Meet Skye Thomas | Owner/ Founder of OnlyAfterTwelve

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

Hi Skye, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success?
Audacity — plain and simple. The audacity to show up fully, boldly, and unapologetically me. From day one, I’ve led with authenticity, even when it made people uncomfortable. I built my brand by honoring the parts of myself that the world told me to tone down — and that’s exactly what made it magnetic.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
OnlyAfterTwelve is more than a brand — it’s a MOVEMENT. I created it as a fetish lifestyle and wellness space that centers Black women, femmes, s-x workers, queer folks, and other marginalized communities. We make merch, host events, and hold space for people reclaiming their power, their pleasure, and their healing.

What sets us apart is that we blend softness with edge. Sensuality with strategy. Movement with meaning. Our events aren’t just yoga classes or Pilates sessions — they’re liberatory experiences. Our merch isn’t just cute — it’s a statement, a reclamation, a middle finger to systems that try to dim us. Our “SMD” socks are a straight up fck you to NYPD and police brutality!!! Because fck that!!!

I’m most proud of how much love and intention lives in this brand. From the design of our grippy socks to our Heauxlistic Healing™ wellness series, everything is created with community and s-x workers at the center.

But none of this was easy. I’ve been told “no” more times than I can count. I’ve had to fund my dreams from scratch, learn everything from the ground up, and fight for visibility in spaces that weren’t built for people like me. But I kept going — because this work isn’t about me alone. It’s about all of us.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to trust my vision, even when others don’t understand it yet. And to never shrink just to make other people more comfortable.

If the world takes anything from my story, I want it to be this: You don’t have to wait for permission to be powerful. You don’t have to water yourself down to be successful. Build the thing you wish existed. That’s what I did — and I’m just getting started!!!

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?
If my best friend came to visit, we’d skip all the tourist traps (no shade to Times Square, but we’re not doing that) and head straight to the heart of Brooklyn — where the real culture lives.

We’d start in Bed-Stuy, my favorite neighborhood in the city, hands down. We’d grab brunch aPeaches, and hit up some local Black- and Caribbean-owned shops. From there, we’d make our way to Little Caribbean in Flatbush — grab patties or roti, pick up herbs and oils from a metaphysical shop, and soak up the rich culture that makes Brooklyn what it is.

One day would be dedicated to wellness — maybe a Pilates or yoga class followed by a sound bath or healing circle. (Yes, I’d host one myself if the timing’s right. Duh.)

Of course, we’d spend time just vibing — catching sunsets at the pier in the West Village, dancing at a queer day party, and ending at a speakeasy with good cocktails and even better conversations.

NYC is full of “cool” places, but to me, the most exciting people and experiences come from the community. The artists, the organizers, the creatives, the dreamers. That’s where the magic really is.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I 100% would like to give credit to my Mother! Not only has she stood by my side from day one on this journey, she’s also invested her hard earned money into my dreams. I literally owe my life to her.

Website: https://onlyaftertwelve.com

Instagram: onlyaftertwelve & skyeboogie