Becky Russell of BExclusives Custom Clothing
- Topic:
Interview & Artist Spotlight
- Article By:
Sherri
- Photo:
Becky Russell | BExclusives
I recently had the chance to get to know and work a little with Becky Russell of the custom apparel line BExclusives. The BExclusives brand specializes in creating custom one of a kind looks for not only shows, videos and photo shoots, but original garments for the average consumer as well. Becky has worked with many major Nashville, TN artists, and has done exclusive pieces for nationally known artists such as Missy Elliot, Anthony Hamilton, Trey Songz, Eminem and many more!
But more than just a great artist, Becky is a devoted and loving mother, daughter and business woman. I found her story to be very inpiring and I think you will as well...
The Woman
"I feel like people might respect my grind a little more knowing my struggle."
When I first met you I only knew of your talented artwork, primarily your t-shirt designs. But as I looked deeper into the woman behind the artwork, behind BExclusives, I found a person with a story of her own. I found out that there is much more behind the woman than I initially thought (as there usually is with entrepreneurs), and I am very excited to be able to interview you and to share some of that with our readers. So, first and foremost I would just like to say thank you for taking the time!
B: Thank you for allowing me to share!!
One of the reasons I found your story to be encouraging and even inspirational was because in your bio you talked about how you were just about to quit school when something unexpected happened in your life that changed everything. Not only did you end up graduating from high school but you also went on to college (for graphic design) which is ultimately what brought you to where you are today. What was it that brought about the sudden change of plans?
B: My junior year of High School I found out I was pregnant. Before that, I didn't care for school, skipped classes, STAYED in the principals office and let's just say I was headed down the wrong path!! But when I found out that I had a life inside of me - my whole perspective changed! I was no longer making decisions for ME - now I had to think of HER!! So, abortion wasn't even an option, I NOW had a reason to get my life together when before I had no reason!! So I went to night school, Saturday school, and summer school, whatever it took to get the credits, I did it! And I did - with my baby girl in the audience watching me graduate!!
How were you able to accomplish all that you did while pregnant and then with a new baby?
B: My MOM!!! Words can't describe how hard she worked to help me - she was unemployed when I got the news about being pregnant, and she never lost faith and always encouraged me. She never sweat - and if she did - she never showed it!
You could easily have chosen to show only your success and to leave the struggles of the past behind. What made you decide to share that piece of your story, and to share it with your potential clients as well?
B: My past is a HUGE part of my success. The clients, notoriety, and even talent is a small portion of who I am!!!! I hope to one day inspire the single teenage mother out there to never lose faith!! I feel like people might respect my grind a little more knowing my struggle.
The Business
"No matter what you choose to BE - just BE something!"
Can you tell us a little about how BExclusives came about? Was there anything in particular that made you decided to take your graphic design skills to the world of fashion rather than to say print or any other media?
B: I work with children and have since I graduated High School. I needed to get some kids matching shirts for a dance routine I choreographed. The local airbrush shops were out of our budget so I taught myself how to do it! Then word of mouth spread rapidly! The "BExclusives" brand was born 2010! I never quite knew what to call what I did, so I went thru "FutureAirbrush" "Becky the Great" and "B the Great" or "BTG" but none of them felt right - so "BExclusives" became the official name, it has many meanings to me - BE original BE yourself - BE xclusive!!! No matter what you choose to BE - just BE something!!! There are so many people doing graphics on print - I stuck with clothing - that lane was empty!!
It's interesting that you went through a few different name changes before you settled on BExclusives; we've talked to several people who have gone through a similar situation, ourselves included. Our company Fly Media Productions wasn't always Fly ...for us it was a matter of ignoring ill advice, finding ourselves and being true to who we are as individuals as well as in business. It wasn't until we finally changed our business name to something more representative of us that everything changed (for the better!).
Did you always know that you wanted to have your own business?
