Meet Shajuana | Owner of BGA & Graphic Designer

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

Hi Shajuana, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Being a graphic designer and managing a screen printing company, I was always creating for other people. I began feeling drained because I felt like I was constantly pouring into other people but not into myself or my dreams. So, I decided to create a brand for my son and I. I wanted something we could wear and be proud of. I didn’t want anything to busy or trendy. I wanted something classic that could be worn at any time. That vision led to BGA.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve always been artistic. I’ve loved to dance and draw since I was 3 years old. When I graduated high school I knew exactly what I wanted to major in college. Graphic Design. I did so and received my Bachelors from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.

Being in the creative field can be tough. You assume you’ll graduate and immediately start making a nice salary while being able to do something you love. Not the case. I worked for Ad Agencies and inside creative departments at corporate companies, but was never the creative artists. Even though I was not able to showcase my ability, I was able to learn, understand and grow as a designer. I was able to see all sides of the creative process, as the producer and the consumer, the creative and the client.

When I look back on my experiences, I can see exactly how each job I had, each position I held, and each relationship I built go me to this point. I learned that my path is specifically designed for me. It doesn’t look like anyone else’s. I see now why I wasn’t hired into certain positions. It all makes sense now.

BGA is brand created to help you to remind and encourage yourself. Regardless of what path life takes you, you are Black/Blessed, Gifted and Amazing. Your destiny is yours, and knowing who you are is the foundation for anything great!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Hmmm. If a friend was visiting Fort Worth for the first time, here’s a small itinerary of what we’d do. This includes some of my favorite places and black-owned spots to frequent.

Day 1:
– Downtown Fort Worth/Sundance Square – There’s plenty to see, delicious restaurants and picturesque places to chill.
We’d check out a play at Jubilee Theatre, eat across the street at Mi Cocina, grab dessert at the Cheesecake Factory, then hit up Scat Jazz Lounge that night for some good entertainment and drinks.

Day 2
– West 7th Street – This could be an all day affair as well. Starting with brunch at Snooze, then doing a little shopping and sightseeing up and down 7th street. Lunch at either Pho District or Rodeo Goat, depending on how full we want to get. Dessert at Cinnaholic then enjoy some of the night life 7th street has to offer.

Day 3
– Chill Day. Go to Trinity Park and take a walk or do some bike riding down the trail. Once the hunger sets in, get some great bbq from Smoke-a-holics BBQ. My friend would have to try their Big Mac!

Day 4
– Start off with some morning pick me up from Black Coffee Coffee Shop. Then, we’d head over to the Cultural District to check out the FW Museum of Science and History, the Kimball Art Museum, the Modern Art or the Amon Carter. We’d dine at Drew’s Soul food Restaurant and devour some of their famous fried chicken.

Day 5
– It’s off to the FW Stockyards. You can’t bring someone here and not take them to this historic district. We’d walk around and shop, watch the cattle drive, and I’d try my best to get them on the mechanical bull! I’d take them to Los Vaqueros Restaurant for Dinner.

Days 6 & 7
– We could do a little more shopping/window shopping at the Shops and Clearfork. Eat at a few more good spots such as Ooowwweee Wangs and Catfish and Doughboy Donuts. We may even venture over into to Arlington to Texas Live and to see the Cowboys Stadium.

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?
I’d like to shoutout my closest friends and family for motivating me to start BGA, supporting BGA and continuing to push me today. Specifically, I’d like to thank Shaun Mayfield, Marvin Manuel, Larry and Trisha Spears, Corey and Ashley Haynes and Jai Garrett. These individuals were there at ground zero. These were the individuals that said, “You should make that a business and we believe it, and you, can do great things”. I’d also like to thank Brian Banks, the owner of All City Screen Printing (the company I manage). Without his insight, support and advise, BGA wouldn’t be where it is today. Last but not least I’d like to thank my parents, Wayne and Awanda Starks and of course my son, Micah Kai. Their love and encouragement is unmatched. Since I was little, my parents have always pushed me out of my comfort zone to become better. I sincerely thank them for that. I would not be the person I am, have the skills or the confidence I have without them. My son IS my motivation.

Website: www.bgamazing.com

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