Today we’d like to introduce you to Maurice Sapp.
Maurice, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I serve as the Brand Manager and Designer for BeastMode Sportswear, the entrepreneurial fashion arm of Super Bowl champion, and my brother, Marshawn Lynch. Additionally, I am formally the Content Manager and Digital Media Host for Hip Hop Weekly Magazine. Currently, I am the Media Director and host at BeastMode TV, which can be found on YouTube currently and will be launching their site BeastMode.TV in the near future.
Born and raised in Oakland CA, and being the oldest of five siblings, I was determined to attain success outside of the hood life I grew up witnessing. After graduating from Skyline High School, I went on to attend Boise State University, graduating in 2004 with a degree in Communications/Journalism—minoring in both Marketing and Sociology.
After establishing a successful marketing career, I left corporate America, deciding instead, to further pursue entrepreneurial endeavors. Creating a branding and entertainment resource, Good Look Media, I continued to develop fashion & beauty brands, curating events nationwide. To take advantage of a booming cannabis market, I established a new company, Baked x Boujee, a lifestyle brand aimed at removing the stigma of African Americans in cannabis by curating events and merchandise that appeals to the luxury black community.
I am also a member of the Oakland Based Non-Profit, Fam 1st Family Foundation, formed by my brother and cousins, fellow Oakland Natives/ NFL Athletes, Joshua Jackson and Marcus Peters.
Having worked with Athletes, Influencers and Musicians such as Teyana Taylor, Matt Barnes, Solo Lucci, Kat Tat, DC Young Fly, Taj TPK, Donovan Carter, Moniece Slaughter & Mistah FAB; I continues to emerge as a creative talent to watch!
Leaving the comforts of the corporate world and jumping into entrepreneurship isn’t easy. Can you talk to us about some of the challenges you’ve faced?
While the road has been glorious it, it has definitely not been smooth. So much uncertainty. Questioning whether or not leaving the consistency and comfort of Corporate America was the right decision. Financial struggles are one of the most difficult things to deal with as an entrepreneur. Sometimes you’re doing really well, sometimes you aren’t, and unfortunately, you don’t always have a paycheck coming every other Friday.
There is also the struggle of introducing something new to people. People are creatures of habit and they are sometimes slow to try something new. Most people want to wait until others have experience and reviewed it before they try it for themselves. You have to create enough excitement about anything new to overcome that apprehension.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I consider myself to be a jack of all trades. For BeastMode, I am building the media arm of our production company. I interview celebrities, artists, and athletes, I plan events, facilitate sponsorships and partnerships, and produce content. I also design all of the compression underwear for the apparel arm of the brand.
Being a photographer for my brand-building company, Good Look Media also referred to as GL Shoots, has afforded me a lot of opportunities as well. I have been too blessed to consult in the brand development of several organizations and individuals such as Shea Moisture, Hip Hop Weekly, BeastMode, and BossTenders. I have also been fortunate enough to photograph Teyana Taylor, Christian Combs, Marcus Peters, K. Michelle, and Donovan Carter to name a few. Currently, with my partners, we have been doing a lot more music & commercial video production.
My newest venture Baked x Boujee has drawn the attention of some very large companies who are seeking to partner with us to create a luxury space within cannabis culture where urban people can thrive and be comfortable.
I am proud to have been able to embrace my creativity and create practical applications for my ideas within their respective industries. It feels amazing that people receive my ideas and are willing to invest in bringing them to life. It is the ultimate compliment. The thing that sets me apart from others is that I am driven by the satisfaction of watching a dope idea come to life. Money, fame, and notoriety are things that are great by-products of doing dope work, but these aren’t the things that drive me. Watching a great idea come to life is my great pleasure.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Right now most of my focus is media and brand building. I love sitting with these great individuals and hearing them tell their stories. BeastMode TV will be the next great media company that conveys messages to the public in real, raw, honest ways that are not divisive or destructive. I would love to explore other media as well. I love producing, directing and maybe even acting.
I want to explore as many mediums as I can contribute to. Baked x Boujee lifestyle brand has launched its site and I am now planning the next five events including merchandise drops. I have some new partners who are excited to help push their brands forward by sponsoring BxB events. Outside of that, I will continue to listen to ideas, continue to create, and hope the world continues to embrace all of my efforts to create experiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: @mr_gl, @gl_shoots, @bakedxboujee, @officialbeastmodetv, @beastmodestore
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr_gl/
Image Credit:
Supermillion Visuals
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