Superior Conversations

Living in Answered Prayers with Bria Charlise

• Denise Hunter • Season 1 • Episode 2

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In Episode 2 of Superior Conversations, Denise “KoKo Brown” sits down with Bria Charlise, owner and creative force behind Foreign Closet, for an honest conversation about growth, faith, healing, entrepreneurship, and recognizing the life you once prayed for.

Together, they discuss becoming intentional about the future you desire, navigating grief, trusting your vision, and learning how to slow down long enough to acknowledge your growth.

Bria shares the story behind building Foreign Closet, studying internationally, stepping into fashion, honoring her late father’s legacy, and developing the confidence to trust herself even before the results showed up.

This episode is a reminder that answered prayers do not always arrive loudly. Sometimes they look like healing, discipline, alignment, and becoming.

Stay connected with Bria:

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/iambriacharlise/

Foreign Closet:
https://www.instagram.com/shopforeigncloset/

Website:
https://foreigncloset.com


Follow Superior Conversations and subscribe for weekly mindset conversations rooted in growth, discipline, and purpose.


SPEAKER_02

I have an anointed over my life and I know that. So I have to be obedient and responsible with that. I can't do what other people do because God's gonna make an example out of me every time. Every time. Every time. Every time.

SPEAKER_01

I'm right here with you.

SPEAKER_02

And I just be like, I'm not gonna lie. You can do it one time. I done told you before. I'm like, I'm on a strong soldier list again. Like, remove me immediately. What what that okay? I'm not trying to talk about that man on the TikTok. Well, he says, cut the cameras off. I'm done. Like, that'd be me almost every other week, okay? Because I'm like, huh.

SPEAKER_03

All right, guys. So we have my very first guest. Not only is this someone where her and I share very long voice memos, and she's one-third of the K Camp concert trio, but she's Dallas born and raised, owner and creative force behind Foreign Closet, a contemporary fashion brand, and that she founded in 2016, that blends craftsmanship, storytelling, and innovation and tech. Her company specializes in unisex leather, goods, and apparel designs that elevate everyday style while honoring sustainability, individuality, and quality. Okay, so Foreign Closet has walked the runway internationally. She's a feature designer in Paris Fashion Week because her vision doesn't just stay local, it travels. She's also been featured in Vanity Fair. She's known as Billionaire B, Jumbotron Bria. And now she's given back teaching at our alma mater, the University of North Texas, and the College of Merchandising and Digital Retailing. She's energy, she's a visionary. Her face has light up the billboards in Times Square and New York Times Square. And last but absolutely never least, she's created a nonprofit foundation honoring her late father, Charles E. Whitaker Jr. And she's gracefully joining us today. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to bring you Superior Conversation's very first guest, Bria Whitaker.

SPEAKER_02

Oh I'm honored. Hey girl. How are you? I'm doing great. How are you? Happy Saturday. Happy Saturday.

SPEAKER_03

How are you feeling? I feel good. Okay, period. Come on. So I am very excited to have you here today. I'm excited too. Are you ready to get into it?

SPEAKER_02

Let's go.

SPEAKER_03

Okay. Bring the smoke. That was funny. So let's start at the beginning. Where does your journey truly begin? At what age did you first realize you had a special gift or passion? And how did that shape you early on?

SPEAKER_02

Yes, I would definitely say, like, when I was leaving, what was that? Elementary, going into middle school, I'll never forget one of my teachers had told me she was like, your energy is like a magnet. Like people are going to naturally gravitate to you. And at the time, you know, when you're in middle school, you like, okay, like, I don't even know what you're talking about. Like, I knew what she was talking about, but it didn't really dawn on me until I got older. And then, you know, like I started noticing, like, okay, you know, my energy is like a like a magnet, you know, and I have to have that discernment on how I use my energy. Right. Um, so I really think my energy is like one of my superpowers, honestly. So yeah.

SPEAKER_03

I would agree. I would agree. I would say your energy is very contagious. Um, like, even if it's just watching your story, like you're just always so bubbly. You just be smiling. Like, I don't even know why I'm smiling, but I'm like, I love that. No, and honestly, so I mean, it starts there, and I guess the next question would be, you know, like, okay, so you've you discovered your energy in like middle school, but how did you first like realize that you wanted to go into fashion? Like, what is what has this journey been like? I would say, you know, starting from there, but like, what was your first introduction to fashion that made you be like, okay, this is the lane that I want to go down?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, I would definitely say as a kid, like the first person is my dad. Um, he was really big into fashion when he was in high school. He won best dress, different things like that. So just seeing him, he was like, You're gonna be smart, you're gonna be book smart, you're gonna have a little street smart, you're gonna do all of that, we're gonna be good, but you gotta be fly. And so, like, he taught me, like, basically what they say, put it on.

SPEAKER_01

Right.

