Today we’d like to introduce you to Alysa Kelly.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have always believed that every person is uniquely created by God with purpose, gifts, and value. As a woman of faith, one of the things that has weighed heavily on my heart is seeing how many people especially young women struggle with their identity because of the messages they receive from society. Every day, they’re told they have to look a certain way, dress a certain way, or become someone else to be accepted. Social media, celebrities, and unrealistic standards have made comparison feel normal, and I wanted to create something that reminded people of a different truth.
That’s how BU Brand was born.
BU isn’t just the name of my brand-it’s a daily reminder.
Believe in yourself. Unleash your purpose.
At its heart, BU simply means “Be You.” It reminds people to embrace who they are, discover their purpose, and become the best version of themselves, not someone else’s version of success. I want people to know that their worth isn’t determined by trends, likes, or the opinions of others. Their worth comes from who they are and the purpose God has placed inside them.
Right now, BU Brand offers apparel such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats, but clothing is only the beginning. Every piece is designed to be more than something you wear. I want it to serve as a reminder that you are strong, capable, worthy, beautifully and wonderfully made, and uniquely created for a reason.
This vision started small. I introduced the brand to my family and close friends, and their encouragement has meant everything to me. Seeing people wear BU and connect with its message has confirmed that this vision is about much more than clothing. It’s about creating conversations, building confidence, and inspiring people to see themselves differently.
My long-term vision is to grow BU Brand into a movement that reaches far beyond apparel. I want to create mentorship programs, etiquette classes, leadership development opportunities for young women, empowerment workshops, speaking engagements, conferences, scholarships, and community initiatives that help people discover their purpose and become confident leaders. Although BU is for everyone, I have a special passion for investing in young women because I believe they deserve positive role models who encourage them to lead with confidence, character, integrity, and self-respect.
I know this journey is only beginning, but I believe God placed this vision on my heart for a reason. My prayer is that BU Brand becomes known not just for the clothing it creates, but for the lives it inspires. If one person puts on a BU shirt and is reminded to believe in themselves, pursue their dreams, or embrace the person God created them to be, then I know I’m fulfilling my purpose.
BU Brand isn’t about changing who you are. It’s about giving you the confidence to become who God created you to be.
At the end of the day, that’s what BU is all about.
Believe in yourself.
Unleash your purpose.
Be You.
Be confident.
Be authentic.
Be courageous.
Be kind.
Lead with character.
Dream big.
Use your gifts.
Walk in your purpose.
Because the world doesn’t need another copy of someone else. It needs you!! exactly as God created you.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like many entrepreneurs, my journey hasn’t been a straight path, and I don’t expect it to be. One of my biggest challenges has been learning to trust God’s timing while building a vision that’s much bigger than where I am today.
BU Brand was never just about selling clothing. From the very beginning, I knew God had placed something much bigger on my heart. A movement that encourages people to believe in themselves, discover their purpose, and become who He created them to be. When you have a vision that big, it can sometimes feel overwhelming because you know where you want to go, but you’re taking one step at a time to get there.
Another challenge has been balancing entrepreneurship with a full-time career, continuing my education, and life’s everyday responsibilities. Like many small business owners, I wear many hats. I’m the designer, marketer, photographer, social media manager, customer service representative, and business owner all at once. There are days when progress feels slow, but I’ve learned that building something meaningful takes patience, consistency, and faith.
One lesson I’ve had to embrace is that I don’t have to compare my journey to anyone else’s. It’s easy to look at established brands and wonder if you’re doing enough, but I’ve realized that every successful business started with one idea and one person willing to take a step of faith. Instead of comparing my beginning to someone else’s middle, I’ve learned to celebrate every milestone and trust the process.
I’ve also learned that building a brand with purpose means staying true to your mission, even when it’s tempting to follow trends. It would be easy to focus only on creating clothing that sells, but I never want to lose sight of why I started. BU Brand exists to inspire people, not just dress them.
