Joseph Braxton, Owner
"Lapels 4 A Cause"
By Darise S. Deal
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Copa: Where did you grow up?
Joseph: I grew up in South Baltimore, in a small town in Cherry Hill. Later, we moved to west Baltimore. After some time, we moved to Pasadena, Maryland and Severna Park Maryland in Anne Arundel County where I attended high school. I had a diverse background growing up. |
Copa: What schools did you attend?
Joseph: Since growing up, I attended Carter G. Woodson Elementary School (an African-American historian whose work established Black History Month) and later attended Chesapeake High School in Pasadena, Maryland. I also did a few years at a community college. My college major was undecided, so I had the opportunity to study different areas, such as interior design, architecture, communication and even massage therapy. Although my major was undecided, I always had that entrepreneurial thought in my head. |
Copa: What experiences in your past have helped you develop your unique skills in your business?
Joseph: Having worked in many customer service and retail healthcare settings has helped me to have an understanding of the differences in clients, their needs and what they want and how to please them, as well as good listening skills.
Joseph: Having worked in many customer service and retail healthcare settings has helped me to have an understanding of the differences in clients, their needs and what they want and how to please them, as well as good listening skills.
Copa: The Washington, DC metropolitan area is a special place, what encouraged you to establish your business here?
Joseph: I wanted to stay in this location because it’s not too far away from my mom and my family. I was always running back and forth from DC to Anne Arundel County. Eventually, I became tired of making that drive. So I thought to myself, “I’m always in DC, so why don’t I just move closer.” I moved here and I slowly started showing up on the social and networking scenes. Slowly, I built a brand and a name for myself.
Joseph: I wanted to stay in this location because it’s not too far away from my mom and my family. I was always running back and forth from DC to Anne Arundel County. Eventually, I became tired of making that drive. So I thought to myself, “I’m always in DC, so why don’t I just move closer.” I moved here and I slowly started showing up on the social and networking scenes. Slowly, I built a brand and a name for myself.
Copa: Lapels4ACause, would you like to explain to us what it’s all about?
Joseph: I’ve always been good with my hands as a massage therapist and also because I make things. I could have easily just decided to sell the pins and make money off them. But anything that I do, I want it to have some sort of meaning behind it. I wanted Lapels4ACause to have a philanthropic message to it. So I decided to call it Lapels4ACause. My goal is to bring awareness of so many social issues that impact us all. To this day, we stigmatize, we ignore and we judge. There is so much we don’t know. I wanted to try to find a way to emphasize these real issues and causes. So I thought why not “Enhance Style with Awareness?”
Lapels4ACause supports all causes. Any cause with a ribbon, it supports it. HIV, cancer, abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, lupus, Alzheimer's disease, autism, etc.
Joseph: I’ve always been good with my hands as a massage therapist and also because I make things. I could have easily just decided to sell the pins and make money off them. But anything that I do, I want it to have some sort of meaning behind it. I wanted Lapels4ACause to have a philanthropic message to it. So I decided to call it Lapels4ACause. My goal is to bring awareness of so many social issues that impact us all. To this day, we stigmatize, we ignore and we judge. There is so much we don’t know. I wanted to try to find a way to emphasize these real issues and causes. So I thought why not “Enhance Style with Awareness?”
Lapels4ACause supports all causes. Any cause with a ribbon, it supports it. HIV, cancer, abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, lupus, Alzheimer's disease, autism, etc.
Copa: Please share some information regarding your upcoming events and projects.
Joseph: I just did an amazing interview and photo shoot for He 2 Magazine. Read the full article here: http://he2magazine.com/2016/02/successful-3/. Watch the promotional video here: https://www.facebook.com/399569553402743/videos/1323781757648180/. I also have a few radio interviews coming out closer to my book release, which will launch in May of 2016. I believe this will be a turning point in my life. My book represents a cause that’s very dear to me. It’s a self-help book for anyone who feels that they have been robbed of anything in life. It’s going to help you find ways to regain your life after you’ve been robbed. It’s a deep story that’s going to blow everyone away! It will shock everyone! I don’t want to give too much away. I want everyone to read about it and be fascinated by it. My book is a great piece of work, and I’m happy to work on a project that I will complete.
Joseph: I just did an amazing interview and photo shoot for He 2 Magazine. Read the full article here: http://he2magazine.com/2016/02/successful-3/. Watch the promotional video here: https://www.facebook.com/399569553402743/videos/1323781757648180/. I also have a few radio interviews coming out closer to my book release, which will launch in May of 2016. I believe this will be a turning point in my life. My book represents a cause that’s very dear to me. It’s a self-help book for anyone who feels that they have been robbed of anything in life. It’s going to help you find ways to regain your life after you’ve been robbed. It’s a deep story that’s going to blow everyone away! It will shock everyone! I don’t want to give too much away. I want everyone to read about it and be fascinated by it. My book is a great piece of work, and I’m happy to work on a project that I will complete.
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Copa: Each lapel that you create is so unique. What inspires your design concepts?