SPEAKER_02

And then, of course, as I got older, I developed my own style and tweaked it a little bit. And then um, another person who influenced me when it came to fashion was my brother Eric. Um, I just really adore him. That is that's my little bean. Um, and I just adore him because it's like he just does him and he does it like effortlessly. So it's just like his style.

SPEAKER_03

It's like it's not too much, but it's it's like simple, but in a good way. But it's fly.

SPEAKER_02

But we have two different styles, and that's okay, you know, but his confidence, like his confidence, my dad's confidence, it's just like they inspire me. And then my late um grandmother, we call her Mima, which is my mom's mom. Okay. Um, that's where I got like my girliness from because heels, purses, furs, pearls, all of that. I mean, I'm in her bathroom looking at her makeup, walking out, you know how the girls do with the heels. And I'm like, Mima, can I put on your pearls for today? You know, like so I would say those three people definitely influenced it. And then when I got to high school and DeSoto, shout out to DeSoto High School. Um, when I went to DeSoto.

SPEAKER_03

T G L. I'm sorry.

SPEAKER_02

You can continue. When I went to DeSoto, um, I remember taking a fashion design class, and I was really intrigued. Like I grew up enjoying fashion, and even this is not to share my age, but this is when Best, not Best Buy, um, Blockbuster was out in the teenage, right? Yeah. No, I'm seeing like the viewer. Yeah, the viewer there. Some people don't know what Blockbuster is. So I remember like on Friday nights, Saturdays, we'll go to Blockbuster, everybody pick out their movie. And while we was in the checkout line, I'm like, can I get this Teen Vogue magazine and this cause, you know, Cosmopolitan, different things like that. Mama was like, add it to the card, girl. So, you know, like looking at that side, but then also my family, they influenced me. But like what I said, when I got to high school, I realized DeSuto offered two fashion classes, fashion design and fashion marketing. And back then, people were just kind of taking it for like an easy credit. But I was really intrigued. I was taking notes. I had my little sewing machine. Like, I was, I'll never forget this girl. Was like, you really took that class serious and you really like did something with it. So when people wasn't really taking it serious or skipping, like I was literally, yes, I was really tapped in. Like, I was really like, I think I love this. Okay. So then it just kind of, you know, went from there. So best decision ever. Okay, no, I love that.

SPEAKER_03

So can you take us back to the first project? Like, what is your very first project? And you know, what was that experience like?

SPEAKER_02

Mmm, that's a good one. I would say, wait, my first project for Foreign Closet or just first creative project?

SPEAKER_03

I'll say your first creative project that helped spark you into like entrepreneurship.

SPEAKER_02

Okay. Um, I would say back in college, undergrad, when I went to the University of North Texas, um, the Maymester of 2014, I was able to study abroad. So we went to Hong Kong in China. Um, and that whole experience, like just traveling, has always been like something that inspired me when I'm I'm like making my designs or doing something fashion related. So being able to travel overseas, that was my first time going overseas, and then I went to Hong Kong at that. So the flight time, crazy. But you were how old at this time? 2014. I don't know. I was in undergrad. I was in my 20s. Early 20s. Early 20s, though. I was in early 20s.

SPEAKER_03

Make sure that we're tracking the timeline because you've already been to Hong Kong. You've already done this.

SPEAKER_02

Okay, so very early in. It probably was like 22, 23, maybe. Maybe. No, I take that back. No, no, no, no, no. I don't know. I was in my early 20s, let's just say that. I don't remember. But in international. Yes, international. And so, like, that was a big deal. My family was like, we don't know about all that. But I was like, I'm going. So it was good because when we went to Hong Kong and China, we was able to look at the manufacturing side of the industry, also logistics. Um, I was a logistics basically minor. My minor was logistics and um marketing. So it's one thing to be in those lectures and you know, looking at the slides, and you're like, okay, this is cool. But to actually see it, like be at a port where you see all the ships and all these brands like loading, and then you just see them sail away. You know, it's like I'm visual. So CNN connected and um meeting manufacturers, now looking back at it, like that was, it seemed like that was like God planting the seeds to do what I'm already doing because I didn't start a foreign closet until 2016, the fall, November of 2016. So this was May 2014. This way before I even knew I really wanted to do this for like for real, for real. So to have that experience, um, to travel internationally twice, um, it really just opened up my mindset. And then I was like, it made me see it was more out there than a New York, than a Dallas, you know, and things like that. So I just feel like my mind would just really just start like getting super creative. And I was just like, okay, this is cool. I I'm definitely in the right industry and I'm in the right field. But at that time, I didn't know what exactly I wanted to do within the field in 2014, if that makes sense.

