubé Ice Cream based in Oakland, CA.
The Claima Stories with Bimma: Community Stories series is presented by 99designs by Vistaprint, as part of the 99 Days of Design initiative.
Learn more at
99designs.com/99daysofdesign
Farah Jesani shares story about her parents encouraging an entrepreneurial path
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
On today’s show, recorded live at Claima Stories: Feast Portland edition, we chat with Tiquette Bramlett, President at Vidon Vineyards, who is the first Black woman in the states hired to run a winery, but her journey starts growing up in the Bay area in an interracial family.
Everyday was an adventure for her, especially when her family would hop in the car and head all over California. One area specifically was Central California, where her mother loved the wine. An inquisitive child, Tiquette always wanted to know why her mom loved wine, and showed an interest in the field at a really young age.
She’d go on to study opera but after a health scare, she made a course correction and pursued a career in wine. While navigating wine as a Black woman, she received a lot of mentorship from winemakers like Bertony Faustin of Abbey Creek Wine. This sort of mentorship guided her rise in the industry, recently putting her in a position to become the President of Vidon Vineyards.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
Tiquette Bramlett shares story about becoming knowledgeable of wine through tastings.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
On today's show, recorded live at Claima Stories: Feast Portland edition, I speak with Megan Sanchez, Chef and Co-Owner of Guero. Megan grew up admiring her grandmother, who was a hustler, moving to the States with 5 kids and working in restaurants. She never had a master plan, but she walked through every door opened for her. Eventually becoming a landlord. Now, this isn't about Megan's grandmother. But let's just say the apple's apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. Megan moved to France after college to teach English but soon after gravitated towards food. Especially cheese. When she returned to the states, she'd work at Shelburne Farms in Vermont, where she'd become a cheesemonger.
But it was when she met her business partner Alec, that she would begin to go down a more entrepreneurial path. While selling food out of his apartment, Megan decided to turn his kitchen into a restaurant. They would go on to create a flourishing bicycle taco delivery service. With some naive confidence, Megan and Alec packed up their bags to sell tacos in Portland and eventually sold Tortas. business was booming, and they transitioned from a food truck to a restaurant space called Guero. When recalling how she ended up down this path, Megan shares a story about the impact of her Grandmother on her life today.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
Megan Sanchez shares story about being optimistic when starting a restaurant
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
On today’s show, recorded live at Claima Stories: Feast Portland edition, I sit with Chef Diane Lam, the creative force behind Prey + Tell, a Cambodian fried chicken spot in Portland, OR. Born and raised in LA. Diane was able to figure out parts of her confusing heritage by the food she ate, which gave her an understanding of her family history. While closely watching her grandmother’s cooking when she was younger, Diane always knew she wanted to work in hospitality, but was unsure if she wanted to cook Cambodian food professionally.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
Diane Lam shares story about flipping her family heritage into culture hub restaurants
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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On today's episode, we chat with entrepreneur, wine lover, and NBA star CJ McCollum as we talk about his venture into wine and creating McCollum Heritage '91. But CJ didn't grow up with a love of wine. In college, he was more of a hard liquor guy until his girlfriend (now wife) introduced him to a Merlot, which wasn't that great, but as he matured, so did his palette (and the quality). After CJ was drafted to the Portland Trailblazers in 2013, he got his lips on his gateway wine. Aware that being a Black man in Portland is rare, and being a black man in wine is even rarer, McCollum is making space in the wine world and making wine education accessible for everyone.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
CJ McCollum shares story about the origins of McCollum Heritage ‘91
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
On today’s show, we talk to entrepreneur Ajay Bouri, owner of streetwear shop Feature. First generation Indian, Ajay grew up in Northern California. The child of a traditional arranged marriage that didn’t last, his mother divorced his father, but that didn’t stop her from building a life for Ajay and his brother.
After, Ajay’s mom joined the Air Force, they moved from low income housing in California to the small town of Marquette, Michigan. As soon as they got to the midwest, Ajay began to rebel and got into a bit of trouble. His mother would move a couple of times to keep Ajay safe, even moving them to Tokyo to finish high school.
While attending college in Reno, and he started bartending and working at an insurance company. Feeling trapped by his day job, he would dive head first into night life and decided to move to Vegas. Despite the hustle and demands of the club scene, he’d return to Reno and help out friends with their business ventures, even opening a boutique turned personal shopping service “the attic” and then transitioned into sneakers. Feature. A venture he pitched to three other partners and opened in the middle of the 2010 recession.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
Ajay Bouri shares story about transitioning from nightlife to sneakers
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
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Francesca shares a story about serving her community by making feel-good, plant based food more accessible, all under a refreshing new look.
That was Francesca Chaney, Owner of Sol Sips based in Brooklyn, NY.
The Claima Stories with Bimma: Community Stories series is presented by 99designs by Vistaprint, as part of the 99 Days of Design initiative.
Learn more at
99designs.com/99daysofdesign
On today’s show, recorded in our mobile podcast studio storytella, I sit down with Tiffany Tanaka, of Petite Peso. A creative entrepreneur that’s Passionate about Creating businesses that are true to her experience, culture, and how she views the world. =
Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. Tiffany grew up watching her lawyer parents do things their way. But it was watching her dad leave law to open up a golf shop, which she lovingly calls “a hip pawn shop” that would really influence Tiffany’s future entrepreneurial moves. Although she grew up wanting to be a dentist, She moved to SAm Francisco for art school to study design and fashion. =
When she returned home, she realized there weren’t many fashion careers on the Island so instead she used the internet to her advantage and opened her first business, an eBay store that she’d run for six years. Selling everything from Vintage pennies, breast pumps, cars to nike SBs.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
Tiffany Tanaka shares story about the importance of representing Filipino culture authentically through her food
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
Francis shares a story about creating space for young creatives to overcome obstacles and reach new heights, all while sporting a new look.
