Today we’d like to introduce you to Wanda Carter.
Hi Wanda, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Wanda Carter and I am a Black Minority Lesbian Woman. I work as a special Ed teacher for Minneapolis Public Schools, South High Head Volleyball Coach and I am the Owner of NoExcuses Brand. I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business Management from Univ. of Phoenix & a Masters in Education from Univ. of Thomas. With my background and working with the youth, it inspired me to bring more opportunities for the ones around me and focus on ways I can make a difference. I wanted to put BOTH degrees to use. An inspiring Teacher with a Brand that can change individuals’ lives.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being a Black Minority Lesbian woman comes with its own challenges. We have less opportunities and have to work twice as hard to prove ourselves and our success. College was very hard but nonetheless motivated me to go harder and finish. With life happening every day and facing challenges that some don’t, allowed me to become the strong individual that I am. After working with the Youth for years and creating my brand, it was time to learn new skills. Even with them being challenging, learning how to manage a classroom, 4 volleyball teams, successful youth events, and producing quality apparel, made me who I am today. I am very passionate about what I do and making as much positive impact as I can. My plate is full all the time and it can get exhausting personally. Then I eliminate all excuses and keep pushing.
We’ve been impressed with NoExcuses Brand, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I have a Bachelor’s in business management. I was not sure how I was going to incorporate my business degree into my life until one day I read this post and it said, “The only thing stopping anybody from success is an EXCUSE.” I resonated with this post for so long and sat on it. Then one day it just came to me, live with NoExcuses every single day and you will create SelfSuccess, in which brought me to my Brand; NoExcuses Brand. Now that I have came up with a name, I needed a logo. I was very inspired by the 4th principle of Kwanza; Ujamaa. It focuses on Cooperative Economics and bringing wealth & thriving businesses into OUR own communities. The middle of my logo was inspired by that, and the other pieces just flowed together. The crown is a reminder to keep your head held high and be the King/Queen you are. With everything put together, it was time to inspire the world and motivate them to live with NoExcuses every day. I started off using my brand with events for the community. Backpack/ school supply drives, Turkey giveaways, community basketball games with other thriving brands like “ASG” & “B’Tru 2 Self”, and opportunities for the youth to learn new skills. Then came the apparel. I don’t consider NoExcuses Brand a fashionable brand at all, and that’s what sets us apart from others. It is more of a lifestyle focused on the decisions that we all make and a way for everyone to live and make a difference in our communities and next generations. I believe if we all eliminated the excuses stopping us from becoming better individuals, we can change the world together. Literally, the only thing stopping YOU from succeeding is an excuse. I mostly push my Brands mission & vision statements to the youth to motivate them to start eliminating those excuses NOW so they can create SelfSuccess. But I do believe the world needs to hear this message and change as many lives as possible. I live with NoExcuses every day to inspire those around me to do so as well.
The easy part was coming up with the Brand, then came the hard work. Starting from scratch off of a teacher salary can be very challenging, so I was forced to cut the 3rd party apparel printing out and learn a new skill. So I began teaching myself how to create the apparel on my own. I start with screen printing, then vinyl & heat press, heat transfer paper, and last embroidery. I struggled the most with screen printing. Most of it I learned from YouTube and researching everything. It was one of the most challenging things I ever had to learn from scratch, there is a lot that goes with creating apparel that I did not know. But my main focus was QUALITY apparel not QUANTITY. Being that I have a Business degree, I knew a lot of the business side already and the main departments I needed to focus on in starting out. One thing I did learn was that consistency is the key to being successful in this business.
I am most proud about us starting from the bottom and our growth showing where we came from. The inspiration my Brand holds is unmatched, everyone can relate to it. It’s a lifestyle for us all.
Please look out for all events and apparel drops on all social media platforms. You can purchase apparel in-store or online.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Live with NoExcuses everyday and create SelfSuccess!
-NoExcuses Brand
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: noexcusesbrandshop.com
- Instagram: noexcuses_brand
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/NoExcusesBrandLLC/?ref=bookmarks