SPEAKER_03

No, that makes a lot of sense. And exposure, I like stand on ten toes. Like exposure is one of the best things. Like will open up your mind, and the options just honestly become limitless. So, you know, just even hearing that you were be you were able to go international and see that like foreign closet makes sense. It makes so much sense. So I agree with you saying um, you know, God was planting those seeds because it's it's the alignment for me.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, but it's crazy because you only can have that aha moment when you look now. Back then, you know, you just like I'm just going with the motion, I'm just trying to graduate, you know.

SPEAKER_03

And I mean that is the purpose of staying in it because it's always hindsight. Right. Like, regardless of what we think we see, it's always hindsight, right? Sure. Okay, so who or what influenced your strong work ethic? I feel like I do know the answer to this question, but I will say, um let me see. I don't want to work with this question with like what I know. I'm gonna quiz you. What you got? I'm giving the question. Okay. Um let me see. So I feel like with this question, like who influenced your work ethic? To me, I think this is really funny, right? So me and again, me and Bria send very long voice memos. And Bria will be like, I got six jobs and I'm trying to get this eighth job. And I'd be like, Bria. You know, like it's never a it can't get done. It's always uh, what else do I need to do to get this done? Right. Even if it's this one little thing, like I'm finna go, I'm gonna go um like do this route. Right. Just sure will to make this next move, I think it's just amazing because most people will just sit there and just try to figure out like, what is it that I need to, you know, pull together to like, but they'll spend much time thinking about it.

SPEAKER_02

Not enough executing, not enough executing. Um it's okay to dream, but you gotta put a little action behind that dream too. And then a little faith. Because you can be doing the action, but if you don't have no faith, then what are we really doing?

SPEAKER_03

Running around in circles. So agree. So, like when it comes to that work ethic, um, and just that mindset of behind like no, it's not an option. Like, where did that come from?

SPEAKER_02

Um, I think a lot of people know this answer, but if you don't, definitely my dad off the tops. And my grandma, my dad's mom. Okay. Um, that's boss lady right there. That's the real boss lady. That's the queen. I'm I'm the princess. I'm up next on the throne, okay? But definitely my grandma, um, and then my dad for sure. But my dad always told me, like, whatever you want to do, do it. And that's that's your plan A. You don't have a plan B or you don't have a plan C because plan A is gonna work if you have the right mindset and you put your mind to it. So hearing that at an early age, all the way up to 13 before he before he passed, I was already, he was already molding and shifting my mindset. So that's why it's not hard now because it's like it became a habit, even when it's hard, you know. So I would definitely say my dad for sure, for sure, definitely influenced me. My dad was a Dallas firefighter and a paramedic. Um, but he always had like an entrepreneurial like gig or business to the side, you know, to have more money and not even just to have more money, but just to network and just learn. Like my dad loved to learn. So my mom loves to learn too. So I just I think I get it from both of them. Um, so yeah, I would definitely say them to boss lady grandma and then my dad for sure. Okay, okay.

SPEAKER_03

Um, and so going back to um just saying like you started, I actually I want to talk about okay, you went to Hong Kong first, right? Let's let's let's paint this picture, right? Of becoming foreign closet.

unknown

Okay.

SPEAKER_03

So you went to Hong Kong and China? Is that what you said?

SPEAKER_02

Hong Kong and China in May 2014, and then I did the other international tour. So these are international tours through my college. Okay. So when I went to the University of North Texas, I was a merchandising major with a minor in marketing and logistics. So within the college, they have their own international study tours. Okay. So May of 2020, no, not 24, I'm sorry. May 2014, that was Hong Kong and China. Okay. And then I did it again for the second international tour, which is Europe. So for Europe, we went to Europe, Paris, and London. Okay. So we looked into other things in the fashion industry when we went to to Europe, more on the creative direction, um, manufacturing, different things like that. But each study tour focused on different things. So China was more so supply chain, um, like vendors, the manufacturing, and then Europe was more so creative, trend forecasting, all of those different things. Okay. Just to kind of sum it up.

SPEAKER_03

Okay, no, that's good. Okay, and so, and then what next? Because so I'm trying to, I want you to be able to paint the story of like creating it. Because I had the idea to create um superior at UNT and a fashion class as well, but mine was sparked out of like uh like it was a bit of depression, but it was a bit of like I can't allow anyone else to make these, you know, these decisions for me. Like, I have to be the one in control of my life. So it I came up with that idea in 2014 as well. Now that I think about it, and I didn't release it until 2016, period. I love it. Um but I just know, like, in between, the moment that made me like push and say, go ahead and do superior is when I started DJing. And it was like, okay, if I'm gonna be DJing, then I need to be wearing my own brand. So like let me go ahead and like really push, like just dive deep into this idea. Right. So I would say, what was that moment for you of like, you know what? Let me do this.

