Meet Brandie Adams-Piphus | Artist & CEO, BAPART LLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brandie Adams-Piphus and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brandie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My company, BAPART LLC BAPART provides online retail services specializing in the sale of original digital art prints and accessories that bear original digital artwork that represent women of color (WOC) who are underrepresented in the arts. Our product line includes unique, colorful, and vibrant art designed to increase positive representation of WOC in art and to invoke inspiration/uplift women of color.

I started my businesss, because I witnessed a need for equality and equity in the arts. Representation matters. When I shopped established retail locaions, it was difficult to find compelling, quality art featuring women of color and black women in particular. Although there has been some movement in this area, there is still a need for change. The world needs to see more positive images of WOC as we progress toward equality. Additionally, based on my experience, the fine art space is largely dominated by white men. My company intends to equalize the playing field, by not only disseminating art that reflects the dopeness, power, and beauty of women of color and their allies, but also creating a network of diverse women who are artists, so we can make a collective impact through collaboration and sharing our collective wisdom.

Our vision is to defy normative thinking through art that inspires women of color to break barriers and celebrate what it means to be human in a world markedly shaped by sexism, racism, and hetero normative culture. Therefore, we aspire to ensure that every community of color has access to moving art that inspires dialogue, connection and advances positive representation of women of color in art and in the arts.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
BAPART is a play on words, meaning “Be a Part.” This phrase captures one of our core values, “Community.”

My brand and art are designed to help women feel a part of something bigger than themselves, because I believe art is a powerful agent for transformation. Aligning with with the power of something bigger than yourself is when we feel the most purpose-driven, grounded, aligned, and a part of a larger community. Art has the power to inspire people across genders, religions, and cultures.

I believe in the power of art to promote connection and alignment with “something bigger.” I intend to translate the power of therapeutic art to women with every piece I create and help them feel connected to “something bigger.” This is why our mantra is “Be A Part.”

Our main audience consists of WOC who want to boost their self-worth, manage stress/anxiety/depression, break unhealthy relationship patterns, heal from trauma and own their purpose. Specifically, we specialize in art for the “Dope Chick,” which is a woman with a growth mindset who is “Potent, Unadulterated and Pure,” as defined below:

Potent-Women of power building empires and accomplishing goals
Unadulterated-Women who strive to be their authentic selves.
Pure-Women have pure intentions toward self and others.

To support our audience, we specialize in creating art that inspires WOC with content focused on the following topics:

Mindfulness
Self-Love
Staying Focused on Goals
Embracing Natural Hair/Beauty
Coping with Life Challenges
Embracing Purpose and Life’s Journey and other topics relevant to potential customers who are committed to personal growth

I believe that we are only our best, when we have a healthy mind . This is why BAPART prioritizes the mental health and well-being of our customers and keeps that at the forefront of everything we do.

The main challenge I had to overcome was my personal battle with depression and anxiety. I found solace and comfort through art and art therapy and was driven to share the impact of art with others.
Along the way, I have learned to embrace my journey without knowing what the end result will look like. Life is a beautiful thing when you commit yourself to experiencing new things and letting the connections you make along the way lead you to your next experience. Before you know it, you will find your personal mission in life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love nature and wineries, so I would take my friend up the blue ridge highway to Ashville and stop at various points of interest utill we reach the high point. The scenic by way with its sharp twists and turns that take you deep into mountainous forests are some of the best terrains I have ever seen. We’d start in Gatlinburg and work our way up until we reach Craggy Gardens, and take in the spectacular rhodedendron displays and jagged rocks at high elevations. We would explore exhibits on the natural history, venture on a hike up the Craggy Pinnacle trail and take in the beautiful panoramic view of vast peaks and slopes. We’d picnic there, then leave to venture to Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Gloria Ware, owner of Get the Bag Boss. Gloria is dedicated to helping black women entrepreneurs find their footing. She provides information and connections to business finance and curated gift sets for black women entrepreneuers to keep them motivated on their journey towards building sustainable businesses. Get the Bag is my go to resource for finding customers, connections, business opportunities and funding strategies. Visit www.getthebag.biz for more information.

Website: www.bapart.store

Instagram: @bapart11

Other: https://mangomaison.com/collections/bapart https://society6.com/bapart