That was Francis Santos, Owner of Operation Rally based in Las Vegas.
The Claima Stories with Bimma: Community Stories series is presented by 99designs by Vistaprint, as part of the 99 Days of Design initiative.
Learn more at
99designs.com/99daysofdesign
On today’s show, recorded in our mobile podcast studio STORYTELLA, I sit down with Keba Konte, Founder of Red Bay Coffee in Oakland, CA. Keba is someone who walks the walk and is committed to his vision of doing good in the world. Born and raised in San Francisco/Bay Area, he grew up in a creative household, with his photographer mother. Inspired by activism in school, Keba went to college to study photojournalism using his art to share a message.
After shooting album covers for Bay Area legend E-40, he’d leave school to capture Nelson Mandela’s historical election run in Johannesburg, where he learned about the South African hip hop community and the reach that the music has across the diaspora.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
Keba Konte shares story about devoting his time to learning coffee roasting
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
On today’s show, recorded in our mobile podcast studio storytella, I sit down with Brenda Equihua, founder and creative director of Equihua, a brand inspired by her Mexican roots. Growing up in Santa Barbara, she was raised in a close-knit Mexican community, but that never stopped her from realizing the affluent white people in her area.
Her entry to art stemmed from childhood trauma at the age of 4, but therapy wasn't accessible or the cool thing to normalize. But she was also a weird kid who would go outside and envision adventures and talk to herself; she'd channel all of that energy into drawing magical worlds when the everyday world became too much.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Brenda shares story about quitting her job in fashion
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
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On today’s show, recorded in our mobile podcast studio STORYTELLA, I sit down with Maurice Harris, a florist, artist, and founder of Bloom and Plume in Los Angeles, California. Raised in the church, Maurice struggled to develop a relationship with his father and found solace in watching his grandmother and mother create in the house, Inspiring Maurice to always want to make spaces more beautiful.
Born into a family that demanded perfection, Maurice was always told that he wasn’t just smart as a child, but that he was special, pushing him to excel at everything he did. And he did just that. Maurice’s life has been dedicated to perfection.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
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Maurice shares story of major setbacks while applying for a business loan
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
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On today’s show, recorded in our mobile podcast studio STORYTELLA, I sit down with Kacey Lynch, the creative visionary behind the Los Angeles brand Bricks and Wood. after witnessing the creativity of his father growing up, Kacey was inspired to tell authentic stories about his experience and upbringing.
One of Kacey’s earliest opportunities was working with Reebok on a release for Kendrick Lamar, and being an influencer for the brand. Initially exciting until Lynch learned that being an influencer meant nothing if you didn’t get to influence the work. After parting ways with Reebok, Kacey was able to sit back and reflect on what worked and what didn’t work in the experience.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
Kacey Lynch shares story about being human first.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
VV shares a story about building a brand identity and helping young creatives something from nothing, utilizing her new design to tell her story and inspire others.
That was VV Patchouli, Owner and Creative Director of VV Patchouli NY based in New York.
The Claima Stories with Bimma: Community Stories series is presented by 99designs by Vistaprint, as part of the 99 Days of Design initiative.
Learn more at
99designs.com/99daysofdesign
On today’s show, recorded in our mobile podcast studio storytella, I sit down with Aleali May, model, stylist, and fashion designer, who has worked with some of the cornerstones of streetwear and has been called the Queen of Sneakers by ESPN magazine, She’s put her spin on some of the most iconic Jordan silhouettes and has always dressed for her younger self. Born and raised in South Central LA, she loved taking on a challenge and facing it head on, whether it was riding bikes with the boys in her neighborhood or learning a dance routine with the girls, she never backed down from a challenge.
Aleali’s style and perspective is a giant mixing bowl of her upbringing. The LA influence from the Slauson Super Mall, her dad’s interest in Bike club culture, her uncle starting her love of Jordan’s, her granny’s flair for glamour and her mother’s Sade inspired fashion and the timelessness of the early aughts is all in the fabric of how Aleali presents herself to the world.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
Aleali May shares story about studying Don C + Virgil Abloh
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
Sheila shares a story about scaling her brand and ever growing passion for creating clothes to connect with her community and next generation, all with a new look.
That was Sheila Rashid, apparel designer and creative based in Chicago, IL.
The Claima Stories with Bimma: Community Stories series is presented by 99designs by Vistaprint, as part of the 99 Days of Design initiative.
Learn more at
99designs.com/99daysofdesign
Mariah shares a story about bridging traditional wellness practices with indigenous wisdom to help others with self healing and wellness, pre and post pandemic, all with a new look.
That was Mariah Makalapua, owner of Medicine Collective based in Portland, OR.
The Claima Stories with Bimma: Community Stories series is presented by 99designs by Vistaprint, as part of the 99 Days of Design initiative.
Learn more at
99designs.com/99daysofdesign
Reesha shares story about creating an inclusive experience for kids of all backgrounds leveraging the camp’s updated branding.