SPEAKER_02

Right. Um, so I graduated UNT fast forward. I graduated UNT spring, so the May of 2016. Um, and those first few months out of college, I feel like we don't talk enough about that. Like, college you and post-college you are two different people, you know. So I feel like I was trying to find my way. Then on top of that, I mean, I'm entering the real world. So honestly, being a merchandising major, it was a little discouraging when I did graduate because I feel like I had all this experience and knowledge and these great internships and all of that, but I could not get a job. Like, I cannot get a job, a high-paying job, like out of school. And I'm just like, did I choose the wrong major? Like, I did all this hard work. What's going on? These little pennies. Where's the money? Where's the money? I can't do this. So that's when I was like, okay, I'm gonna just do my own stuff. I'm about to pop it. You know, like I'm gonna do my own stuff. I don't know what I'm doing, but hey, I'm about to figure it out. You know how I am, I'm gonna figure it out, and then I'm gonna just start somewhere. So I took my knowledge from working in luxury retail, my buying and merchandising internships, my classes, study abroad. I took all that experience and I was like, okay, I saw what those companies were doing when I was working there, but I also saw the voids and the gaps or the issues that they weren't doing or the needs they weren't fulfilling. Because mind you, I'm first hand. I'm on, I'm on the floor, you know, especially in luxury retail. So I was like, I'm gonna just create my own stuff. I didn't have a budget at the time. I'm fresh out of college, I barely can get a job, you know. So I literally just started off with like graphic tees. And I knew I really loved menswear when I did my internship with Nordstrom when I graduated at UNT. So I wanted to do something in the menswear lane, but it kind of started off in like a streetwear type thing. So like embroidery hats, screen printing, DTG on like hoodies and stuff like that. So I started that because I didn't know how to manufacture at that time, but I knew about the process, but I just didn't know how to do it for my own brand. So I started with that and then it just kind of went from there. Um, and then 2020, when COVID happened, I wanted to pick on a new skill. So um I flew to Chicago, I went to this leather making school, and that was the birth of really the introduction to leather goods. So that was 2020. I didn't launch my first leather good until holiday of 2021. Okay. So I didn't do it until like over almost a little over a year later because I wanted to really make sure I knew what I was doing. And I started finding leather mentors and stuff like that, just because I wanted to test my product first before I just started releasing this to other people. And this was a whole new lane for me, creating my own leather goods versus working with Louis Vuitton or Michael Coors or stuff like that. You know, that introduced me to leather, but doing your own thing, I didn't really know. But things just start falling into place, and you know, again, I just use that transferable skills, and then yeah, the rest is history in the leather good lane. That's my lane. Like, that's my niche, that's my lane, and it's take, we're gonna take off like a rocket.

SPEAKER_03

You've already taken off. And I mean, it sounds easy what you're saying, but the everyday person is not like, oh, I'm just finna take this big old leap. Like, I'm finna go to Chicago and I'm fin, I'm getting ready to, you know, like take this leather good. Like, that's it's one thing to find something in your city, but it's something else to say, I'm gonna get on a flight and I'm gonna go out here and you know, dream big. So, um, and I guess maybe just ask that. Like, you know, talk about your mindset when it comes to making these decisions of and like how do you know, like this is and you may not know, but like, how do you know this is the next move? Like, this is what I should do right now. Like, I should get on this flight and I should go do this, or I should apply for this program.

SPEAKER_02

Um, I mean, a part of it is if I'm unsure, or even if I am sure, I'm just gonna pray on it. And then on top of that, I kind of use my discernment, like, if I know what I want to do, this could be the step to what I need to do. And so again, it was during COVID, so we can't go too far, you know. So I was even blessed to be able to get on a flight to go to Chicago, you know? And so when I knew I really wanted to do this, I just got on Google. This was for Chat GPT, obviously. So I just got on Google and I just started Googling leather good schools, and then I started looking at um locations, I started looking at budgets, I started looking at like flight times. I mean, not flight times, but just like flights and hotels, because obviously I'm going out of Dallas, you know. So, I mean, I just think my mindset was just do it. You know, like the worst thing that can happen is it just don't work. But at least this is another skill that I've learned because I've actually gained mentorships when I was there and, you know, like peers who are in the um leather good market as well. So I think sometimes people can look at that too as like competition, but I look at it as like collaboration, you know, because we all have our own lanes within the leather good industry, if that makes sense. And I just feel like it's enough money out here for all of us to win. Um, it don't matter if you sell badge, just like we might sell the same type of purses, but what makes you unique and what makes me unique is totally different because I know I'm gonna put my little wrestle dads alone now, you know? So yeah.

SPEAKER_03

No, and that's and I I believe that that is just having confidence of being in your own lane and honestly running your own race. But you don't have time to look and see, like, okay, what is this person's doing? And it shows. And it's like it's so funny because um you can talk about like Know competition or whatever, but as long as you're running your own race, you know, and you're focused on that. I truly believe that you know, like in a line with God, like that's the big one. You know, even if someone is in competition with you, like it doesn't really matter. You know what I mean? Like, God's gonna deliver it at different you know what I'm saying? Like, it keeps you focused, right? And it keeps that outside noise. Um that's exactly what it is.

