SPACE(S) – Bricks & Wood (bricksandwood.us)
According to CNBC, “Eight out of 10 Black-owned businesses fail within the first 18 months.” I could end this post with this statement, but I’ll go on. My first sneaker company I lost the license and went bankrupt. I’m not embarrassed to write that sentence, because bankruptcy hit me again after I made over 2.5 million dollars in my second stint as a businessperson. My first business operated from 2005 to 2008. I made it more than 18 months and the failure I’ve always said was out of my control. The truth is it was my fault. I didn’t understand licensing. I didn’t have a lawyer check my paperwork and when things were going great, I didn’t really read or learn how to capitalize on the smart moves I made. My ignorance killed my financial life and almost ruined my personal life.
Most people don’t tell the truth about their experiences. Most people don’t help people to avoid their pitfalls. Everyone wants others to believe they are doing great, when the reality is business is extremely difficult and not to be entered into lightly. In my second business, I learned from my mistakes, but I was still missing critical elements. I lost half a million dollars in one year. Making a lot of money isn’t a recipe for success if there isn’t a strong foundation and the knowledge of how businesses work.
Bricks & Wood just moved from a digitally native brand to a brick-and-mortar physical location. Bricks & Wood has been operating since 2014. That’s 8 years. Fashion trends shift quickly and there are classic brands that only existed for a few years and are now relegated to a moment in time. Bricks & Wood overcame all of the complications in being a small business rooted in the heart of South Central Los Angeles. They made it through Covid when, according to the World Economic Forum “34% of small businesses,” were still closed in 2021. Bricks & Wood collaborated with New Balance, K-Swiss, Padmore and Barnes and the L.A. Dodgers. Their story should be fuel for any person considering launching their own brand. To launch as an online experience and survive long enough to open a flagship location is an important moment. I’ve been alone in most of my journey. Every dollar came from my soul. Watching this video makes my heart full. It gives me hope and I think it will fill your spirit.
SPACE(S) By Bricks & Wood officially opens this Friday 9/30 from 6-10PM.
SPACE(S) BY BRICKS & WOOD
WE HAVE CREATED A PLACE TO HOUSE ALL OF OUR WILD IDEAS.
THAT COULD BE A STORE, A SHOWROOM, A GALLERY, A MUSIC VENUE, FOOD POP UP, OR WHATEVER ELSE THAT COMES TO MIND. IT’S NOT ONE STATIC THING, IT’S ALL OF THE ABOVE. A PLACE WHERE OUR COMMUNITY CAN TAKE UP SPACE, QUITE LITERALLY.
THIS MULTIFUNCTIONAL SPACE IS FOR ANY & EVERYONE, WE ARE JUST THE HOST. THIS SPACE WILL SERVE AS A CREATIVE PLAYGROUND FOR YOU, JUST AS MUCH AS IT WILL FOR US. WE HAVE HIT OUR THRESHOLD OF DIGITAL ASSETS & NOW IT’S TIME FOR A TANGIBLE BRICKS & WOOD EXPERIENCE.
OPENING UP OUR DOORS, OR BETTER YET OUR “SPACE” TO THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.
WE ARE EXCITED FOR THIS NEXT CHAPTER OF OUR STORY.