Claima Stories with Bimma

Claima

Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Jeff Staple, James Whitner and more. Follow Claima Stories (@claimastories) and Bimma Williams (@bimmawilliams) on Instagram, and watch us on YouTube (@claimastories).

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Our Editor's Take

The purpose of the Claima Stories with Bimma podcast is to share positivity. People of color and young creatives can find motivation, inspiration, and encouragement here. Bimma Willams is the host. She is a young creative himself. James Whitner, Jeff Staple, and Melody Ehsani join Bimma as podcast cohosts.

The podcast features BIPOC creatives who have turned their side hustles into success. Claima Stories with Bimma does more than talk about dream careers. The podcast also shows listeners how they can do it too.

An important theme they focus on is how the path to entrepreneurship is never a straight line. That's why the podcast stories are motivating without being superficial. They provide real and practical considerations, especially for new small business owners.

This podcast makes it clear that dreams need more than passion. They also need practical lessons and application to become reality. Their guests further support this idea as well. Woodie White shares his story about the founding of Oyster Holdings. What started as an interest in exploration turned into a streetwear apparel business.

Then, there's Jason Mayden. He holds a lot of pride as a Chicago native. Jason used to be a sneaker designer for Nike, then founded Trillicon Valley. He attributes his brand of work ethic to his years growing up in Chicago. John Okevu Ojo II talks about his clothing brand Little Africa. He shares in the podcast how his Nigerian heritage played a huge role in creating the brand.

The Claima Stories with Bimma podcast also has a feature segment of interviews. They recorded these interviews during the pandemic to share positivity amid trying times. Guests like Portia Blunt of Reebok encourage people to keep the hustle and passion.

Claima Stories with Bimma may inspire those who may be losing hope to hold on to their dreams. Whether people of color or otherwise, anyone can learn a thing or two on this podcast to help make their dreams come true.

