The concept of collaboration is one of the heaviest weapons, a small-business owner has in their arsenal. Despite the type of business you have or the industry you are in, who you know, and the ways you collaborate with individuals [in your space] can influence the growth of your business and its position in the market. Alexis Scott, a fellow hamptonian and founder of The Bad Girl Network, is bringing that collaborative weapon to the forefront for many small business owners.
Don’t Let Go Of Your Confidence, Confidence Gets You Far.
Hampton alumna Alexis Scott formed TheBadGirlNetwork with the purpose to bring together black, women-led businesses, sharing valuable resources, and more importantly, connecting these women. “Being in college and being around a lot of entrepreneurs inspired me to create the organization,” mentioned Alexis of her inspiration behind TheBadGirlNetwork. Before the birth of her brand, she recalls a time where her tenure at Hampton University almost came to an end due to a financial situation. Distraught by the mere thought of leaving Hampton, Alexis outsourced financial resources and information, provided by her campus friends. “People who were a part of some of the organizations I was in, would repost my financial story on their instagram stories and just support me in any way they could.” Recounting her experience, Alexis wondered how many other students lacked the support network she had and ways she could help bridge the gap between people and resources. “Sometimes on campus, this person might sell lashes and another person might sell hair, then someone else might be selling press-on nails and none of them would know one another and I wanted to change that,” Said Alexis of the brand’s mission. While on campus, Alexis and her 16 bad girl members offered heel classes, participated in pop-up tables, and ran bake sales during the holidays. They’ve partnered up with brands such as The Black College Business Women Connection, Ripple Match, and New Era Models on a number of activities like giveaways, back-to-school tools, and scholarships. To date, TheBadGirlNetwork has curated and shared directories that include 90+ brands and highlighting more than 30 bosses ladies with their Instagram followers and has helped to connect students with jobs and internship opportunities.
Keep Going Don’t Let Anyone Tell you, You Can’t
As COVID-19 accelerated social distance initiatives across the country, a lot of small businesses turned to a number of pop-shop events that could provide instant profit and notoriety for their businesses. In response, Alexis’s mom- Wanda Scott- took her bracelet business to pop-up shops around the DMV area, in hopes to create an income for herself after no longer being employed. Inspired by her mom’s efforts, whose business saw 4-figures in revenue at a pop-shop amid the uncertainty, last year, Alexis began joining her mom at those venues. It was there that she connected with one of the owners of the venues, who later persuaded Alexis to host her very own pop-up. Partnering up with business owners around the DMV area, Alexis created an opportunity for black, women-led business owners to network and showcase their businesses on Feb. 21.
On that Sunday, Alexis had 24 vendors show up to her event, which took place in Maryland. The tables were filled with vendors that offered skincare, candles, accessories, food products, and more. TBGN even had their table as well, showcasing phone case accessories and other merch that the brand offers. “I even had two vendors drive all the way from Philadelphia to be a part of my pop-up shop, I was so happy they came,” Declared Alexis, who admits she almost canceled the event due to unpredictable weather changes. Overall, the event was a success and she looks forward to having many more in the future.
The Future of Networking
When asked what plans she has in store for TheBadGirlNetwork, Alexis is hoping to release more products such as apparel and planners that sport the phrase “Bad” which stems from the words (B)ossy, (A)mbitious, and (D)estined. A-three-letter word that describes the brand’s efforts and their mission to support inspiring and aspiring bossy, ambitious and destined women to find their purpose, connecting and bringing awareness to different career fields. As for networking spaces, Alexis wanted to own a piece of property that will allow other women to host their own pop-shop and events at her space.