Reesha Howard is the founder of Game Day Sports Camp based in Indiana.
The Claima Stories with Bimma: Community Stories series is presented by 99designs by Vistaprint, as part of the 99 Days of Design initiative.
Learn more at
99designs.com/99daysofdesign
Hugh shares a story about balancing being a musician and a plant based chef providing better food options for his community, leveraging a new look.
That was Hugh Augustine, owner of Hugh’s Hot Bowl’s based in Los Angeles, CA.
The Claima Stories with Bimma: Community Stories series is presented by 99designs by Vistaprint, as part of the 99 Days of Design initiative.
Learn more at
99designs.com/99daysofdesign
Ian Williams shares story about fostering community through dope coffee
Ian Williams, owner of Deadstock Coffee, has such an inspiring story. Born in Newport News, VA. The child of a drug and alcohol counselor, Ian had a childhood just like any other kid, despite growing up in a rough area, but fell in love with sneakers from watching the local corner boys flaunting what they had, but always stayed on the straight and narrow. At the age of 9, his father had passed and Ian moved to Portland to live with his brother.
The culture shock was very real, it was first time living in a house, first time seeing tree lined streets and it was his first time seeing people that didn’t look like him. Ian found solace in basketball, despite being a very, very, very undersized center. But basketball would be his true entry point into having a love of sneakers; his first pair of course was VA legend Allen Iverson’s Questions. Which then would evolve into a love of And-1 the shows and the basketball mixtapes.
As his interest in sneakers and basketball was strong, Ian’s interest in school wasn’t, later finding out as an adult he had undiagnosed ADD. Ian used clowning in school as a defense mechanism. Right before his senior year, Ian learned that he needed to retake 8 classes. Despite trying to make up these classes, Ian couldn’t make them all up and didn’t graduate high school. After school, Ian started selling cars and although he wasn’t very knowledgeable in cars or finance, he knew exactly how to assess and connect with people. After quitting his job in 2005, he went back to community college.
Ian never had aspirations to work at Nike, but the little bit of money he did have, he was buying sneakers. So many sneakers that he had to move back home. Ian got plenty of odd jobs with the company from working retail at the Nike Employee Store to literally making the airbags that go into the shoes to even being a janitor on campus. With a lot of hustle, knowledge and gumption, Ian would get a job at the campus as a Footwear developer where he’d work on a dunk that was released in 2010.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
Ian Williams shares story about Deadstock Coffee origins
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
Andy Nguyen is co-founder of Afters Ice Cream, Matte Black Coffee, and many more restaurant ventures; he’s sort of something of a serial entrepreneur, his journey includes everything from real estate to streetwear to food. Born in Orange County, California, Andy grew up in Little Saigon, the second largest Vietnamese population after Vietnam. In the 90s, he was a victim of bullying and spent a lot of his freshman and sophomore year skipping school and was eventually kicked out for poor performance.
Andy maintained a determined spirit and would later go into real estate. Working out of his parent’s garage, he was making really good money, but he wasn’t passionate about it. Inspired by a friend, Andy decided to jump head first into the streetwear business.
He would go on to create a streetwear brand that was carried by Zumies, Karmaloop and other online retailers along with a blog that helped create a connection with the consumer and curated the interests of Andy and his crew. Kendrick, ASAP Rocky, and many other artists were supporters of the brand that he’d eventually sell in 2015 to start Afters Ice Cream, a restaurant sensation now with 27 locations on the West Coast.\
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
Andy Nguyen shares story about how they found the first Afters Ice Cream location.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
Alejandro Rodriguez, founder and creative director of BTFL, who has lived a life that would make most fashion heads envious. Born and raised in LA, the son of an entrepreneur who worked his way from washer to owner. Alejandro grew up watching people running their own businesses, but he wasn’t necessarily interested in the family business.
Baseball and fashion always held his attention, until he quit the sport to study art at his mother’s encouragement. That encouragement to express himself through art developed in the clothes he wears, and while still in high school, he ended up collaborating with the certified diamond singer Usher, leading to a pretty successful sneaker customization business.
After graduating, and the interest in painted sneakers declining, Alejandro moved to New Jersey where he learned more about the business of fashion. After a short stint, he returned home for work and his design jobs would evolve into graphic design. Yep, if you remember Ed Hardy and Affliction, you can blame Alejandro for that. But all he wanted to do was his own thing.
So he decided to start a clothing brand called Beautiful Ful, inspired by a line from the Movie Great Gatsby. The very next year, he would open a brick and mortar location. His vision and creativity would later shift, leading Alejandro to discontinue the first iteration of the brand. He was in need of inspiration. After a reset and decision to be true to himself, Alejandro returned with BTFL, focused on simplicity and not following the hype.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
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Alejandro Rodriguez shares story about designing shoes for Usher.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
Ray grew up in Palmdale, CA and promised himself he would get out as soon as he could. Music filed his house as a child, the only mixed kid in his family as he grew up music became his solace when he’d feel like the outsider of his family. Listening to the local hip hop stations at the peak of west coast hip hop, Ray aspired to work in radio; and his blue collar parents supported his dreams.
The first person in his family to go to college, Ray attended USC. Although high school was a breeze, college was a rude awakening there was a lot of partying and poor grades. He received a DUI along the same time, which led Alba to getting back on the straight path and stop drinking. He’d get kicked out of USC twice. But during a communications class, Ray let his goal of wanting to work in the music industry be known. A classmate remembered this and at the end of the semester, passed his resume along to people at Interscope records. He’s never looked back.