SPEAKER_02

You I feel like in this, not even just in this industry, but in this world, like we all have dreams, we all have things that we really want to do. Like, cut out the outside noise. That's that's the first thing. Like, because if you keep listening to other people, you ain't gonna never do it. Stop asking a lot of different people what I should and what you shouldn't do. They don't even know what they should be doing. So why are you even asking them? You know, like if it's something that you want to do, just do it.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

If it works, it works. If it don't, go back to the drawing board, it's really not that deep. Right. You know what I'm saying? So this time in our life is gonna pass anyway. You might as well be impactful or do something that you really want to do. So that's how I look at it. And then experiencing loss at an early age in a lot of different areas, that really gave me the confidence to be like, just go, you know, especially like losing my dad. Like he passed when he was like 38. That is young. Right. So it's just like just imagine how much more of life he had to live. Because I'm in my 30s now, so I'm not too far off from 38, you know. So just I want to make sure when I leave this earth, God is like job well done. But also, too, like I lived a good life. You know, it wasn't an easy life, but I definitely did everything I wanted to do, you know, with the time that was given to me. So I don't take that lightly, you know. Period. You know, my my homeboys call me Sarah Jace Roberts Jr. sometimes. Because sometimes I give you a word and I give you a sermon and you know how I am. I get on my little uh podium.

SPEAKER_04

Podium.

SPEAKER_03

Um yeah, no, and I agree completely. One of the, I'll say, like, Chan Corporate got me talking about benchmarks and metrics that I set for myself. You need those KPIs that you know, I said for myself is this if you give a hundred percent in something and it doesn't work out, like you have no choice but to walk away with your head up. Right. And either way, that's a direction. But if you but a lot of times giving 100% will give you exactly what you need. You know what I'm saying? And that that is another direction. So it's all about, you know, truly committing to, like you said, that decision. Like, just do it, just jump on in and give it your all, and it's gonna, it's gonna guide, you know, it's gonna always let you know. And it's just to me, I hear like living intentional, like making intentional decisions.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

Okay. We briefly talked about what the experience like, what your experience was like losing your father, but um can you go more into detail about how that journey, like how has this journey truly been? And you know, how have you continued to like have that mindset to keep going and to keep like listen, baby, we all know your daddy at this point. You know, we honestly speaking, we've I've never met your dad, but you know, you keep his name alive very well, and that that is amazing because you know, a lot of times, me personally, it's like we know someone passes away, and you know, like we have our own personal grieving, but we're not constantly, you know, still uplifting and doing more to, you know, truly honor these people afterwards. So can you just like, you know, tell us about just that experience and your mindset and like just how you continue to dig deep.

SPEAKER_02

So um, I would say every day, I feel like every day is a different like struggle or journey or whatever. Um, I just try to surrender myself every day. So that's basically me just re reprogramming my mindset when I wake up because yesterday is not gonna be the same as today, you know. I may not have the best day Tuesday, but I'm like, okay, Wednesday, this is gonna be a better day, you know. Like, what did I do wrong? What can I do better? But as far as like my dad, just in all transparency, like I really feel like I was like robbed, honestly, because the way he was, he was murdered, he was killed. Um, and then from base his case is still cold or whatever. And from the little information that I do have, um, they said it was an off-duty white officer or something, but that's a whole nother subject for a whole nother day. But the way that it happened, like I still remember like talking to him the night before. Um, and then the next morning, I just remember all these firefighters and people at our house, and I'm like, what's going on? Like, why are these people here at the house? I'm gonna have to get on the bus, go to school, you know. But that's when it happened. And then that day later on in the morning, my mom had picked me up from um school, and when I went into the principal office, she was crying, and I was like, what's going on? And I didn't want to think negative, but that was the day my dad was supposed to come back because he was out of town, and so he was supposed to come back that day. So I was like, Did something happen while he was on the airplane or something? You know, this is 20, I mean, this is 2008, by the way. Okay. So I'm in middle school, I'm 13. So I didn't, you know, I was just kind of confused, but um, I just really felt like looking back at that moment all the way to now, I really feel like I was robbed. Like I was robbed of joy in certain moments of my life or certain things. Like my dad wasn't here to see me walk the stage, you know, like and I've graduated three times high school, um, undergrad, masters, you know, or me starting my business, or I just other milestones that I've reached, or not even just the highlights of my life, like just a regular Tuesday. I just want to call my daddy, talk to my dad. I want to hear his voice. You know, his voice was always so motivating and comforting to me. And if you really know me and my dad, like that was that's the peanut butter to my jelly, okay? When you see him, you see me. That's my shadow, you know, and same with my mom too. Um, but as far as like my dad goes, like, yeah, I just really feel like I was dropped because even now I'm not a mom yet, and I'm not married yet, but I know when that time comes, like that's going to be a bittersweet moment for me. Like when I have my first child, that's gonna be a bit bittersweet moment because I want my future child or children to meet my dad and how how how awesome of a papa he would have been. You know, I don't know what he would want them to call him, but I don't know, I just think papa. And then also, too, I would say whenever I get married, you know, it's just like I have wonderful men in my life, like my cousins, my grandfathers, like my brother, all of that, my uncles. Um, so having someone walk me down an aisle, like that's gonna be hard for me because they all like, I can do it, I can do it, I would love to do it, you know, but it's nothing like having my dad walk me down the aisle, you know. So I feel like moments like that where it's just like it's kind of bittersweet a little bit. Um, but I would say that's the grief of losing a parent at an early age. It never really just gets better. It's hard every day when life is life in, no matter what age or what I'm going through. Like, that's the person that I could count on. Like, I talk to him about anything. Like, we would go to Waffle House dates before he would drop me off at school in the morning. Like, yeah, I'm like, most times you're thinking when you go to school, you better get a little McDonald's or a little donuts. My dad said, we're going to Waffle House. So that's the one who put me on to All-Star Special, you know, at an early age. So I'm like, shout out to Pops for that.