Joseph: I like to think outside the box and be different. I try not to create things that are too cliché. Sometimes the designs of the pins come about as I’m making them. There are a lot of times where a thought will just hit me, and I’ll have to hurry up and get on my table and make the pin because I’m excited to bring it to life. The designs just come naturally to me. I just make them. |
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Copa: What is your favorite quote?
Joseph: I have two favorite quotes. One is “Live, laugh, love.” I love that. Life is about positivity, faith and love. You have to live to enjoy your life. You have to just smile about things, stop being so down about things and laugh about them. Love is understanding what’s different in this world and just loving. We have to stop hating so much. Another favorite quote is “Darkness precedes the light to a better day.” This quote comes from the lyrics of a song by one of my favorite artists, Mariah Carey. Both quotes resonate and have a deep meaning for me.
Joseph: I have two favorite quotes. One is “Live, laugh, love.” I love that. Life is about positivity, faith and love. You have to live to enjoy your life. You have to just smile about things, stop being so down about things and laugh about them. Love is understanding what’s different in this world and just loving. We have to stop hating so much. Another favorite quote is “Darkness precedes the light to a better day.” This quote comes from the lyrics of a song by one of my favorite artists, Mariah Carey. Both quotes resonate and have a deep meaning for me.
Copa: What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Joseph: My advice is to always be consistent, and be ready to sacrifice. Stay aware of things. Listen, network and stay authentic.
Joseph: My advice is to always be consistent, and be ready to sacrifice. Stay aware of things. Listen, network and stay authentic.
Copa: How long have you been in business and how have you been able to sustain your business over the years?
Joseph: Lapels4ACause is a growing brand. It started in October of 2014. Actually, I’ve been an entrepreneur since 2008 doing massage bodywork and promo work. It takes a lot of sacrifice, faith and drive to sustain a business.
Joseph: Lapels4ACause is a growing brand. It started in October of 2014. Actually, I’ve been an entrepreneur since 2008 doing massage bodywork and promo work. It takes a lot of sacrifice, faith and drive to sustain a business.
Copa: We understand that you are being honored in March with a special award. Please elaborate
Joseph: I was nominated by Tino Anthony of the Sophestique Excellence Awards, because of what Lapels4ACause stands for, which is awareness. This special award honors entrepreneurship and community outreach. I’m very excited about it. I’ve done so much in the community – whether it’s for homeless shelters, homeless people, or volunteering – and it’s now being recognized. When it comes to entrepreneurship, I am being recognized for building my brand through Lapels4ACause and other businesses. Tino does a lot of philanthropic work, so I was very honored to have been nominated for this award.
Joseph: I was nominated by Tino Anthony of the Sophestique Excellence Awards, because of what Lapels4ACause stands for, which is awareness. This special award honors entrepreneurship and community outreach. I’m very excited about it. I’ve done so much in the community – whether it’s for homeless shelters, homeless people, or volunteering – and it’s now being recognized. When it comes to entrepreneurship, I am being recognized for building my brand through Lapels4ACause and other businesses. Tino does a lot of philanthropic work, so I was very honored to have been nominated for this award.
Copa: How can people order lapels and learn more about your organization?
Joseph: To order your custom lapel, send an email to [email protected]. I also have a GoFundMe.com/joebraxtontouch link set up to assist with the fees associated with obtaining my LLC and website. Very soon, my website Lapels4ACause.com will launch. In the near future, people will also be able to order my book upon it's. |
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Copa: How can people follow you on social media?
Joseph: Follow @Lapels4ACause on Instagram, Facebook, Periscope and Twitter. |
Copa: What does the future hold for Lapels4ACause and Joseph Braxton?
Joseph: I would like Lapels4ACause to be known for more than just fashion, but also fashion with awareness. Eventually, I would like us to evolve into a sponsored household brand where people can feel proud to know that no matter what they are dealing with or have dealt with, that someone in this world understands them, wants to be aware of what they are going through and someone truly cares. As for Joe Braxton, I want people to know that everything I’ve gone through in life has humbled me to be the person I am today. What you see is what you get. I’m never fake. Never superficial. I want to be known as someone who is aware, authentic, genuine, consistent, compassionate and empathetic. Someone who cares about this world and everyone in it. That’s how I want to leave my mark.
Joseph: I would like Lapels4ACause to be known for more than just fashion, but also fashion with awareness. Eventually, I would like us to evolve into a sponsored household brand where people can feel proud to know that no matter what they are dealing with or have dealt with, that someone in this world understands them, wants to be aware of what they are going through and someone truly cares. As for Joe Braxton, I want people to know that everything I’ve gone through in life has humbled me to be the person I am today. What you see is what you get. I’m never fake. Never superficial. I want to be known as someone who is aware, authentic, genuine, consistent, compassionate and empathetic. Someone who cares about this world and everyone in it. That’s how I want to leave my mark.
For more information about Joseph Braxton: www.josephbraxton.com www.lapelsforacause.com
~Copa
(Layout by Rodney Wayne Branche)