Ray's academic woes in school leading to his expulsion from the USC led to the end of his internship. Causing Ray to live out his worst nightmare, of being back in Palmdale working at Office Depot. He still kept in touch with people at Interscope and would temp periodically. But when a desk job opened up, he jumped at the chance. He got his shot in the Publicity department, where he was the assistant to Greg Miller who was looking after the careers of Rich Boy, Soulja Boy, and The Game. Where he’d set up interviews for talent while they toured. Driven by the fear of failure, Ray was always waiting for the shoe to drop and doing the wrong thing, he learned that mistakes are okay, just don’t make it a habit. Ray built a reputation for being the hip hop head around the office. He worked with Yelawolf on his second album, and then he worked with an up and comer named Kendrick Lamar, leading the publicity for the grammy award winning GOOD kid Maad City.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
Ray Alba shares story about interning at Interscope Records.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
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Franklin shares a story about cutting hair in Cleveland, OH to starting his own barbershop in Portland, OR and using his new classic logo to open his latest location.
Franklin Whatley is the owner of Classic Men Barbershop, based in Portland, OR.
The Claima Stories with Bimma: Community Stories series is presented by 99designs by Vistaprint, as part of the 99 Days of Design initiative.
Learn more at
99designs.com/99daysofdesign
Jade Purple Brown is an artist and entrepreneur, whose client list includes Sephora and Drew Barrymore, her colorful and retro work is a true representation of what makes her her. Born in Waukegan, Illinois Jade’s interests have always been visual, whether she was drawing or devouring fashion magazines, her interests were always aligned with fashion and beauty, and the introduction of Tumblr was a gateway to new references and new discoveries.
Deciding to attend college for fashion marketing, she learned that styling as a career wasn’t for her, but when she was introduced to InDesign and the rest of the Adobe suite, something inside of her was unlocked. She knew what she wanted to do and instead of switching majors she decided to focus on teaching herself the core skills of design.
After college, Jade moved back home once those refund checks dried up, and studied people in design that she really admired, using their portfolios as a guideline to putting her own together. With the power of the (ever so slept on) Linkedin, she got her first job as an art director at Jim Beam. With just retail experience, she walked in, and learned completely on the job, and despite the clash of styles from her personal style to the very dark masculine style of Jim Beam, she held her own.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
Jade Purple Brown shares story about leaving corporate America.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
Subscribe:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
Jon Humphrey is a Louisiana streetwear entrepreneur with Cali roots. Born and raised in San Fernando Valley, California. Jon grew up a shy kid and a love of art and football. Growing up with a single mom, money was tight so he’d spruce up his gear with customizations to stay fresh at school. But when he got his first job at Champs, sneakers became kind of an obsession, but also the social nature of his job allowed Jon to come out of shell and combat his shyness. When he was 19, his mother moved them to New Orleans, LA, to help with his grandparents. Instantly feeling like a fish out of water, and there were some roadblocks after moving, when it comes to enrolling in school. The move led to a short bout with depression. But it was when a cousin took him the Southern Homecoming in Baton Rouge, that he learned about what Louisiana culture is all about.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit. Jon leaves New Orleans for Baton Rouge to wait out the storm. (Of course, he left with two pairs of Jordans.) However, like so many at that time, returned home to everything destroyed. His family was displaced to San Antonio, where Jon took his FEMA check and enrolled in barber school and moved back to Baton Rouge. With that skill, Jon got a job at a local barber shop and started to build a community for himself, but moved back to New Orleans, and low-key became the hottest barber in the city.
Hanging out at a local streetwear shops near the barbershop he was working at, Jon began to build a relationship with the guys there. They liked him so much, they offered him a job. It was when he went to Agenda for the first time, and became engulfed in the world of streetwear and fashion. But All Star Weekend 2015, Jon was inspired to create his own brand, Beignet Boys, inspired by some of his favorite rappers, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, and Griselda. He made 3 shirts and he sold 3 shirts. Then it started to grow bigger and bigger, and is still growing even getting shout outs from New Orleans Pelican stars Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart. Beignet Boys might be new, but it’s already leaving an impact on the New Orleans community and beyond.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Jon Humphrey shares a story about going to Agenda / Magic for the first time.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Mariana shares a story about picking up a camera at 16 to becoming a commercial photographer, and leveraging her updated brand mark to expand her business into a studio.
Mariana is the founder of Mariana Sheppard Studio, based in New Orleans, LA.
The Claima Stories with Bimma: Community Stories series is presented by 99designs by Vistaprint, as part of the 99 Days of Design initiative.
Learn more at
99designs.com/99daysofdesign
June Ambrose is the mind behind some of hip hops most iconic looks From Jay-Z to Missy Elliott. Born in Antigua and raised in the south Bronx, June grew up as a latch key kid, whose creativity and entrepreneurial spirit was unmatched at a very early age. Despite living in the rough Bronx in the 70s and 80s, her mother, made sure she got the chance to see as many different experiences as she possibly could, from her aunt working at CBS studios to being a product of the fresh air fund program.