SPEAKER_03

Because a girl loves an All-Star special, okay? I ain't gonna talk about my order because people judge me. Oh, I need my raisin toast. Oh, yeah. You I'm good on it.

SPEAKER_02

I'm good on raisin toast. But if you put it on my plate, I'm not gonna discriminate, okay? So yes, so um, yes, but I think also too, like just something that I've struggled with, and I'm big on mental health. Like, I've been in therapy, I think this year is going on eight years I've been in therapy. So I did therapy when it first happened with my dad, um, when I lost my dad, but it didn't really like it wasn't nothing that I stuck with. It was when I got to um college where I wanted to be intentional about like I really have some I'm a great person, obviously, and people see the good, but I was very intentional about the dark side of my life, you know, like the grief, the the lonely, the loneliness, like the abandonment, because in a way I lost my dad, you know. So sometimes I grieve for my dad, and sometimes that abandonment can sometimes show up in other relationships or other aspects of your life, you know. And so I just kind of feel like a lot of people don't talk about grief. Of course, grief of my dad, but just where I am now as a woman, like the grief of losing friends. Right. Um, because your friends that may be your friends back then may not be your friends now, but also being open-minded to new dynamics and you know, like you know how Drake say no new friends.

SPEAKER_01

Right.

SPEAKER_02

I don't believe in that because it's like I done met some people recently in my life that's way more solid than people that I know or family. You get what I'm saying? So it's just like using my discernment with that. Um, so grief of friendship, grief with my dad, grief with romantic relationships, and not even just that, like grieving my old self. Like when I hit 30, like even before I hit 30, like grieving, grieving myself in the flesh, but also spiritually. Right. Because in order for me to get to this next point, like I have an anointed over my life, and I know that. So I have to be obedient and responsible with that. I can't do what other people do because God's gonna make an example out of me every single time. Every time, every single time.

SPEAKER_01

Every time I'm right here with you.

SPEAKER_02

And I just be like, I'm not gonna lie. You can do it one time. I done told you before, I'm like, I'm on a strong soldier list again. Like, remove me immediately. What what that okay? I'm not trying to talk about that man on the TikTok. Well, he says, cut the cameras. I'm done. Like, that be me almost every other week, okay? Because I'm like, huh. But I need to go through so many easy.

SPEAKER_03

We always gonna be on the strong soldier list.

SPEAKER_02

And it can be kind of ghetto, but real ghetto. I'm like looking back at some of those moments. I'm like, okay, guy, you funny. Because now I see why you took me through that because I needed to learn more patience.

SPEAKER_03

Right.

SPEAKER_02

Or I needed to learn how to work with different people. I needed to learn. It's not always God not always punishing you. I think that's what we need to like plant in our heads. Right. It's not punishment. Sometimes you're going through stuff because of your own actions. Let's let's start.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, let's just start there.

SPEAKER_02

Sometimes we self-sabotage ourselves, but we don't want to talk about that. That's a whole nother subject for another thing. Let me not get started. Yes, but sometimes it's self-sabotage. You like, God is punishing me. Why, why, why? No. God is just like, you make the bed, I'm gonna let you sit in there for a little bit, because that's how you're gonna learn when you bump your head, right? But then sometimes too, it's intentional. Like, I need to take you through this so that way you can get through, you know?

SPEAKER_00

Right.