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Episodes

EP 97: Manila Mixtape, Artist and Owner of Manila Home Goods
Jun 27 2023
EP 97: Manila Mixtape, Artist and Owner of Manila Home Goods
They say your twenties are meant for self-discovery and today's guest, Manila Mixtape, can attest to that. After a career in fashion bouncing from celebrity styling to merchandising to retail, Manila decided to walk away from it all. Knowing he needed a real break from that world, he moved back to NYC to become a truck driver. Serendipitously, his first assignment was to a fabrication studio. He’d work at the studio doing build outs for Vogue, Louis Vuitton and more. It was at the fabrication studio, Manila made his first mirror. In our chat ahead, we talk about his creative journey, taking the negatives with the positives to rebuild and launch his art as @ManilaMixtape.Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more. Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliamsAnd watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
EP 96: Shequeita Frazier, Co-Founder of Camp Yoshi
Jun 20 2023
EP 96: Shequeita Frazier, Co-Founder of Camp Yoshi
If you asked today's guest, Shequeita Frazier, if she would be a Co-Founder of an outdoors brand, she probably would've laughed. Though she grew up playing outside all the time, Shequeita distinctly remembers avoiding the woods. It wasn't until meeting her husband who would go on regular camping trips and moving to Portland did she fully understand the impact of the outdoors. Between the pandemic, protests and needing to find solace...a trip to Montana is what ultimately led the duo to creating Camp Yoshi. Founded in 2020, Camp Yoshi is an experience brand that has democratized the outdoors curating unique adventures that make it easy for you to get outside and leave the fear of the unknown behind. Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more. Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliamsAnd watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
EP 95: Autumn Merrit, Co-Founder of Sir & Madame
Jun 13 2023
EP 95: Autumn Merrit, Co-Founder of Sir & Madame
A Chicago native, Autumn Merritt, has been a boss since she was a teenager, from managing a coffee shop to running a streetwear store...getting the job done with quality and intention was always her priority. In 2007, Autumn opened up a boutique with her husband originally named Solemates (now Sir & Madame). And that's just the start of her journey, in our episode ahead we chat about being a business partner with your spouse, collaborations, moving cities, her new role as the Head of membership for Soho House, Cities Without Houses North America all while being a mom of 3 and never forgetting who Autumn the person is. Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more. Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliamsAnd watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
EP 93: Kiauna "Kee" Nelson, Owner of Kee's #Loaded Kitchen
May 30 2023
EP 93: Kiauna "Kee" Nelson, Owner of Kee's #Loaded Kitchen
With parents that battled addiction, today’s guest Kiauna “Kee” Nelson, was always an independent kid. Her life took multiple turns from spending time in a gang to a short jail stint. Ultimately, Kee knew she wanted more than that life. At 31, Kee enrolled with college with ambitions of opening a food cart. With the help of little herbal refreshment, the #Loaded menus were born. A hustler by nature, she was selling plates out of her apartment before she got the truck. Tune in to hear a more about Kee and her journey to opening Kee's #Loaded Kitchen all while being unapologetically herself. Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more. Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliamsShop Claim A Seat product collaboration with MiiR at www.claimastories.com. $5 of every product sold will benefit our non-profit partner, All Hands Raised. And watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
EP 92: Kimberly Drew, Curator at Pace Gallery and Author
May 23 2023
EP 92: Kimberly Drew, Curator at Pace Gallery and Author
A lifelong lover of museums, Kimberly Drew's entry into the working world of art started with creating a Tumblr page dedicated to Black art and culture called Black Contemporary Art. The page immediately took off and helped her land a social media manager gig at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Entering the space through her digital experience helped Kimberly fulfill her goal of bringing art to a wider audience, reinvigorating and diversifying the MET's digital presence. After leaving her post at the MET, she decided to focus on the intersection of art and commerce eventually releasing her own book, This is What I Know About Art and co-authoring Black Futures. Today, Kimberly continues her work as an author while also being the curator at world reknown Pace Gallery.Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more. Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliamsAnd watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
EP 91: Meymuna Hussein-Cattan, Owner of Flavors from Afar and Director of the Tiyya Foundation
May 16 2023
EP 91: Meymuna Hussein-Cattan, Owner of Flavors from Afar and Director of the Tiyya Foundation
Growing up in a traditional Ethiopian household while living in California, Meymuna Hussein-Cattan often found herself balancing many identities. From coaching friends on what to expect when they came over to her home to compartmentalizing her worlds and finding solace through writing poetry. She eventually took all those identities and found her purpose running the Tiyya Foundation, a non-profit she founded with her mom now providing economic and educational opportunities for families of refugees, immigrants, and indigenous communities. As her work with Tiyya grew, she was inspired to create connection to that work through a culinary lens. Today, Meymuna owns Flavors from Afar, a restaurant concept that pairs a different refugee/asylum seeker each month with their head chef to create an authentic, restaurant quality menu focused on bringing traditional cultural dishes to the public. Flavors from Afar received a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2022 and has been named LA Times' 101 Best Restaurants in LA for the last two years. Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more. Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliamsAnd watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
EP 90: Intisar Abioto, Artist and Photographer
May 9 2023
EP 90: Intisar Abioto, Artist and Photographer
Our guest today picked up her first camera at the age of 14 and has worked in the world of photography ever since. Intisar Abioto, grew up in Memphis surrounded by Black art and found her path towards storytelling through taking images with Black women as the lead. Eventually making her way to Portland, she launched the Black Portlander project in 2013 and saw the impact it had on the local community. This project ultimately taught her the business of making art and using her art to celebrate the history and presence of Black life in the city of Portland. Today, Intisar identifies as an explorer-artist working across photography, dance, and writing. With the five women artists in her family, she is the Co-Founder of Studio Abioto, a multivalent creative arts studio. Her work has been featured in the Rolling Stone and New York Times.Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more. Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliamsAnd watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
EP 89: Duk-Ki Yu, Founder of MAJOR DC
May 2 2023
EP 89: Duk-Ki Yu, Founder of MAJOR DC
