Written by: Beena Yusuf of SHE Magazine USA
When stepping into the unknown, a surge of fear can be the natural reaction. The fear of change, the fear of failure, or even success. However, risk-taking is often the crucial moment when collecting courage and facing fear leads to rewarding outcomes. This is the tale of entrepreneurial courage, from a former teacher to a fashion brand creator. After teaching for over 12 years, she resigned and took a daunting leap into the fashion industry with her brand, ‘Break the Cycle.’
Launching a brand involves not just a massive change in profession, but a grappling with vast topics such as graphic design, marketing, social media management, and customer engagement strategies. For the creator of Break the Cycle, every new design is a risk and investment, a time-consuming process that includes planning the design, determining the theme message, the colors, fonts, and even deciding on suitable apparel. Yet, every day, she endeavors to take this risk, fuelled by a palpable excitement, a goal centered around empowering others with distinctive designs and personal stories of survival.
Everyone influences and shapes Break the Cycle, from her mother and grandmothers, who imparted life lessons to her branding strategist Sahar Paz, who encouraged her to own her voice and share her story. Also noteworthy are her friends in the media and wellness industry, who have been instrumental in helping her steer her brand on social media. And Elva Trevino/ Founder of Beautiful Minds is an impactful mentor.
“Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” A Jack Canfield quote she firmly believes in. In the midst of other creative small businesses owned by women, Break the Cycle stands out. The brand, built impressively during the challenges of a pandemic, actively promotes awareness against abuse through collaborative initiatives. Carrying hard-hitting slogans that advocate for change and resilient living, its minimalist apparel color palette is designed with simplicity and versatility in mind.
Selling these designs takes more than physical inventory; and it takes breaking through personal barriers and overcoming the fear of failure. As a survivor, she advocates for breaking generational cycles to encourage purposeful living. The goal is clear. The brand seeks to inspire others to fight against societal evils like machismo, racism, inequality, hate, and abuse through the power of positive messaging.
Behind every successful woman, though, is a supportive network. From business partner Reggie Roy to locals providing social media strategies and motivation, this fashionpreneur acknowledges the value of community in her journey. Her family, friends, and many others have exchanged knowledge, supported and encouraged her. Gratitude for this network is profound, as they have all played important roles in developing, launching, and sustaining the Break the Cycle brand.
Break the Cycle conveys more than just design and fabric. As the brand itself states, “Clothing is more than just fabric; it’s a canvas for self-expression and a statement of identity, where fashion becomes an art, and style tells a story.” The items released under this brand carry an empowering narrative with an aim to create impact and incite change.
As she ventures through the unforgiving landscape of entrepreneurship, the lessons learned are invaluable. Every challenge carries a lesson, and every stumble is a hidden stepping stone towards greater triumphs. With a new collection of designs on the horizon, the founder is optimistic about its acceptance and the influence it will have in continuing to inspire positive change.
The journey of Break the Cycle is a testament to defying odds, braving risks, and relentlessly pursuing dreams. It is proof that standing up against fear and taking risks can bring about transformative accomplishments. In the bigger picture, it is not just the success that counts but the passion and bravery exhibited in the face of uncertainty.
To stay updated with the journey of Break the Cycle and its inspiring entrepreneurial narrative, follow along on the brand’s journey via their social media platform @elizabeth.roy_official, linkedin.com/in/elizabethroybtc, https://www.pinterest.com/breakthecyclebrand/,
https://twitter.com/btcapparelbrand
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCjKDfJ0sYS8veJzsIcP-cg
Instagram; @breakthecyclebrand
As the brand continues to evolve and grow, its core mission of promoting empowerment and advocating for change will continue to resonate in its apparel and accessories.
