About the Brand

Chances are, you think of a snobby girl with her nose in the air who thinks she’s better than everyone. While that’s one interpretation, I’ve taken this usually negative word and spun it to suit me.

Fun fact: One of my cousins is the drive behind how I got the nickname “Bougie J.”

When I was a child, she used to tease me and call me bougie because of the way I would enunciate my words, and (apparently) my overall demeanor (long story lol). Growing up, the girls in the neighborhood used to say I acted like a diva, and it used to make me feel bad because it felt like the confidence I was beginning to discover was something to be ashamed of, or something I should tone down so that I didn’t come off like I thought I was better than anyone else.

Fast forward to high school, I had entered my era of not caring. It didn’t concern me what people thought about me, and I fully embraced being “Bougie J”. Yes, I like nice things. Yes, I take pride in how I look. Yes, I have a strong personality. And you know what? That’s OKAY!

Not everyone has to be “bougie,” but all girls deserve to feel confident in their own skin, unapologetically.

That being said, growing up in the 2000s with the advancement of social media, photoshop, influencers, and all other self-esteem crushers, you can imagine that it wasn’t always easy finding that confidence. In a society where all you see are women being compared to one another, naturally, I did the same. At a young age I found myself planning what plastic surgeries I would like to have, what I would look like if I was thinner, shorter, had a smaller forehead, etc.- and it killed my confidence for a while, but lead to me finding something I would grow very fond of: the beauty industry.

I remember spending hours upon hours on Youtube watching hair and makeup tutorials, buying TeenVogue magazines with tips on fashion and beauty, and practicing eyeshadow looks just to sit in my room and take selfies. (Fun fact: My mom used to chase me around as a child because I’d steal her lipstick and kiss the walls and mirrors so I guess she should’ve seen this coming.) With this, I went to a vocational high school where I would enroll in the Cosmetology program. I would sign up for fashion shows, do a lot of my friends’ hair and makeup, and even briefly started a YouTube channel. From here is where the idea of the beauty bar was born.

In Cosmetology, you learn a little bit of everything, but hair and makeup were my top two favorites. I didn’t know whether I wanted to stick with one or the other and then I thought: Why limit myself when I can do it all? Thus, the idea behind The Bougie Beauty Bar was born. It is currently still in the planning stages, but I’m determined to bring it to fruition.

Lastly, Bougie J the Brand itself is more of a personal brand. It’s an umbrella that ties together everything I’m interested in, offering you guys a chance to get to know me-not just as a business owner, but as a person. Here’s how it all comes together:

• The Blog: As someone navigating the exciting (and sometimes challenging) journey of entrepreneurship, I wanted to create a place to document my journey as an up and coming business owner. Think of it as an open diary for inspiration and real talk.

• The Podcast: (Coming soon!) Brianni’s Breeze brings all the vibes, rants, and a sprinkle of humor. Kick back and engage in some fun, thought-provoking conversations that will keep you entertained.

• The Beauty Bar: My greatest dream in progress! This will be your one-stop sanctuary for self- care and relaxation, offering experiences that make you feel as beautiful as you are.

This project is all about celebrating the journey- because success isn’t just the destination, it’s the challenges and fun you have along the way. So whether you’re here to read, listen, or get pampered, I’m thrilled to have you here. Thank you for your support!