B: Well, my grandparents were both entrepreneurs in record producing and upholstery and my mom was as well doing Native American jewelry so it was just about finding what my "thing" would be!! I found it 2004!
What was the process of starting a business like? ...Did you have help?
B: I had NO HELP! Which is difficult and seemingly financially impossible! I just observe others. Do a lot of research and just "wing it" I still have so much to learn and I'm leaving new things daily!! I have people that help me promote now, but I am my only employee as of right now!
What were your biggest challenges? And how did you overcome them?
B: My BIGGEST challenges are all Financially based. I'm still a single mother and my daughter comes first, but there are sooooo many things I wish I could afford to do, like travel, invest in better equipment, and pay for promotion. To overcome these challenges I just have to work hard everyday and pray that one day it will pay off!
What has been the best part of running your own business?
B: My daughter being proud of me!!! I aspire to inspire others, but when she says she wants to be like me and I'm her hero, that is the greatest accomplishment to me!! While running my own business, I can be as creative as I want, make my own decisions and basically do what I want with it, even if its not the "right" way, I learn from it and grow!
The Work
"...good old fashioned people skills usually gets the job done!"
Initially, how did you get your work into the hands of such big names as Missy Elliot, Trey Songz and Eminem? Did you reach out to them or did they come to you? ...And how about today?
B: I network!!!! But more importantly, I have a great personality!! I tweeted saying "I wish I could design for Missy Elliott one day" and she saw my tweet and made it happen!!! Trey was in town so I took him an MJ shirt - he loved it!! And Eminem saw my work on Young Buck and requested my services! I normally go thru the stylist because they are the ones that dress the celeb! But good old fashioned people skills usually gets the job done!!
That's amazing! ...How does it feel to see celebrities wearing your gear?
B: I can't really describe how it feels in one word.. I feel accomplished, blessed, appreciated, and a great sense of achievement!
You must have dreamed of this day...how does it feel to watch your dream become a reality?
B: The only dream I've had from the beginning was to not struggle, be happy, and if that happens through celebs wearing my product then my dream came true!!
Are there any celebrities or otherwise in particular that you would love to see wearing your one of a kind designs?
B: YES!! I would love to design for Andre 3000, I'm not into targeting BIG NAMES... I care more about WHO I respect than WHO is hot (at the moment). I think it would be pretty cool to see a dance crew on Americas Best Dance Crew too!!!
What does the future hold for Becky Russell and the BExclusives brand? Is there more that you would like to do?
B: Currently I'm designing different BEE characters.... I hope to launch a line using these characters! My store will launch November 1st giving people opportunities to purchase my shirts. I also plan have different contest thru my blog site. I also am the lead designer for 2 up and coming lines "Grind Hard Gear" and "One Family" both based in N ashville, TN. I hope to launch these lines soon as well! ...In the future, I would love to teach classes at the local community center about entrepreneurship and female empowerment!
For those interested in working with you, where can they see more examples of your work, get pricing details, etc.?
B: For right now I direct everyone to my blog site! My official website was left unfinished by an unprofessional. I hope to relaunch no later than JAN 1st! ALL info can be found at www.xlcusiveblog.com.
How can we keep up with all the goings on at BExclusives?
B: Just stay tuned to www.xclusiveblog.com for all updates! Find me on Facebook www.facebook.com/BExclusives Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BExclusives
The Next Generation
"...stay ahead of the game - if its already being done - do something else!"
What about the next generation of graphic design students looking' to do what you've done... what advise can you give them to help them start off and ultimately end up on the path to success?
B: Well, I can't give the key to success because I'm still in pursuit myself. The only advice I can give is to DO YOU! Asking others won't get you the same success. Everyone is different. What got me to this point isn't guaranteed to work for them. Just stay ahead of the game - if its already being done - do something else! Stay up to date on current trends and appreciate the trial by error process! You have to fail a few times so you'll know what NOT to do the next time!!
Thanks so much!
B: Thank you!!
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