SPEAKER_02

So I feel like a lot of these different obstacles, basically in a nutshell and challenges, have really molded and shaped me to who I am today. Um, and like what I said, just being intentional about things in my personal life, because going to therapy and fixing those different traumas or whatever like that, that helps me in my business too. Because if you're not right personally, that's gonna spill into your professional life, whether you have a business or not. So I'm very intentional about my peace and my space and just being the best breed that I can be. And even if that means just 1% every day, that's all I got. That's all I got today.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

All I got is 1%. I can't be 94% every every day. Sometimes just waking up, working out, praying, or just doing what I need to do, that's I you did enough today.

SPEAKER_03

Now, now rest. I really do love all of that. Um, so how is it that you're able to, you know, keep your joy and you know, walk so gracefully? And like, how would you encourage others to do the same?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, I would say I feel like joy comes from within. Like every day I have to make a decision for myself that today is gonna be a great day. Like, I saw a quote the other day on social media that said, if you can always overthink the bad, why can't you use that same energy to overthink the good? And that's just how I daily operate. Like, it's really it's a mindset thing, but it's really psychological. Like the more good that you say and speak over yourself, or just watch or just listen to, like, it's it's a domino effect, you know. So it's just like I know joy comes from within. Joy can't come from anybody else, a man, a family, my dad, even I I love my dad dearly, you know. Joy comes from within. So that's something that I have to work on. And I encourage other people to do the same, even when it does not feel good, even when you're uncomfortable. Um, but just being committed to finding that joy. What is what does that joy look like for you? Because it may look different for other people, you know? And I just feel like joy for me looks it's just it's simple. I feel like life is simple. I feel like us humans make it complicated. So the joys and the simple things, my journey, the joys in my family, the joys having this conversation with you. It's the little things that we often take for granted because we always so busy, you know. So I always just tell people to take a moment just to slow down a little bit. Let's slow down, let's slow down a little bit and let's just enjoy what you know what's in front of us now. Because we always so trying to get to the next thing, and I'm very guilty of that, you know.

SPEAKER_03

I was gonna say, I feel like we just had this conversation maybe like last month or so where we both was, or maybe maybe it was like two months ago. I feel like we we done had to pick it up. I don't know, time be moving fast, but we just had that conversation about like just slow down, like let's just embrace where we're at. Right. Um living and answer prayers.

SPEAKER_02

Living and answer prayers. This is an answer prayer.

SPEAKER_03

This is an answer prayer. So, as you know, we talk about slowing down. Are there any particular moments in your journey that were that you that just like you will relive, you know what I mean? Like they just have been extremely pivotal. And again, you would relive them.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, I think I have a few, but I would definitely say I don't I would say Paris Fashion Week. That was a good one for me because I remember my mentor, shout out to Miss Tiffany, that's my second mama, my mentor. Um, she was like, I remember I got the opportunity to do Paris Fashion Week, and I was just so nervous because I was just like, I've I've done New York Fashion Week, but that was just as a stylist and a volunteer and an intern, like these different times where I did attend. So doing it as a designer, you know, that was kind of a little intimidating and scary. She was like, girl, apply to that Paris Fashion Week, get off my phone, click. I was like, uh, okay, so I had applied and then I had got it. But not even just business. I would just say like therapy has been really good for me because I'm learning more about myself and I just feel like I'm unlocking another level of just who I am, you know, becoming Bria. So, and I also think too, it's just it's just so cool just to see like where I've been, like the beginning of this year, last year, all the way up until now. Um, so I don't take that lightly. Um, it I feel like it's a lot of moments that I would relive. Um, but I don't know. I'm just super grateful for all the moments.

SPEAKER_03

Again, just to, you know, elaborate on that and bring into perspective living and answer prayers. As a designer, they love, someone would love to say, you know, I've even styled in New York Fashion Week. I've had my brand in Paris Fashion Week. Also, like New York Times Squares and seeing your brand up there, I think it's super lit.

SPEAKER_02

Like and it was on my birthday too. On your birthday, like it was on my 30th birthday too, by the way.

SPEAKER_03

Like to me, you can't, we can't say that this is not for one intentional, but we also can't say like this is not an answer prayer. And you still have so far to go because it's like, wait, you've already done that, right? And we're still and it don't feel like it.

SPEAKER_02

I just I'm just so chill, laid back comfortable down to earth. I'll just be chilling. And so sometimes I be like, dang, I really did do that, you know? You really did do that. But you know how I am. I just be like, yeah, I did that. Next, next question. What are we about to eat? Right.

SPEAKER_03

But I mean, that goes that goes into slowing down though. Right. Because we do have to take time and like honestly embrace all of these different things that you know are honestly that we're experiencing. Right. Okay, so with everything you've already overcome and accomplished, what can the audience look forward to next for Foreign Closet?

