Chicago mom creates T-shirt line to empower women of color
A South Side Chicago mom turned her passion of empowering women into a serious side hustle.
She started her own line of T-shirts that have caught the attention of celebrities.
"I was working a full time job, it was a career that I wasn't sure I loved, and I kind of needed a creative outlet so I had a friend who told me about this old song from the 70's called ‘Bon Bon Vie,’” said Shari Williams.
“La bonne vie” is French for “the good life,” and that's exactly what Williams wanted to create but not just for herself.
"At the time I started the business, kind of felt like there was a gap in the market when it came to t-shirts, inspirational shirts for women of color,” Williams said.
She put her background as a graphic artist to work and was focused on empowering black women.
"I just want to spread the message of love and positivity and being comfortable in your own skin,” Williams said.
Her T-shirts with phrases like “Slay,” “Brown Skin Woman,” and “Caribbean Queen” caught the eye of some high profile celebs, like Issa Rae from HBO's “Insecure,” Yara Shahidi from “Black-ish,” and Thandie Newtown from “West World.”
"She actually found me on Instagram and asked me to send her some shirts and she wore them,” Williams said.
Printful, an online company, prints, packs and ships the orders so Williams can focus on her full-time job.
With a young daughter watching mom's every move, being a T-shirt titan has turned into more than a hobby.
"I just want her to be proud of me and be proud of going after my dreams and I hope that inspires her to do the same,” Williams said.
You can find Shari's shirts, totes and mugs on wearbonbonvie.com. They range in price from $15 to $40.