Meet Kenya Sade | Owner/CEO of BBgirllooks

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kenya Sade and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kenya, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Before I started this business I was in a confused state of mind regarding my future. I had graduated college years prior and still felt like I was missing something. I didn’t want the behind the desk 24/7 job..quite frankly I didn’t want any job that had a boss. It just wasn’t me; it never has been. When I started this business the thoughts in my head was to work for myself and not go broke haha. I never liked working for anyone and I knew someday I would do what I wanted to, which is fashion. All in all, my thought process was scrambled. I was torn between the thought of what if I can’t pull it off and what if nobody buys anything. I literally quit my law firm job to pursue this business in 2019 and never looked back. It was like a weight had been lifted and that’s when I knew I had to put in 1000% to get where I want! I didn’t really have a “plan” per se, I just knew I wanted to show the world what I’m capable of. I’ve always been into displaying my style in an unconventional way. So, I thought why not start an online boutique where I can display looks and style them how I would dress. That’s when I thought of BBgirllooks. I thought about how I’ve always wanted to own an in store boutique and essentially become a stylist as well; but that’s going to take time. I thought this would be the perfect way for me to showcase each talent by styling my models and hand picking each look. Like I tell my BB’s, “Here is where we express ourselves undeniably. If anyone ever said anything about your style; they were blind to it”. I came up with that based off the fact not everyone is going to like what you wear, but you also shouldn’t care. I wanted to be able to express to everyone that cultivating your own style is a blessing and you shouldn’t let anyone deter you from your unique choices. I like to think I manifested BBgirllooks. I decided to take that leap of faith, no matter the fear of striking out. It gets really difficult sometimes, but I’m extremely happy I did.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
So I’m going to sound a tad bit vain, but I’ve always been a stand out not a stand in. I say that because what separates me from others is simply I am not others. Everything I do I do it differently. If everyone’s wearing one thing I’m wearing the other. I never tried to conform and I never will. I think that’s what sets me apart because I believe in my art and my craft wholeheartedly and I don’t care what anyone has to say about it. I genuinely enjoy getting dressed up and going somewhere because I know for a fact no one will be there in the same look as me and I will be standing out. I think what I’m most proud about is my eye. My eye for seeing things differently, for example, I could take 3 items and give you 3 different looks with those same 3 items. I’m big on versatility. I actually haven’t ever wore the same exact outfit twice (excluding hoodies and sweats). I have this voice inside my head that says “you look like May 20th, 2020” and I end up switching it up haha. I also rarely go shopping so everything is always being repurposed whether it’s cut up or sewn together. There’s this one dress I was selling that I made a video of in which I was able to change the look of it 4 different ways without adding anything! I’m excited about learning new ways to perfect my craft while also not losing my creative touch. I got to where I am today professionally by simply being me. I didn’t change my vision about anything. I put my mind to it and I stuck beside it. It definitely was not easy. From the people that were naysayers to the people that were just truly not supportive. I overcame that by not going against my word and never giving up. There wasn’t days I wanted to give up, but there were definitely days where I was up crying because things didn’t go my way. Like how about this, the night I decided to build my website from scratch I spent about 4 hours on it and everything deleted! I wanted to throw everything out the window I promise you, but instead I (cried) went to the living room and started all over. It took me about 14 hrs to rebuild my website and perfect it. That was definitely an all nighter for the books, but I finished and my website looks fantastic! The lessons I’ve learned along the way are not everyone sees your vision and they’re not supposed to. Also I’ve come to learn that the people who you thought would be in your corner the most are definitely not. The strangers have came through for me more than people I’ve known for years and it says something. I just keep it in the back of my head and let it feed me to the top. I also learned that hard work pays off. I’ve spent countless nights staying up all day and night to upload content, create content, edit content, orchestrate photoshoots and more! It’s really only me so I have to make sure everything is up to par. What I would want the world to know about my brand and story is I’m really a woman who wanted to pave my own path by being my truest self. I would also like to say I’m adding “Styling” to my website as a product so people (and groups) are able to book me to style them for music videos, commercials, photoshoots etc! My brand is supported tremendously by my BB’s who have stood by me since the beginning. I’m super grateful for everyone who has sent me kind words, words of wisdom or even just complimenting my drive; it does mean the world to me! BBgirllooks will always be here to ensure you are dressed to impress. I welcome everybody, even the gworls! My sizes range from xs-2xl because we welcome all body types here! Inclusivity is definitely key when it comes to me and I cannot stress that enough. We are truly all beautiful. In addition, I just want to say I won the “Best Dressed” superlative in high school and I’m 29 years old now so just wanted to point out I’m true to this not new to this haha.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my friend were visiting from out of town I would first go meet them at the airport because ride-sharing companies? Yea no. Say she got here in the morning I would say we should go check out Savin Hill Bar & Grill for their breakfast because it is amazing and the drinks are even better! Next we would go to mini golf because let’s face it, it’s a blast. She would complain about losing, but would of course have a good time. After that we’d probably have to go take a nap and call it a day because she’s tired and I love naps haha. The next day we would definitely sit in the house or her hotel room if she chose to get one and just catch up on life. We all know how soothing it is to just relax and take a break sometimes. That’s what we should normalize on vacations. After this I would suggest we go have a picnic at one of my favorite beaches because the scenery is relaxing. Then I’d plan a trip to the Museum of Fine Arts so we can practice living our soft girl lifestyles that allow us to do whatever it is we want while feeling light doing it. After that I’d then ask her what she’s interested in doing and honestly let her take control of plans because she may find hidden gems I never even knew about.

The most exciting places for me right now are beaches, nature and house sightseeing. Yes, house sightseeing. The beach and nature have been the apple of my eye for some time now because it’s just utter beauty right in front of us. I feel a sense of calmness every-time I’m near them. As for house sight-seeing I’ll be in a neighborhood that has beautiful mansions and estates and I just love the architecture of them. Maybe that’s what comes with being an adult. The most exciting people I meet are by accident, like people that randomly start speaking to me and their conversations just stick with me. I think those are the people I’m destined to meet to tell me things I may or may not want to hear. It’s refreshing for sure.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I feel like the book “Sacred Woman” played a huge role in my willingness to go all in with BBgirllooks. I was told by a stranger to read the book because he said it would resonate with me and I had something special in me that I needed to read it. I honestly didn’t even think he was crazy I just thought everything happens for a reason. I started reading it and it was like something had shifted in me and I was instantly hungrier for success. Ever since then my whole perception of life really changed. I know it sounds cliché, but it really opened up my mind. I haven’t even finished it yet, but just the amount that I have read makes me feel whole and like I can accomplish everything. It definitely deserves a shoutout because it pushed me to be better, but at the same time gave me healing. I also would have to give an enormous shoutout to my supporters who are here organically and make me happy to have this business. If it weren’t for them I wouldn’t even be in the position I’m in now so they definitely deserve their flowers!

Website: www.bbgirllooksbykenyasade.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/bbgirllooks

Twitter: www.twitter.com/bbgirllooks

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bbgirllooksbykenyasade

Youtube: www.YouTube.com/bbgirllooksbykenyasade

Yelp: BBgirllooks by Kenya Sade