Claima Stories with Bimma

Franklin shares a story about cutting hair in Cleveland, OH to starting his own barbershop in Portland, OR and using his new classic logo to open his latest location.

Franklin Whatley is the owner of Classic Men Barbershop, based in Portland, OR.

The Claima Stories with Bimma: Community Stories series is presented by 99designs by Vistaprint, as part of the 99 Days of Design initiative.

Learn more at
99designs.com/99daysofdesign

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories

Jade Purple Brown shares story about leaving corporate America.

About Claima Stories with Bimma:

Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.

Subscribe: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories

Jon Humphrey is a Louisiana streetwear  entrepreneur with Cali roots. Born and raised in San Fernando Valley, California. Jon grew up a shy kid  and a love of art and football. Growing up with a single mom, money was tight so he’d spruce up his gear with customizations to stay fresh at school. But when he got his first job at Champs, sneakers became kind of an obsession, but also the social nature of his job allowed Jon to come out of shell and combat his shyness. When he was 19, his mother moved them to New Orleans, LA, to help with his grandparents. Instantly feeling like a fish out of water, and there were some roadblocks after moving, when it comes to enrolling in school. The move led to a short bout with depression. But it was when a cousin took him the Southern Homecoming in Baton Rouge, that he learned about what Louisiana culture is all about. 

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit. Jon leaves New Orleans for Baton Rouge to wait out the storm. (Of course, he left with two pairs of Jordans.) However, like so many at that time, returned home to everything destroyed. His family was displaced to San Antonio, where Jon took his FEMA check and enrolled in barber school and moved back to Baton Rouge. With that skill, Jon got a job at a local barber shop and started to build a community for himself, but moved back to New Orleans, and low-key became the hottest barber in the city.

Hanging out at a local streetwear shops near the barbershop he was working at, Jon began to build a relationship with the guys there. They liked him so much, they offered him a job. It was when he went to Agenda for the first time, and became engulfed in the world of streetwear and fashion. But All Star Weekend 2015, Jon was inspired to create his own brand, Beignet Boys, inspired by some of his favorite rappers, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, and Griselda. He made 3 shirts and he sold 3 shirts. Then it started to grow bigger and bigger, and is still growing even getting shout outs from New Orleans Pelican stars Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart.  Beignet Boys might be new, but it’s already leaving an impact on the New Orleans community and beyond.

About Claima Stories with Bimma: 

Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.

Subscribe: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories

Jon Humphrey shares a story about going to Agenda / Magic for the first time.

About Claima Stories with Bimma:

Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.

Subscribe: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories

Mariana shares a story about picking up a camera at 16 to becoming a commercial photographer, and leveraging her updated brand mark to expand her business into a studio.

Mariana is the founder of Mariana Sheppard Studio, based in New Orleans, LA.

The Claima Stories with Bimma: Community Stories series is presented by 99designs by Vistaprint, as part of the 99 Days of Design initiative.

Learn more at
99designs.com/99daysofdesign

June Ambrose is the mind behind some of hip hops most iconic looks From Jay-Z to Missy Elliott. Born in Antigua and raised in the south Bronx, June grew up as a latch key kid, whose creativity and entrepreneurial spirit was unmatched at a very early age. Despite living in the rough Bronx in the 70s and 80s, her mother, made sure she got the chance to see as many different experiences as she possibly could, from her aunt working at CBS studios to being a product of the fresh air fund program.

A student at a performing arts high school, she studied theater and when she wasn’t on the stage, she learned how to tell stories though costume design. June always used fashion as a way to express herself and a way to hide her teenage insecurities. With a flair for style, a winning smile, and a sharp personality, June took advantage of every opportunity that came her way. After high school, She worked at an investment firm as a researcher, and although the money was great, she was bored to tears. 

Leaving that, to intern at a record label in the marketing department, and thinking like costume designer... When the opportunity came to style a young artist, she raised her hand, with no experience just a love of fashion and gumption. She learned on the job, learning how to work with fashion houses, budgets,  and learning how to style for the camera as opposed to the stage. June was starting to figure out how to give hip hop a voice through fashion.

About Claima Stories with Bimma:

Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now. 

Subscribe: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories

June Ambrose shares story about working with Jay Z.

About Claima Stories with Bimma:

Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging BIPOC creatives about how they were able to break into the notoriously guarded creative and sneaker industries. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, and James Whitner. Listen and Subscribe now.

Subscribe: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claimastories/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/claimastories

Brittany shares a story about her journey of going from model to entrepreneur, and leveraging her new branding to take Body Melt to national retailers.  

 Brittany Nicholas is the founder of Body Melt, a beauty and wellness business based in New Orleans, LA. 

The Claima Stories with Bimma: Community Stories series is presented by 99designs by Vistaprint, as part of the 99 Days of Design initiative.

Learn more at
99designs.com/99daysofdesign

A story about a bold, contemporary globe logo for a creative film production company documenting trends impacting the current generation. Nik Popp is the founder of Puurple World Productions. A creative film company that was founded in 2015 and based in Portland, OR. 

The Claima Stories with Bimma: Community Stories series is presented by 99designs by Vistaprint, as part of the 99 Days of Design initiative. 

Learn more at 
99designs.com/99daysofdesign