Hey Ma Creative - Britt
- kaylastanley9
- Apr 24, 2020
- 4 min read
I found Britt on Instagram a few weeks ago, we got to talking & I felt an instant connection. I loved her art so much & her message was so clear. I knew immediately that she would be the perfect feature for Femme Friday! Also, I was supposed to post this weeks ago but I have not been keeping track of what day it is, oops.
What inspired you to create your own brand?
I honestly couldn't help it!I have always loved playing with design, color, and image making—I'm a curator at heart, but I didn't have the language for that until a few years after art school, if you can believe that. Now I know that kind of behavior is called creative direction :) I started my online shop, Hey Ma Goods Co., as a creative outlet when I was stuck in a dry production design job in SF. I was homesick for Oakland and needed to use my voice and my hands again. It was fresh after that dreadful 2016 election and I wanted to at least say "We're here and we're going to get through this together" to my fellow womxn. Girl power as a child developed into intersectional feminism as an adult and the rest has been sharpening my tastes as I developed experience in design.
Where do you wish to see your brand in the future?
I would love to become a creative director or an interior designer. Curating a vibe, and specifically a space is my passion. I love the thrill of working with brands professionally and personally, I love nurturing and developing a sense of personality in my home. I love throwing parties. Anything that combines some or a few of those loves in my life would thrill me out of bed in the morning.
What message are you trying to put out into the world with what you create?
Definitely messages of self-awareness and empowerment with a strong sense of humor and playfulness. I want the things I create to be respected for their quality and adored for their invitation to delight in them. I want recipients of my work to enjoy them and feel reflected or encouraged by them. I want to make people feel GOOD when they experience my creations. Elevated, elated.
What do you tell yourself when you’re stuck in a rut?
Oh my, I am still figuring that out tbh! Sometimes I tell myself to just stop because usually I need some rest and some water. Going outside helps—I'm lucky to live in a beautiful neighborhood in Oakland near the lake where I can meander on my own time. When I'm spending time in Wahiawa, HI with my boyfriend, we take neighborhood walks with a bubble wand to the botanical garden or drives to North Shore to zone out in front of the ocean for a bit. Usually I am feeling super anxious and guilty about not working, but that is often the best sign that I need to take a break. It's very uncomfortable, but even more necessary!
What advice do you have for girls who are starting out?
Take risks and be brave, but remember that does not mean ignoring your personal wellness. Drink water and breathe. Stretch! Find guided meditations to fall asleep to. Go sweat out your demons in a spin class (there are always groupons and freebies, trust me). Learn what tools you need to get contracts and invoices in order. Reply to emails in a timely manner without creating dependency with your clients. Be honest with yourself when you are in over your head and learn to balance humility with discretion. Customer service is at the heart of what you do as long as your profession involves talking to other people, so lead with your open heart, not your ego. Be smart, but be authentic.
Who is the audience you wish to reach with your content?
Millennial womxn of color and their allies/accomplices who honestly all have a lot of shit to do in today's world! People who are balancing prioritizing wellness with their financial futures and have too many creative bones in their bodies to count. People with wide open hearts and dreams bigger than the parameters of todays paradigms. People who are equally ready to rage as they are to laugh and relax with a drink after a long day.
What is your definition of success?
Freedom to define your own time and pursue your own dreams. That means freedom with time and resources. The ability to be fearless when in counts and to still feel safe when it matters most.
Why is it important for girls to find their own voice and share it with the world?
How much time do we have!? The simple truth is that every person deserves a voice and has a story. We all should have the ability to share that with one another. It doesn't have to be on tv or the internet, but we should all have the opportunity to introduce ourselves to a room and our story into our work. People are interested in "how" and "why" that's the thick of our lives. We ought to use those things and if not be proud of the investigate them.