A student at a performing arts high school, she studied theater and when she wasn’t on the stage, she learned how to tell stories though costume design. June always used fashion as a way to express herself and a way to hide her teenage insecurities. With a flair for style, a winning smile, and a sharp personality, June took advantage of every opportunity that came her way. After high school, She worked at an investment firm as a researcher, and although the money was great, she was bored to tears.
Leaving that, to intern at a record label in the marketing department, and thinking like costume designer... When the opportunity came to style a young artist, she raised her hand, with no experience just a love of fashion and gumption. She learned on the job, learning how to work with fashion houses, budgets, and learning how to style for the camera as opposed to the stage. June was starting to figure out how to give hip hop a voice through fashion.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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June Ambrose shares story about working with Jay Z.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Brittany shares a story about her journey of going from model to entrepreneur, and leveraging her new branding to take Body Melt to national retailers.
Brittany Nicholas is the founder of Body Melt, a beauty and wellness business based in New Orleans, LA.
The Claima Stories with Bimma: Community Stories series is presented by 99designs by Vistaprint, as part of the 99 Days of Design initiative.
Learn more at
99designs.com/99daysofdesign
A story about a bold, contemporary globe logo for a creative film production company documenting trends impacting the current generation. Nik Popp is the founder of Puurple World Productions. A creative film company that was founded in 2015 and based in Portland, OR.
The Claima Stories with Bimma: Community Stories series is presented by 99designs by Vistaprint, as part of the 99 Days of Design initiative.
Learn more at
99designs.com/99daysofdesign
James Whitner is a streetwear entrepreneur whose inspirational story is rooted in hard work and the hustler’s mentality. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, James grew up in the projects during the crack epidemic, where he saw drugs tear families and communities apart including his own. A victim of homelessness while taking care of his younger brother, found himself in constant survival mode. Standing 6’4 at 13 years old, he found basketball which would be his focus and sanctuary until a career injury put his hoop dreams on hold.
James went to the streets and started hustling, until his mid 20s. Deciding to move to North Carolina for an opportunity and putting the street life behind him. James then went to college where he applied his street knowledge to getting a degree in Business Administration. He opened his first store and it was a diamond in the rough so to speak. But as a black man who understood business, street culture, and how to grind, James had no choice but to make it work. The streetwear scene was starting to grow and James wanted to be a part of it inspired by his legal past, having to call his probation officer to even attend trade shows. But not even a week after he got off probation, James went straight to Japan
With the idea of selling jeans. Once he figured out how that worked, he came up with the idea for Social Status. With 5 store locations, he made sure that people understood the importance of the south in the streetwear community when many didn’t believe in him. He moved to Atlanta and opened A Man Maniere, luxury for the street kids. Which leads us to the amazing A Man Maniere Jordan 3, a love letter to black women.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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James Whitner shares story about creating his own denim
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Laci Jordan is an artist and creative director from Huntsville, Alabama currently living in Los Angeles that has worked with Jordan Brand, Adobe, Skillshare and so many more. Raised by southern parents, her dad, a plastics engineer from Tennessee and her mother, a Jill of All Trades with roots in the church, Laci was introduced to creativity before she even realized it.
Her mother was a resourceful woman who used her gift of crafting to paint Santa Clauses black, to make sure that Laci had representation in the household, while her father would fiddle and fix electronics all over the house. With older brothers, Laci was a tomboy with an engrained love for sneakers, and a super involved kid in all things from track to marching band( yes, marching band is a sport) to working ever since she was 14.
That hard work would lead Laci to the University of Alabama where she would major in Criminal Justice with FBI dreams, but her creativity always shined through. While in school, Laci was introduced to Disney recruiters that would lead to a summer internship in Orlando. Not really feeling it, Laci returned home, where she would be an IT analyst at her old middle school. With no options back home and desperate to get out of Huntsville, she applied for any creative gig at Disney in LA.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Laci Jordan shares story about designing for Jordan Brand
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Anthony Supreme is the founder of Preme Magazine. His work in filmmaking and photography has taken him from Monroe, North Carolina all the way to Los Angeles. A natural go getter and finally finding a creative outlet, he began shooting and editing music videos for local artists in the city. His hustle and talent would allow him the opportunities to shoot some southern legends, including Gucci Mane.
It wasn’t until he met a peer who helped him learn the craft of filmmaking and videography that Anthony really started to hone in on what was important to him, and when it became too much to balance studying social work and his rising creative career, another mentor who looked like him, would encourage him to commit 100% to what makes him happy.
After some personal struggles, Anthony packed his cameras and drove from Charlotte to LA, literally developing skills as a photographer on the way. Once he arrived in LA, the work continued eventually leading him to work closely with North Carolina hero, J.Cole.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Anthony shares story about capturing J. Cole’s album cover.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Fabi Reyna, creator and Editor in Chief of She Shreds, a magazine dedicated to shining a light and giving a platform to femme guitarists.
Raised in Austin, Texas, Fabi lived with her single mom, who worked four jobs to make sure that her daughter was able to spread her wings and try new things. From sports to a variety of different camps, it was a music program that felt like home to Fabi. Music would become a guiding force in her life.
At 17, Fabi deferred college twice, joined an all femme band, and toured the country. This would spark the idea for the groundbreaking magazine and media platform, She Shreds. Seeing the need for community and support for women and annoyed by the images of women in the guitar community that were hyper sexualized.
