Brianna Wise is an author, mentor, creative director, brand strategist and stylist with expertise in the fashion, entertainment and beauty industries. She nurtures visions from creative concept through business development, taking a brand full circle before it goes to market. Wise acts as a creative director and consultant, listening and problem-solving to enhance a business or brand.
Wise’s creative collaborations have been featured among professional performers and athletes working with global companies including SONY, BET, NYFW, Under Armour, Live Nation, Spotify, Warner Brothers, AfroPunk, Paper magazine and CBS.
Please tell us a little bit about your business – what is The Black Apothecary Office Inc all about?
The Black Apothecary Office Inc. | BAO is a new concept model accelerator for Black and Latinx creators, collaborators, and disruptors in the beauty and wellness space. BAO works intensively with start-up brands to get them in the best possible shape to build a viable business, pitch investors, and bring a product to market.
Our mission is to transform the way consumers interact with black-owned beauty and wellness brands. This means establishing lasting connections with beauty & tech startups. Together we want to create a new generation of innovative consumer products, devices, and virtual wellness services.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you started your business?
I am from Baltimore, Maryland. Born and raised. I played basketball from the time I was 8 years old until mid-night madness my freshman year of college. Although I was an athlete, I LOVED fashion. My mother and father were always so well dressed making sure I was as well. I was the one basketball player going to the gym in heels and changing into my Nike’s for the game.
Having a love for fashion I never felt basketball would be my career, so I chose to study business with a minor in fashion merchandising, later joining the fashion club at Marymount University in Arlington, VA. The week I joined the club I attended a trunk show and met a fashion designer who hired me on the spot to intern with him in NY as his PR assistant. From there it was history! Because I was an athlete I had many friends that were drafted to play in the NBA. One in particular would always ask me to style him. He was my 1st personal client, at the time, playing for the Sacramento Kings.
After graduating I traveled back and forth to NY from MD trying to find the right job but it just didn’t work out, so I moved to LA which is when Jae and I met. Through the ups and downs moving back home for 5 years to regroup allowed me to be able to move back to LA. The second time around I fully plated my feet and established myself building a solid book. My resume as a stylist consists of working with Warner Brothers, SONY, Under Armour, Universal, BET, Actors, Professional athletes. The list goes on!
I also began developing my own brands, launching 4 online boutiques for myself and others. This includes building brands from start to finish. From product to market. Styling the brand, becoming the photographer, shooting the products, editing content, building the websites, creating the marketing plan and launch, to selling. The full framework. I love having a vision and seeing it come to life along with just really making people feel good about what they love doing.
With all this experience, it made me want to give back, so during the quarantine I created and launched a book entitled “Becoming A Stylist” storytelling my journey to the road of becoming a successful stylist, the mental you need to be an entrepreneur, and the many jobs available in the industry. I also created and launched an online course teaching the business of styling. This includes how to set your rates, how to brand yourself, how to create a website and logo, how to market yourself, and how to build genuine real relationships within the industry to sustain and grow your career.
I always wondered what all the roles I’ve played would turn into. More so, wondering what would be the best way to help people because I knew my purpose in life as a little girl would simply be of service, to help people around the world in business and creatively. I feel like I am fully walking in my purpose, especially with BAO.
Jae & I met in Los Angeles 2010 at a fashion show. At the time, I had just graduated from college and moved to LA for the 1st time to pursue my wardrobe styling career. My role for the event was to curate outfits working directly under the stylist who brought me on. Unfortunately it was so unorganized I almost lost my head. Jae, who was brought on as PR to bring talent and celebrities to the event, came up to me and said, “you are working your butt off but this is not the vibe for either of us. Come and work with me.” From that day on, he has been my big brother always looking out for me. So, us working together as we have so many times throughout the years was easy when it came to creating BAO.
How do you plan to grow this business?
Currently we have 100 brands within our que who are eager to join the program. Our team is fully invested in raising our seed round of capital in order to finalize the infrastructure of BAO. Through brand partnerships as well as advisors and investors our brand will grow. We plan to begin with 5 cohorts for each batch and expand to 10 within the next 2 years.
What were the top mistakes you made starting your business, and what did you learn from it?
- Being afraid to ask for help or share my dreams: I always knew that I wanted to have a career in service. To be able to help people from the inside out mentally, emotionally, creatively and through business. Through the years I realized there are other people who have the same gift of service which is why it is so important to speak your dreams into existence. With that being said, it is also important to believe in yourself so much that no matter what criticism you may receive you will stay true to your path. There may be family, friends, coworkers etc. who simply do not understand your vision but that is because it is Your vision.
- When I 1st started my businesses I would go in without having the proper paperwork. This at times left me without being paid. From this lesson I learned to always make sure not only to have all of your legal business paperwork together but also your finances. I now teach the proper steps to take to do both.
How do you separate yourself from your competitors?
BAO is the only accelerator with a niche in beauty, health, wellness, and telehealth within the Black and Latinx community. We are also from the community and take pride in cultural integrity making sure that this value lies within our corporation as well as within the brands that come through our accelerator. We are the change we want to see and we know that this alone sets us apart from any other accelerator in the market.
What is one thing that you do daily to grow as an entrepreneur?
I truly believe everything starts within the mind. You must think it, believe it, work hard for it, and then surrender to receiving all that you are seeking to manifest. Every morning before I wake up I pray journal and meditate to set my intentions for the day. I always want to make sure my energy is right because it sets the tone for the day.
I also love to read books and listen to podcasts focused on motivation and business, often listening to Steve Harvey’s Youtube Motivational Speeches, Oprah’s Super Soul podcast, and Grant Cardone’s The Zone.
What are three books or courses you recommend to entrepreneurs?
- The Secret Book by Rhonda Bryne
- The Secret of A Millionaire Mind by T Harve Eker
- Wholeness by Toure Roberts
What is your favorite quote?
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.
“When you undervalue what you do, the world will undervalue who you are.”
– Oprah Winfrey, Entrepreneur
How can we get in touch with you?
- Website: The Black Apothecary Office Inc.
- My social media handle is @briwisestyle. I always make sure to answer all questions!
- My business handle is @bao.community
