Today we’d like to introduce you to Delicia Brown.
Delicia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a child, I dreamed of being a fashion designer but my passion slowly turned towards graphic design as early as the 6th grade. I remember winning a competition in intermediate school and my design was published on t-shirts for my entire grade, my family was so proud.
As I got older, I started taking courses at the Area Technical Center at Jonesboro High School for graphic design. I won a competition in my first year and my design became the new school logo. It was published on shirts, the website, and put on the building for years to come. I remember my mother riding past the building several times because of how proud she was. My graphic design teacher Mr. Drake convinced me to go to state my senior year for graphic design and I placed second. I think that was the moment I realized graphic design was my passion.
I went to ASU for graphic design but did not finish my degree. Unfortunately, my mother passed away when I was 20 years old and I lost passion. I started working in factories but in 2018 everything changed for me after attending Essence Fest in New Orleans. I witnessed so much black excellence that weekend, when I returned home I decided I wanted to start a brand that made an impact on my community and a few months later. Blkluv Apparel now known as Made with Blkluv was born!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road most definitely has not been smooth. I’ve faced several challenges along the way these past 4 years. My brand was created to promote self-love, cultural love, and unity. In the beginning, it was hard for me to push my brand, especially in my hometown.
The population of black people in Jonesboro is 17.9% so you can imagine the type of back lash I received from promoting my brand. I was called a racist by both black and white people, I would get crazy looks for wearing my brand in public, but I never let that stop me. And here I am 4 years later still pushing the message of black love, self-love and unity.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Made with Blkluv?
Made with Blkluv is a clothing brand established in 2019 to promote self-love, cultural love, and unity.
My brand is an interpretation of what black love means to me. When I think of the subject the first thing that comes to mind is loving my beautiful black skin despite what others may think of me. Black love is also uniting the black community, it’s buying black, it’s knowing and understanding black history but most importantly black love is family.
My parents were married for 41 years before my mother’s passing in 2012 their love story is what made me the woman I am today!
I quit my job in August to push my brand like never before. Since quitting I’ve vended at 14 events in the following cities…
Nashville, TN
Atlanta, GA
Little Rock, AR
Houston, TX
Dallas, TX
High Point, NC
I’m on a mission to push my brand by any means necessary. My ultimate goal is to vend at Essence Fest since that is where my dream started I plan to make this happen soon.
Every event is a blessing and a lesson. One of my reels recently went viral on Instagram about my vendor experiences. I traveled 12 hours for an event and only made $200 that didn’t even cover the vendor fee plus the gas but on the bright side, I got the opportunity to meet the couple that’s supported my brand since 2021.
John has been purchasing from my brand since January 2021. He and his fiancé Vanessa have placed over 20 orders combined over the past 3 years.
They’re the most supportive people I’ve met thus far. This year they started a new tradition “Blkluv Thursdays”! Every Thursday they wear my brand and post social proof, I joke about the two of them having more Blkluv than me but It may be true! Meeting the two of them is the highlight of my entrepreneurial career.
I also want to shout out the people who model for my brand. (Uko, EJ, Cristian, Ninmah, Jaz and Tanika and Gina) I no longer call them models they are family. The smiles you see on their faces are genuine. Every shoot we laugh, play, and have an amazing time enjoying one another’s company.
They are always down when I need them! I love them all equally but I do want to give a special shout out to Tanika she’s been with me the longest. She was there when we were doing shoots on the north side of Jonesboro in a photographer’s homeboy’s living room with canned goods holding up the backdrop! She never complains and refuses to accept a dime from me! I just wanted to give her the flowers she deserves.
How do you define success?
Success isn’t defined by the type of car you drive, the type of house you live in, or the type of lifestyle you live.
To me, success is never giving up on your dreams. I feel we live in a world that is driven by the lifestyles we see on social media and a lot of people think they’re behind because of it! You’re successful for starting and sticking with the business.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.madewithblkluv.net
- Instagram: Instagram.com/madewithblkluv
- Facebook: Facebook.com/madewithblkluv
- Youtube: YouTube.com/madewithblkluv
- Other: TikTok.com/madewithblkluv
Image Credits
Daniel Hurst – D Hurst Photography