She started She Shreds in 2012, with no real idea how to make a magazine, but she felt emotionally drawn to the task. Fabi Reyna dedication to the art of guitar playing and making sure that women, queer, and BIPOC communities are properly represented and treated fairly.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Fabi Reyna shares a story about the representation of women in media.
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner.
Listen and Subscribe now.
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Derek Ali, also known as MixedByAli, is the resident sound engineer for TDE, and founder of Engine Ears. He’s worked with everyone from Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, YG, Mac Miller, SZA, Baby Keem, and many more of today’s industry leading artists.
Born and Raised in Gardena, California, Ali was raised by his grandparents in a Polish household, where the Eastern European culture runs deep. Although he’s now a well established entrepreneur, Ali’s first hustle in high school was making ringtones for his friends for $20. Unconsciously, this is when he would be introduced to his dream career.
As a teenager, Ali played Defensive End on his high school football team, even played alongside his future TDE family, SchoolBoy Q. However, after a career ending injury, he was drawn back to music and eventually found himself at Top Dawg’s house through an invite from Dave Free. This would lead to him working with Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, and Jay Rock in the beginning of their careers.
As Ali became more immersed in becoming the best engineer he could be with mentorship from Dr. Dre, he found himself in a family of driven people that did nothing but fuel his drive to be the very best. Surrounding himself with likeminded people led him on a journey that would take him all over the world. Eventually, he would strike out on his own to found Engine Ears.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Derek Ali shares a story about being mentored by Dr.Dre.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner.
Listen and Subscribe now.
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Paris Cole is the co-founder and creative director of Outlihers, an artist management company based in Los Angeles.
A DMV native whose bubbly personality, ambition, and hustle put her right in the center of DC’s nightlife scene and managing two of the leading artists in today’s R&B scene.
Watching her mother wear the premiere fashions of the 90s, Paris was never afraid to be to express herself. She grew up listening to the local GOGO music, Camron, Jay-Z, and Mary J. Blige, which unknowingly set on her path. In high school, Paris was able to create her own curriculum that focused on the arts. Where she studied the history of different black artists and culture. But Paris partied just as hard as she studied running the streets and going to different Go-Gos on the weekend.
After deciding college wasn’t the best route for her, Paris eventually moved into the DC nightlife working the doors at clubs and meeting people, including DC legend DJ Alizay, known for breaking DC legend Wale. She became engulfed in the DC music scene, learning music history, and just making sure the city was having a good time. She would eventually find herself helping manage the careers of Ari Lennoz and Lucky Daye.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Paris shares a story about working with a world class artist.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Steve “Sweatpants” Irby is a photographer and cofounder of Street Dream Mag based in New York.
Steve “Sweatpants” Irby, a photographer and cofounder of Street Dreams Mag from New York City. Working with clients like Coach and Nike, and taking some of last summer’s most iconic photos at Black Live Matter Protests, His work finds the beauty in the everyman and champions the black and brown people that make up New York.
The son of a paralegal and a master electrician, Steve grew up on construction sites, and was encouraged to take after his father, and join the family as an electrician. Although the family business wasn’t his vibe, Steve didn’t stop working, working 5-day jobs, from McDonald's to Sears, with no real direction as to what he was working for. He was working to live as opposed to finding a career.
But when the recession hit, Steve got back to the grind. Working more day-to-day jobs including REI. But it was when he took a job at GameStop that his life started to change. From discovering his photography community on Instagram to starting Street Dreams Mag.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Steve shares a story about the origins of Street Dreams Mag.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Tiffany Thompson aka The Plant Mami, founder of Duett Interiors, is based in Portland Oregon.
At an early age, Tiffany set her sights on working in the sports industry. While attending Barry University in Miami, she studied sports management. She would leverage this to work with NBA vets like Alonzo Mourning, the University of Miami, and even landed a job at Nike.
Although Tiffany worked at Nike for nearly 10 years, her dreams of remaining in corporate America started to change after purchasing her first home. She became obsessed with interior design and would ultimately decide to leave her full time job to claim her dreams in interior design.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
Tiffany Thompson shares a story about designing (interior) for NBA clients.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
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Jeff Staple the legendary designer behind the Nike Staple Pigeon Dunk SB, founder of Reed Art Department, creative director of Staple Pigeon, and he’s the host of the extremely popular Business of Hype podcast.
But Jeff didn’t always have it together, nor was anything handed to him. During his years as a student, he really struggled to stay engaged in school. He would rather go to concerts to see Mos Def or sneak into Parsons at night to screen print t-shirts. Unable to meet his parents expectations, he would become a two-time college dropout.
As an Asian American, Jeff has dealt with relentless bullying and hate just because he’s Chinese. When he was younger, he recalls being ashamed and embarrassed of his own culture. There were times when he would even try to hide it.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
Jeff Staple the legendary designer behind the Nike Staple Pigeon Dunk SB, founder of Reed Art Department, creative director of Staple Pigeon, and he’s the host of the extremely popular Business of Hype podcast.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories
Jose Silva is a photographer who has shot everyone from Wale to Joe Budden and has worked with brands like MTV, Spotify, and Sony. And when we could go to concerts, Jose had the best view in the house.
Born in Venezuela, Jose grew up playing every sport his mother could sign him up for to keep him out of trouble. But when the streets of Caracas got too much, his mother packed up their life and mom moved to the NY/NJ area when he was 14 years. He first picked up a camera as a way to tackle his shyness in social settings and as a way to document memories for his younger sister. Not realizing he was practicing different techniques with her as the subject.
A self-proclaimed “Ambivert”. Photography was a way for him to tackle his shyness, shooting at different college parties throughout college. A child of the internet, like so many of us, he started sharing his photos during the early days of Facebook. And this shy kid from Jersey’s popularity started to grow leading to working with creatives like Joe Budden.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Jose Silva shares story about documenting Joe Budden’s career
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Nate shares story about working with Virgil Abloh.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Elise Swopes, an iPhone artist that has worked with brands like American Express, Pandora, and Adobe. One of Elise’s biggest inspirations is her father, who despite ups and downs taught his daughter to walk to the beat of her own drum, even if that meant getting into a bit of trouble while in school.
As a child of the internet, she was hustling myspace layouts for cheeseburgers. This led to her becoming enthralled with digital creativity, finding love in sharing her art and the tools with others.
It was 2010 when Elise found herself pulled to this little app called Instagram, where it instantly felt familiar. Shooting stuff on her broken iPhone 4. She found another space for sharing her digital artwork.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Following her rap career with the Treated Crew, Elise Swopes shares a story about finding community on Instagram.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Growing up in Philly, She would’ve never imagined her love of making trinkets and clothes with her mom would lead to over 10 years as children’s clothing designer to packing up her life and moving back home to follow her passion.
She shares how the guidance of her high school art teachers fed her big city dreams of moving to New York, and going to design school, her journey from from getting a peak behind the curtain at Rocawear at the peak of their success, to landing a job at American Eagle’s 77 kids as a designer.
BUT Shannon felt a pull home that would change her trajectory forever. After cultivating a 10 year career as a designer, she decided to pack up, move back home with her parents, and her love of ceramics would inspire her to expand YOWIE. With a fun and uniquely personal approach to e-commerce Shannon saw an opening to take her promising online shop, to brick and mortar.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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After returning home to Philly and rebuilding her network, Shannon started to leverage social media to invite people to her new shop Yowie.
Shannon Maldonado is the founder of Yowie, a home and life shop focused on curating small collections from friends, independent artists, and designers.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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Instead of following her family’s wishes and going to law school, Melody Ehsani decided to pack up and head to China where she would design her first collection of heels, not sneakers, as some of you may have thought, basically run as a one-woman creative shop and pivot into jewelry design that put her in position to work with legends like Saul Williams and Erykah Badu.
Although you’d think that Melody would lean into the glitz and glamour that comes with that, she returned home to open up shop and bring some much-needed feminine energy to Fairfax, where her shop would become the center of education and social justice.
Today, Melody is known for her incredible projects with Reebok, Jordan, and Footlocker.
About Claima Stories with Bimma:
Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.
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- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/claima-stories-with-bimma/id1495113118
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After dropping out of law school, Melody Ehsani shares a story about learning sneaker design and how she immediately felt innately connected to it. Over the years, she’s leveraged this passion to collaborate with brands like Reebok, Jordan, and Footlocker.
What’s your narrative? A thought provoking poem written and performed by Amiri Rose. Through inspiring stories from BIPOC creatives, come learn how to claim your dream career. Season 2 of Claima Stories with Bimma returns on March 2nd featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, James Whitner, and many more.
On today’s show, how Nuwoe Goteh went from escaping the civil war in Liberia and being surrounded by the crack epidemic in Brooklyn to managing the social media content plans that elevate the stories of NBA and WNBA All Stars for the biggest athletic and outdoor company in the world.
Thanks so much for listening to the show this week. Find out more about Nuwoe and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
On today’s show recorded during Claima Stories Live, an interview series we hosted through Zoom in an effort to uplifts spirits and offer hope to job seekers of color during the Coronavirus pandemic, we learn how Cam Mason went from working as a Sales Associate at Finish Line to creating signature basketball sneakers with 8x NBA All Star, James Harden.
Thanks so much for listening to the show this week. Find out more about Cam and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
On today’s show, how Purvi Patel grew up in a traditional Indian household with expectations of her becoming a doctor to sidestepping that path creating a career as a top marketer in the athletic and outdoor industry, working with some of the biggest names on Youtube and TikTok.
Thanks so much for listening to the show this week. Find out more about Purvi and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
On today’s show recorded during Claima Stories Live, an interview series we hosted through Zoom in an effort to uplifts spirits and offer hope to job seekers of color during the Coronavirus pandemic. We learn how James Hesse of Heskicks went from barely being able to afford lunch as a kid to generating over 130 million views on YouTube from his sneaker review videos.
Thanks so much for listening to the show this week. Find out more about James and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
On today’s show recorded during Claima Stories Live, an interview series we hosted through Zoom in an effort to uplifts spirits and offer hope to job seekers of color during the Coronavirus pandemic, we learn how Portia Blunt went from growing up in Copenhagen, Puerto Rico, Japan, and Brussels to leading a team in creating the first New Balance Black History Month Collection.
Thanks so much for listening to the show this week. Find out more about Portia and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
On today’s show recorded during Claima Stories Live, an interview series we hosted through Zoom in an effort to uplifts spirits and offer hope to job seekers of color during the Coronavirus pandemic, we learn how Jazerai went from making $10 per article writing about sneakers to releasing her own sneaker with heritage sportswear brand, Reebok.
Thanks so much for listening to the show this week. Find out more about Jazerai and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
On today’s show recorded during Claima Stories Live, an interview series we hosted through Zoom in an effort to uplifts spirits and offer hope to job seekers of color during the Coronavirus pandemic, how Bryce Wong went from experimenting with projects in his parents garage to designing some of your favorite Nike sneakers in the market right now.
Thanks so much for listening to the show this week. Find out more about Bryce Wong and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
On today’s show, I sit down with Katie Lau to explore how she went from being picked on during a game of hide and seek for quote unquote wearing a pair of sneakers that weren’t for girls to working with Tom Brady and Concepts in Boston to create a very special sneaker celebrating the Patriots amazing 25 point comeback in SuperBowl 51.
Thanks so much for listening to the show this week. Find out more about Katie Lau and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
On today’s show, we explore how Cedric Hudson went from growing up without having a true hometown to becoming a standout apparel designer in the sportswear industry with garments featured in global publications including GQ magazine.
Thanks so much for listening to the show this week. Find out more about Cedric Hudson and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
On today’s show, I was able to sit down with Tracie Jackson. She grew up on the Navajo reservation in Arizona where her family would travel around the Southwest to Native American art shows.
Thanks so much for listening to the show this week. Find out more about Tracie and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
On today’s show, we learn how LaToya Kamara Manley went from creating her own fashion designs as a teenager in Portland, Oregon to managing the growth of the women’s business in North America for one of the most iconic brands in sportswear history.
Thanks so much for listening to the show this week. Find out more about LaToya and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
On today’s show, I sit down with Cedric Fletcher. Growing up in the Bronx during the 80s, Cedric had a lot of responsibility at home as a child. With his mother working two jobs to provide for his family, he supported by looking after his brother with autism. The maturity he developed over the years helped him to become a Global Merchandiser for some of the most recognizable brands around the world.
Thanks so much for listening to the show this week. Find out more about Cedric and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
On today’s show, we learn how Cindy Zhou went from longboarding on the streets of Toronto to using her love for action sports and helping adidas drive business growth in kids footwear.
Thanks so much for listening to the show this week. Find out more about Cindy and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
On today’s show, we dive into how Jocelyn Rice went from dropping out of high school to becoming an apparel designer for Women’s and Men’s outerwear.
Thanks so much for listening to the show this week. Find out more about Jocelyn and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
On today’s show, we explore how Ed Wallace went from living in a neighborhood filled with of crime and violence to designing innovative performance running shoes and selling more than 1 million pairs of his first running design.
Thanks so much for listening to the show this week. Find out more about Ed and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
On today’s show, we were able to sit down with Saraa Green. She grew up in a family full of the fastest competitors. That’s right, she and her siblings were track and field athletes and It was that same competitive mentality she used on the track that helped her become a footwear developer working on laceless basketball sneakers for adidas.
Thanks so much for listening to the show this week. Find out more about Saraa and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
We explore how Melissa Chun took her love of altering clothes while in college to working at adidas on apparel collaborations with some of the biggest names in streetwear.
Thanks so much for listening to the show this week. Find out more about Melissa and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
On today’s show, I speak with DeWayne Dale about how receiving a pair of Air Jordan 3s when he was 9 led to him pursuing his love of sneaker design and eventually getting paid to do it for a living.
Thanks so much for listening to the show this week. Find out more about DeWayne and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
How Domonique Debnam shifted from thinking her only career options growing up were to be a lawyer to becoming a Product Marketing Strategist in the sportswear industry, managing a $700 million footwear business.
Thanks so much for listening to the show this week. Find out more about Domonique and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
From growing up as a young black girl in NE Portland to managing billions of dollars with Meyers Memorial Trust. Recorded live at the African American Footwear Forum, Bimma Williams sat down with Rukaiyah Adams to discuss how she pursued a career as a acquisitions lawyer in Silicon Valley and later pivoted into managing investment portfolios driven by her love of math.
Thanks so much for listening to the show. Find out more about Rukaiyah and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
Frank is a Creative / Curator in the sportswear industry. He departed from Jordan Brand in 2018. Frank has created quite a name for himself in the industry as someone that truly understands the art of storytelling through sneakers. He’s worked on a number of notable releases, from the Aleali May Air Jordan 6 to the Nigel Sylvester Air Jordan 1.
Thanks so much for listening to the show this week. Find out more about Frank and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
After growing up in the projects of Cambridge, MA, it took Darla 9 years to get her degree while balancing a full time job. She has since dedicated her career to being a champion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, partnering with global sportswear brands like Reebok.
Thanks so much for listening to the show. Find out more about Darla and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
Rashad Williams opens up to Bimma Williams about his diverse career journey working at global sportswear brands including Fila, adidas, Jordan, Nike, Under Armour, and adidas again.
Thanks so much for listening to the show. Find out more about Rashad and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams
Jarvis Sam started his professional career working at Music World Entertainment. That’s right, the record label founded by Beyonce’s dad. Shortly after, he started to make a name for himself working in Tech for companies like Google and Snapchat. In 2018, he joined Nike, inc. to lead the brand’s Diversity recruitment efforts.
Thanks so much for listening to the show. Find out more about Jarvis and get access to all of our episodes on our website at claimastories.com and while you’re there please give us a review.
If you’d like to connect, follow us on Instagram @claimastories.
Host: Bimma Williams
Executive Producer: BJ Frogozo
Producer: Adrian Anaya
Thank You: Oilang Maui & Kate Williams