Meet Azizi Carter | Founder & CEO of Suga Bearz

We had the good fortune of connecting with Azizi Carter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Azizi, how do you think about risk?
I feel taking risk can be beneficial. Failure will happen with risk but it’s apart of growth, you acquire wisdom from failure. Breathe life to your ideas, that idea came from somewhere great, do not ignore that God wink. Every single person has a purpose, those ideas have purpose. If you do nothing, then nothing will happen. If I never took risk, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I’ve taken good risk and bad risk all my life, being fearless. With Suga Bearz I dared to self express and allow others to self express through my brand. Individuality is an essence, its beauty, it’s a testimony, it’s truth and so much more. What greater a risk than just being you in such a condemning world. Once you obliterate the opinions, annihilate the negative choices, thoughts and become one with self, you give yourself the endowment of freedom. Freedom is felicity. Risk takers are brave, resilient and they change history.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Suga Bearz is the optimum house of freedom to express, to be able to speak to the world through apparel, through art which is a defining of expression. To be able to communicate your inner being, your truth, is freedom. It is quintessential to just be uniquely you. To be free is style. Suga Bearz wants to stimulate individuals around the world with apparel that speaks with expression, or a story with their customized truth. We want to allow people to make a statement without saying a word. Individuality is truth and that is what sets Suga Bearz apart from others.

I am most proud of the growth Suga Bearz has made in such a short amount of time. I created my logo (my infamous bear) and was heat pressing shirts, hoodies and joggers out of my two bedroom townhouse in my dining room. Working two jobs, finishing my classes for my BFA in Web Design/New Media at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and being a single mother of two, I created Suga Bearz. It was not easy, it took hard work, sacrifice and transition. I overcame the challenges with determination, trusting myself and trusting my vision.

I learned research is necessary, research in brands, materials, business, marketing, etc. is mandatory. I started my online store and was also doing custom work for corporate companies like PG&E and Drill Tech Drilling & Shoring. I’m still learning something new everyday. There will be trial and error but you cannot get discouraged. I learned from it and how not to repeat the same mistakes.

I want the world to know that anything is possible you just have to get up and do it. I had to strive for change. I am a woman, that left home at 14 and never went back. I have had my wrong choices in life, men, being abused, I have been reckless, I am a ex-convict, I did 4 years between four states, starting my federal bid in Georgia. Away from my children and I lost my grandmother and aunt that raised me during that time. God sat me down and gave me silence, provided me with therapy and the ability to grow closer. My grandmother placed God in my soul but silence allowed me to hear God and feel the presence. I transformed my mind and was introduced to Web Design, Graphic Design and charcoal art from my instructor Muhammad Mansoor. He taught me to pay it forward and never be ashamed of my journey. Once released I went straight to college for my BFA in Web Design, I became a franchisee and worked for the city. Not even a year after graduating I held the keys to my first brick and mortar for Suga Bearz at Solano Towne Mall in Fairfield, Ca.

Suga Bearz slogan is “F*ck the Negativity in every aspect of life, our surroundings, negative people, negative choices, negative thoughts & negative energy.” You have to release the negative in order to efflorescence.

My pass doesn’t define me, it’s apart of me, I learned from my past, I turned that bad hustle in me to good. I hustle to a different beat now. It’s what you do with the past, it’s the changing and the growth you desire for your future, It’s the freedom you no longer take for granted, It’s the value of time and the ones you choose to spend it with and how you use your time. Be the change and the inspiration to others. My purpose on sharing this is it’s my truth and I want others to know YOU CAN DO ANYTHING you want and possibilities are endless

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Currently I reside in San Francisco, I would first take her to explore the city starting with the Castro District. San Francisco’s historically LGBTQ neighborhood. The neighborhood was home to the late famed gay-rights activist Harvey Milk, and has seen hundreds of marches, protests and parades. I would take her to eat at L’Ardoise to try the tiger-prawn ravioli. I would take her to visit the museums, the de young Museum, Asian Museum and would eventually make it across the Bay Bridge to Oakland to visit the Black Panther Museum. I would take her for a walk on the Golden Gate Bridge to see the beautiful views of the Bay. We would explore Little Italy and eat at the Stinky Rose. We would go to the original Bay View and eat at Radio Africa Kitchen on 3rd St. We would rent a paddle boat at the Golden Gate Park, ride the ferris wheel and take a walk around the lake. We would visit Ocean Beach, Baker Beach and Crissy Field East Beach. I would take her to Pier 39, do the tourist walk and see all the sites along with a boat ride on the bay.. We would eat at Bubba Gumps and enjoy some of the lobster sandwich’s along the tour walk. i would take her on the Alcatraz tour as well as the boat ride over to Angel Island to learn the history of things that took place there with immigrants. Before she leaves I would take her to Brendas French Soul Food on Polk St. Of course we would squeeze in shopping downtown San Francisco.

Now if we were in Georgia, my second home, one of the first places would be National Center for Civil and Human Rights. I would check to see if there’s any shows at the Fox Theater for us to attend. We would hang out at Centennial Olympic Park, ride the SkyView Atlanta Ferris wheel and take the CNN Studio tours. We would eat at Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours in Midtown. Visit Little Five Points and get some piercings or tattoos. We would visit some shops and enjoy the vibe. We would go to the King Center and take a walk through history. I would take her to Ebenezer Baptist Church as well. We would take a walk on Peachtree and eat at the Sun Dial Restaurant and enjoy the view. If she’s willing we would drive to Cedartown, GA to go Skydiving with Skydive Georgia. We would go see the Toccoa Waterfall at Toccoa College if it’s open. We do some hiking at the Indian Seats Trail at Sawnee Mountain Preserve to stunning summit views just north of Atlanta, GA. and Sweetwater Creek State Park on a different day. Before she leaves we would couldn’t miss walking or riding scooters on the Atlanta Beltline enjoying the culture & history and everything in the area. I would squeeze in everything else I could in between.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to give a shoutout to my children, they are my motivation to soar. My aunt Priscilla Johnson who is my go to, from designs, ideas, business decisions, etc. She always speaks the truth and I take value in her insights. My Bear, James Williams, for believing in my vision and investing in growing my vision, thank you. To the few true friends and family that consistently support me and my business ventures from day one. To Brookfield Properties and Michelle Isabel in Atlanta, GA., VP of Partner to Empower for believing and investing in Suga Bearz future. I appreciate the program and everyone involved. I have gratitude for the knowledge they’ve embedded in me and the business relationship I will develop with them in opening new stores within their properties. Brookfield Properties is a movement assisting minorities throughout the U.S. I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to be apart of Partner to Empower. To God I would not exist, I would be nothing. I give all praise for my creative abilities. With the invisible wings the Lord has placed on my back to fly, I will continue to soar. A special shoutout to all the BEARZ that have become apart of Suga Bearz cave! Thank you all.

Website: https://www.sugabearz.com/

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