Through every challenge, my faith has been my foundation. I truly believe that if God gave me this vision, He will provide the wisdom, opportunities, and people needed to help bring it to life. Every obstacle has strengthened my perseverance and reminded me that growth isn’t always measured by how quickly you arrive, it’s measured by the person you become along the way.
“I’ve learned that God doesn’t always reveal the entire staircase. Sometimes He simply asks us to take the first step in faith.”
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about BU Brand?
BU Brand is more than a clothing brand, it’s a movement with a mission.
BU stands for “Believe in Yourself. Unleash Your Purpose.” At its core, it simply means “Be You.” It’s a reminder that every person was uniquely created by God with purpose, value, and gifts that no one else can offer.
We currently offer apparel, including T-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats, but clothing is only the beginning. Every design is created to encourage confidence, authenticity, and purpose. I want every person who wears BU to be reminded that they are enough, they are capable, and they don’t have to change who they are to fit into someone else’s expectations.
What makes BU Brand different is that we are not simply creating clothing, we’re building a movement. My mission is to inspire people to believe in themselves, embrace who they are, and become the best version of themselves. Although BU is for everyone, I have a special passion for encouraging young women because I believe they need positive examples that remind them their worth isn’t determined by social media, popularity, appearance, or society’s expectations. Their value comes from their character, their purpose, and the unique way God created them.
As the brand grows, my vision extends far beyond apparel. I want BU Brand to become a platform for mentorship, etiquette training, leadership development, empowerment workshops, speaking engagements, conferences, scholarships, and community initiatives that help people discover their purpose and develop into confident leaders.
Right now, BU Brand is still growing. I’ve started by sharing it with family and close friends, and the encouragement and support I’ve received have confirmed that this message resonates with people. Every person who wears BU becomes part of something bigger than a brand, they become part of a community that believes in authenticity, confidence, and purpose.
My prayer is that BU Brand becomes known not only for quality apparel but also for changing lives. I want people to remember that BU Brand isn’t about changing who you are. It’s about giving you the confidence to become who God created you to be.
I believe clothing can start conversations, but my hope is that BU Brand starts transformation. If someone walks away believing in themselves a little more, embracing their uniqueness, pursuing their dreams, or discovering their God-given purpose, then BU has fulfilled its mission.
Believe in Yourself. Unleash Your Purpose. Be You.
What are your plans for the future?
My future plans for BU Brand extend far beyond clothing. While I currently offer apparel such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats, I see those as the beginning of something much bigger.
My vision is to grow BU Brand into a lifestyle brand and a movement that inspires people to believe in themselves, discover their purpose, and become the best version of who God created them to be. As the brand grows, I plan to expand into a full clothing line that includes apparel for men, women, and children while continuing to create products that reflect the mission of the brand.
Beyond fashion, my greatest dream is to build programs that invest in people. I envision BU Brand offering mentorship opportunities, etiquette training, leadership development programs, empowerment workshops, speaking engagements, conferences, scholarships, and community initiatives that encourage personal growth and help people realize their full potential.
Although BU Brand is for everyone, I have a special passion for empowering young women. I want them to know that their worth isn’t defined by social media, popularity, appearance, or society’s expectations. Their value comes from their character, their purpose, and the unique way God created them. My hope is to create safe spaces where young women can grow in confidence, develop leadership skills, build meaningful relationships, and learn to embrace who they are.
As a woman of faith, I believe God placed this vision on my heart for a reason. I know this journey will require patience, hard work, and perseverance, but I trust that He will guide each step. My prayer is that BU Brand becomes known not only for quality apparel but for changing lives, building confidence, and inspiring people to live with purpose.
When I think about the future, I don’t just see a clothing company. I see a community. I see young people discovering their gifts, leaders being developed, lives being encouraged, and people from all walks of life wearing BU as a reminder that they don’t have to become someone else to succeed.
They simply have to Believe in themselves. Unleash their purpose. Be You.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bu.beyoubyalysa?utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FGoobjtMm/?mibextid=wwXIfr