SPEAKER_02

Ooh, it's a lot of great stuff that they can look forward to. Um we have some new collections dropping in the fall. This upcoming fall, we also have holiday dropping. Um, I have a few like workshops coming up that I'm super excited about. I have a lot of things coming up. And if you're interested in going back to school, you can take my my course at the University of North Texas because I am Professor B. Period. But yes, I have a lot of great things coming up. And yeah, I think I really think what y'all should do is just follow me on social media. Can I get in my social media? Absolutely. Okay. So foreign closet on Instagram is at shop foreign closet. Um, and then my Instagram is at I M I A M Bria, B-R-I-A, Charlise, C-H-A-R-L-I-S-E on Instagram, TikTok, all of that. If you follow one, you'll see the other one. Then you can just follow like that. But other than that, this is fun.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, no, it was really fun. I do want to share. I've been trying to figure out how I should word it. Cause I don't want to say I fell in love with Bria, but I have not been able to come up with like a different saying. Like as a creative, it was when you did that photo shoot where you were counting money.

SPEAKER_02

Oh, that's a fan favorite. I was like, oh, she's a few. Not you calling her fan, but I mean, you're just saying everybody, they always reference that shoot. Like at that time.

SPEAKER_03

I was definitely a fan. I was like, oh no, she's different. I love this energy. And it's to me, it's about proclaiming. Like, you didn't need nobody to tell you the boss. You said, I'm finna sit up here, I'm gonna set this scene up, I'm gonna count this money, I'm gonna call myself billionaire beat.

SPEAKER_02

I had my little cigar, period. It was just a it was I had the UGK playing in the background, you know, you know.

SPEAKER_03

And then you had your faces on like the Oh the billion dollars. On the billion dollars, on the hundred dollar million. You know, this is about dreaming bigger. This is about putting out there, like you've already proclaimed what it is. Right.

SPEAKER_02

That's why I call myself Billionaire B. Billionaire B. It's not about the money, it's the mindset, and everything else will follow. Yes.

SPEAKER_03

I don't want to be able to do it. We need the money. We want to get paid for sure. We want to get paid for sure, but you have to be able to see it for yourself before it will anybody else. Come on now. Yeah, so yes, that was the moment. And then um I was like, because we still didn't know each other, even though I'm like, we were following each other. I don't even remember how I first started following you. I don't remember none of that. Um, because we didn't meet at UNT. We honestly didn't meet until you I had a project for a client. Oh, yes. And I was like, you know what? This is my perfect time. I'm like, she said, Oh man, let me, let me, let me, let me meet with her. Let me see what that's the best, best thing we could have ever done. Yes, and from then on, you know, I've been truly grateful to be able to, you know, likewise, you know, just now consider you a friend. Because before I'm like, I just want to work with her, like two creatives linking up, but now to be able to witness your journey up close and personal, like I feel so honored.

SPEAKER_02

I'm honored too.

SPEAKER_03

And so I'm so excited for you and all of the things that you have coming up. Again, we couldn't even put words on it because I know it's bigger. I know God has something amazing for you, bigger than anything we could imagine. So, yes. If our listeners remember just one message from you today, what do you hope it is?

SPEAKER_02

Uh, my message will be everybody can be a billionaire. Everybody should adapt a billionaire mindset. I think that's something that's transferable. I think it's all about who you surround yourself with. Um, and just stop dreaming and just execute it. When I say just do it. It'd be too many people talking and not enough action for me.

SPEAKER_03

So okay, but also tell them how is it that they can live and answer prayers too?

SPEAKER_02

That's a great question. Um, for me, like what I said, my faith ties up a big part into it. So just really just uh intentionally seeking what God wants for me. But if you're not spiritual, um I would just say just do what feels right in your gut, that intuition. You know when something is off and when something is is right for you, you know. So if you if you have to think about it and be hesitant about it, that's probably not what you need to be doing. But if it just flows and it feels good, then I would say go for it. Like you only get one life. You might as well just yellow. Yeah, just just do it. And if it don't work, again, go back to the drawing board. It's it's not that deep.

SPEAKER_03

It's not that deep, y'all. Um, but this conversation was deep. So we definitely appreciate you guys for tuning in. I'm so happy to have you as a first guest. I felt like it made the moment. Sense, right? Living in answer prayers, and we still have so much, so far to go. Right. So thanks for tuning in. Subscribe, like, follow. Right? Cause we'll talk. I'll send you a voice. I'll send you a voice when we allow it out.

SPEAKER_00

We gotta like that's the podcast, for real.

SPEAKER_03

Right. Um, but yes. Okay, Bria, and one more time before you leave, let people know where they can find you.

SPEAKER_02

Yes, so you can follow me on Instagram or TikTok. My personal page is at Iambria Charlese. That's I A M B R I A C H A R L I S E. Um, or you can follow me with my business page, which is Foreign Closet, on Instagram and TikTok. That's at Shop Foreign Closet. And then if you want to shop, it's shopforeincloset.com. Gotcha.