BRIANA THOMPSON
Name: Briana Thompson
Age you feel: 15
Where you grew up: I was born and raised in NYC then lived in Maryland 12-16 and Gwinnett County, GA 16-18, but always NYC cause my dad lives here
Cultural background: Panamanian & Black
2020 mantra: Be Bold
Briana in front of a wall at Spiked Spin in bedstuy
HOW DID GROWING UP IN NYC, MARYLAND AND GA SHAPE THE WOMAN THAT YOU ARE TODAY?
I love that I've lived in many cities and experienced many different lifestyles. Each time we moved, my family was in a better financial situation and it allowed me to see the social impact financial stability have on people first hand. Having not only the exposure but the experience is what I believe gives me so much empathy. I am able to find a connection with most people as I like to be as open as possible to different lifestyles, different points of view, and trying to leave a positive impact along the paths that I cross.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY AS A KID?
Hanging with all of my cousins at my grandma's house, even now, my favorite moments are when my whole family is together!
TOP 3 SONGS TO DESCRIBE YOUR TEEN YEARS:
Hmmm... this is hard but I know my favorite three albums from high school are 50 Cent Get Rich or Die Trying, Pharrell In My Mind, Beyonce B'Day, and as a bonus Pretty Ricky Blue Stars.
Beyonce B’Day — Get Me Bodied Video
TELL US ABOUT THE WOMEN IN YOUR FAMILY:
I am obsessed with the women in my family! Now that I am an adult I notice the distinct differences in each of them and can see how each of them have impacted who I am today. I love how much love I can feel when we're all in the room together. The one thing that my mother has specifically taught me (through her actions) is that anything I want, I can have if I'm willing to work for it — my only limit is myself.
Briana with her mother.
SO YOU AT THE START OF 2020 YOU LEFT YOUR FULL TIME JOB TO MAKE YOUR BUSINESS YOUR MAIN FOCUS. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS AND HOW YOUR PREPARED TO TAKE THAT LEAP?
My business is a hip-hop wellness brand, called Spiked Spin, created to diversify the boutique fitness industry and diversify the space in terms of race, body type, and socioeconomic backgrounds. I built the brand as a 'side-hustle' (hate that term) for three years before deciding it was time. To prepare for the leap I organized my finances and focused on my why. Why did I feel the need to pursue this business, Why was I leaving the comforts of my career to do it, Why does the world need Spiked. Once I got very clear in my why, and received the extra push from my husband that it was time, I made the leap. So scary!
WHEN DID YOU KNOW THIS WAS THE THING YOU WANTED TO PURSUE, DID INTUITION TELL YOU OR DID THE UNIVERSE PUSH YOU RIGHT INTO IT?
I think it was a combination of intuition and God. I always had a gut feeling that this was the company that I was destined to build and that the visions I have for the brand will truly impact generations, but beyond that, the way things began to align, it provided positive reinforcement that God is in the midst and I need to be more faithful that fearful.
A WORD! ALRIGHT, WE ALL DEAL WITH MICROAGGRESSIONS, OR WITH SOMEONE WHO FORGETS OUR CREDENTIALS... TELL US ABOUT A TIME THIS HAPPENED AND HOW YOU HANDLED IT
To be honest, this happens a lot in the Spiked studio. Many times I am in sweats and a bun, no make-up and I'm cleaning the bikes or working the front desk and people have been quite rude or disrespectful, until they find out I'm the owner. I rarely let them know because I prefer to see people for who they truly are, but it's quite interesting to see how people treat you based on who they think you are. When it comes to microaggressions, I used to just like to let the work speak for itself, but now, I do not. I realize that the work does not speak for itself and it's up to me to speak for it, so with that I intentionally step out of my comfort zone to speak up and speak my truth! It's not my nature but it makes me feel bold and empowered every time I own my truth out loud!
THE LATEST THING YOU LEARNED (BIG OR SMALL)
This sounds cliche, but I recently learned that I can literally do anything. The challenges I've faced in opening the studio and growing this brand are insane, but I've always figured out a way —including laying tiles in the bathroom. I can literally do anything and it's the most amazing learning!
FOR WOMEN STARTING THEIR OWN BUSINESSES, WHAT'S ONE THING YOU WISH SOMEONE HAD TOLD YOU WHEN YOU WERE STARTING YOURS?
It's okay not to have a five year plan, sometimes just start!
Fast round:
Fav follow on Insta: @aureta, @skylarmarshai and @foundr
Fav beauty product: Vitamin C
One book read this year: Three Magic Words
Early riser or night owl: Night owl, but usually have to be an early riser for business
Stay in or go out: Stay in
Coffee or tea: Coffee
90s or 2000s R&B: 90s
The one thing you want for women of color: E V E R Y T H I N G, I want women of color to know and live in their magic, we have NO limits!
LOVED LEARNING ABOUT BRI? FOLLOW HER JOURNEY VIA INSTAGRAM AND SHOW SPIKED SPIN LOVE!
