Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaylan Boss.
Hi Kaylan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The idea of Suburb Pop blossomed in late 2017. Kat was a few weeks away from announcing the release of her first poetry book, GIRL, WHO HURT YOU? and we decided to plan a book release. The main objective was to create an elevated experience for our family and friends. We booked our favorite local band, Grand Lotus to play, and Kat created branded merch for her book and personal brand. I also created a storefront experience for my online boutique, The Visionary Boss. I was able to promote my lifestyle blog while showcasing my beauty and jewelry line.
The event was nothing short of amazing. Who knew a three-hour pop-up would generate so much buzz, social media engagement and live sales. Being able to interact with our guests and provide an upscale retail experience felt like a dream come true. After that event, both Kat & I knew that we needed to continue creating aesthetically-pleasing experiences.
Six months later, we hosted an intimate, indie pop-up event in South Tampa. We invited about a dozen small businesses, makers, and boutiques to this event, including one of our favorite food trucks, Craving Donuts. The event encouraged small business shopping and community and local culture. The artisan, earthy venue and overall vibe of the event drew the attention of local bloggers, creators and market shoppers.
Since then, we’ve created inclusive social shopping experiences all throughout the Tampa Bay area; from fashion shows to poolside soirees, self-love brunches and night markets. Launching Suburb Pop has created an impressionable community and online impact. For nearly four years, we have fostered a community of young professionals in technology & art, and business, creatives, and small businesses owners.
Being Black-business owners and creators, we wanted to curate a platform for other BIPOC small local businesses. These curated pop-ups have given minority-owned vendors, businesses and culinary concepts the opportunity to increase their digital footprint, engagement, and revenue while developing their community and brand identity. At the same time, we felt the need to create an inclusive, welcoming experience and space for our community. We wanted to create high-production activations that were intentional, colorful and most of all comforting. What made us different from other markets is that we truly honed in on curating our own ambiance and flair.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Suburb Pop grew fast, very early on. We had to wear many hats as business owners and founders, from being head of marketing to being accountants, digital advertisers, and content creators. Getting firsthand experience as business owners allowed us to see from the perspectives of other small-owned businesses and start-ups. The reality is many Black and minority-owned businesses starting out do not always get the luxury of having their own traditional brick and mortar storefronts, access to large marketing budgets, and financial backing. Thankfully, that never limited us. It just made us more passionate and connected to our band. When we were faced with a challenge, we were actually presented with an opportunity to naturally find a resolution. Operating an event business as college student took lots of discipline, personal sacrifice and time management.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Since then, we’ve created inclusive social shopping experiences all throughout the Tampa Bay area; from fashion shows to poolside soirees, self-love brunches and night markets. Launching Suburb Pop has created an impressionable community and online impact. For nearly four years, we have fostered a community of young professionals in technology & art, and business, creatives, and small businesses owners.
Being Black-business owners and creators, we wanted to curate a platform for other BIPOC small local businesses. These curated pop-ups have given minority-owned vendors, businesses and culinary concepts the opportunity to increase their digital footprint, engagement, and revenue while developing their community and brand identity. At the same time, we felt the need to create an inclusive, welcoming experience and space for our community. We wanted to create high-production activations that were intentional, colorful and most of all comforting. What made us different from other markets is that we truly honed in on curating our own ambiance and flair.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
Our biggest advice is to fully utilize your resources and to be receptive to learning new things. Suburb Pop’s success has been rooted in creative vision and personalization. We designed our own website, managed our social media channels and created every pop-up and market concept. Using the analytical skills from our business management courses, projects and undergraduate research, along with free resources helped us build the foundation of Suburb Pop. We believe in having an hands-on approach and truly aligning with our business, from the operational side of it, to the creative side of it. Mentorship and networking is critical, but has happened for us organically. About a year into Suburb Pop, we attended a networking event at Tampa’s Factory 114. For whatever reason, we felt a magnetic energy pushing us to go to the event. Thank God we listened to that little voice. Who would’ve known that the talented individuals of Levitated Entertainment that we met at the event would end up being a part of our creative production and media team. We also built a relationship with Andre, the founder of Factory 114. That following Spring we were able to host a community marketplace and art gallery at his venue, which helped us gain more visibility and public outreach.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/suburbpop
- Facebook: facebook.com/suburbpop
Image Credits
Andrew Holness from Levitated Entertainment Jamie Bullock from Caught By Jamie