An immigrant from Seoul, Korea who moved to California at the age of 12. Duk-Ki Yu, owner of MAJOR was and will forever be a lover, advocate, and participant in the advancement of hip-hop culture. Duk-Ki Yu is the epitome of an 80s baby and as he navigated his way through his adolescent years living between the cultural traditions of his origins and the cultural currency and influence of hip-hop, it makes total sense that Duk-ki would find his footing through sneaker culture. He would go on to own his own record store at the age of 16, work with the likes of Diddy formerly known as Puffy Combs, Arrested Development, and foster business partnerships with brands such as Reebok, Adidas, Nike, New Era and EA Sports. It's safe to say, Duk-Ki Yu is one of the most known unknowns but if there was a major moment Duk-Ki was there, had a hand in the implementation of that moment or was in close proximity to bear witness and tell the story. Grounded in Washington, D.C. Duk-Ki has made a home for sneaker lovers in the District and abroad in a Major way.Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more. Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliamsAnd watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping
EP 88: Jabari, Founder of COLORS Worldwide
Apr 25 2023
EP 88: Jabari, Founder of COLORS Worldwide
A lifelong student of hip-hop, Jabari always knew he wanted to work in the music industry specifically on the media side. While at Howard he started interviewing artists for a website including Fabolous, Nicki Minaj, and Justin Bieber, early in their careers. After working in social media at Capitol Records, the itch to create something of his own still remained. He decided to dive deep into the world of live music experiences, taking a page from the EDM world to create something for his culture at the forefront. Enter R&B ONLY LIVE, a one-of-kind music event that combines a DJ and Host to give you the ultimate R&B genre experience. Today, Jabari is the Founder and CEO of COLORS Worldwide with R&B ONLY as one of its flagship brands bringing together thousands of people in 50+ cities across the country. Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more. Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliamsAnd watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
EP 87: Jessica Monzalvo, Founder of SBJ Esntls
Apr 18 2023
EP 87: Jessica Monzalvo, Founder of SBJ Esntls
Growing up on a farm in Mexico is where Jessica Monzalvo's story started. That deep connection to being on native land and watching family care for each other inspired her future. As Jessica shifted into her entrepreneurship journey, helping others with their self-care would be at the center of her work. This deep passion drove her to New York become a professional make-up artist landing the Victoria's Secret fashion show as her first gig. Fast forward to the pandemic, Jessica's thriving career took an unexpected turn and she decided to make her mark in a different way. As the Founder of SBJ Esntls, a beauty brand rooted in her Mexican heritage, Jessica makes sure self-care is at the forefront in every product they release. The brand has been featured in publications like Vogue, Marie Claire, and Byrdie.Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more. Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliamsAnd watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
EP 86: Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper, Founders of Eastside Golf
Apr 11 2023
EP 86: Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper, Founders of Eastside Golf
If you ask today’s guests Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper, golf has always been a great game. The two met as teammates on the Morehouse College golf team where they won a National Championship and then remained friends as their lives ran parallel in different career fields. But the game always remained in Olajuwon’s heart and as a lover of design he wanted combine the two. So, he created the infamous swingman logo and put it on a shirt initially for himself which turned into shipping 3,000 orders from his home. As they say, the rest is history. Earl saw the vision and knew he had to join the mission. Today, Olajuwon and Earl are the Founders of Eastside Golf a golf apparel brand for the culture that is rooted in authenticity. They’ve gone to work with some of your favorite brands, including golf enthusiast and GOAT Michael Jordan.Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more. Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliamsAnd watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
EP 85: Imani Ellis, Founder of CultureCon and The Creative Collective
Apr 4 2023
EP 85: Imani Ellis, Founder of CultureCon and The Creative Collective
Imagine making your childhood dreams come true - working in television, living in NYC, becoming a VP at NBC Universal…all by your 30s and then what? After all those accomplishments, Imani Ellis was still in search of something bigger and more connected. As a self-proclaimed introvert, she held a dinner party for young creatives of color that planted the seed for her next business idea. Imani’s dinner party went from 20 guests to an astonishing 300-person event in a month…creating a movement. Today, Imani is the Founder CEO and Founder of CultureCon and The Creative Collective where she focuses on curating safe spaces for people of color, their marquee conference serves as “the ultimate creative homecoming.”Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more. Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliamsAnd watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
EP 84: Jerald Cooper, Founder of Hood Century Modern
Mar 28 2023
EP 84: Jerald Cooper, Founder of Hood Century Modern
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Jerald has always immersed himself in the community with a focus on telling stories. From changing the subject of his college thesis to Molefi Asante and afrocentricity to opening a sneaker store. After a stint away from home, in 2019, Jerald moved back to Ohio to understand how architecture played a role in our communities, and unknowingly created a cultural preservation movement. Today, Jerald is the Founder of Hood Century Modern, a movement focused on making architecture more accessible through education and filtered through a cultural lens to break down barriers typically set by folks that don't look like him.Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Lynae Vanee and more. Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliamsAnd watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.
EP 83: Lynae Vanee, Creator of Parking Lot Pimpin'
Mar 21 2023
EP 83: Lynae Vanee, Creator of Parking Lot Pimpin'
Writing is something that always came naturally to Lynae, but becoming gifted storyteller is how she found her true purpose. After a full-ride at Spelman College, Lynae wasn't clear on her career path so she went on to teach high schoolers and create a Black studies curriculum. Inspiration set in during the protests of June 2020 where she wanted to make difference in her own way, with words and education, launching a viral series called Parking Lot Pimpin'. Today, Lynae owns From The Lot, a business focused on her various creative pursuits collaborating with various brands such as Meta, Target, Revolt, Tommy Hilfiger, and Netflix, to name a few.Co-Founder of Claima and Former Nike Marketer, Bimma Williams interviews leading and emerging creatives and entrepreneurs of color about how they were able to build their own tables by turning their hobbies, side hustles, and ideas into thriving small businesses. From these stories, listeners will learn how to claim their dream careers by stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Featuring Melody Ehsani, Dapper Dan, Jeff Staple, Karleen Roy and more. Follow Claima Stories and Bimma Williams on Instagram: @claimastories and @bimmawilliamsAnd watch us Youtube powered by Vista. Vista is proud to be your go-to design and marketing partner for small business owners across the world. Use code CLAIMASTORIES at check-out on www.vistaprint.com to receive 20% off your next order of $75 or more plus free standard shipping.