We had the good fortune of connecting with Brianna York and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Brianna, how does your business help the community or world?
I always wanted to start my own business, but I didn’t want to do it unless my business could be used to help others. I decided to make self defense keychains because I made one for myself when I was 17 years old. There were so many times I felt lucky to have such tools on my person. I know there are a lot of women who were not in such position. The statistics of women being assaulted is daunting. For Black and transgender women, those rates increase drastically. We live in a society where violence against women is the norm, It is expected. These keychains do not solve the issue at hand, but it does give women access to the protective equipment they need. It is better to be prepared and protected, than to be vulnerable. If I can help even one person feel safer in this cold world, then I am satisfied.
What should our readers know about your business?
I am incredibly proud of my business. Indomitable is my first business venture and It is going very well. I think what sets me apart from others is that I am truly passionate about self defense. Since a teenager I carried self defense products, and my own experiences are what inspired me to start this business. I am a full time college student. I found myself struggling to find a job due to this pandemic and recession. I had 600 dollars saved and I decided to invest it all into Indomitable. Luckily, and by the grace of God I was successful. It was not easy in the slightest. It was a mental battle because this was a huge risk that just happened to pay off. I needed that money, but decided to follow my gut, and I am so glad that I did. You must be confident In your decisions and willing to take risks when needed. You can’t let your mind scare you away from your aspirations. You must leave your comfort zone. This has been the biggest issue for me and I am still learning to adjust quickly and solve problems efficiently and accurately. It takes time, and one day I will get there.
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?
I would take them to Universal Studios and Disney World, of course! I live very close to the all of the theme parks and there’s always something new to discover. We would stay at the Marriott Vacation Club in Orlando. There, we would enjoy a huge suit, 5 star food, relaxing spa treatments and other amenities. Every day we would visit a different park, ending the day at an amazing restaurant and taking a dip in the pool right before bed. I absolutely HAVE to visit the Orlando Cat Cafe. It’s one of my favorite places for great desserts and adorable cats. On our last day, we would visit the Coca Cola center to try different beverages from all over the world.
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 absolutely MUST shoutout my family. They have supported me so much throughout the development of this business and they provide much needed emotionally and moral support. My mother and father have provided the resources I needed to launch and for that I will be forever grateful. I also must thank my friends, who have been my right hand. Whether it be staying up with me while I package keychains late at night, to giving me ideas on what steps I should take next. Lastly, I would like to shoutout God. He has blessed me and put me into a position to make these sets. I owe everything to God and with his blessing I plan to continue providing such a product.
Website: indomitable.shop
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/__indomitable_/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianna-york-384139152/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopindomitable