Meet Althea Young | Founder & CEO

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

Hi Althea, what do you attribute your success to?
It may sound cliche but the most important factor of success in my business is the Golden Rule, treating people the way I would like to be treated. Customer connection is a huge part of what makes my brand successful. When you are a small business it is one of the main things that sets your business apart. I encourage my staff to build relationships with our clientele giving them a focused experience from conceptualization to the end product. My clients get to know and interact with me as the CEO and as a human being. NoBasis is all about self expression, it’s a challenge to have people express themselves or even be themselves, if they don’t feel welcome and accepted. This customer satisfaction and the loyalty it brings truly makes our brand stand out.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets NoBasis apart as a brand is that we meet you at the intersection of streetwear and customization. Our products are unique and fashion forward and then we offer the option of further customization, making the product a one-of-a-kind piece. We believe that fashion is communication so we turn people into walking billboards for their values and beliefs.

I started this journey in Strasbourg, France as a study abroad student, I’m currently in Memphis, TN so we have seen a lot of change and thrived in various environments. What has helped me to persevere is my faith in God, my determination, and my self-discipline. Nothing about this has been easy but it has been authentic. Being authentic, finding the parts you love about your craft and doing more of that and less of the other stuff, whether it be by time-management or delegation will allow you the freedom you need as an artist and allow you to stay in love with what you’re building.

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?
Being newer to Memphis this is an interesting question. I am a fan of the basketball team here so we would definitely head to a Grizzles game. We would also have to grab breakfast at Stax Pancake House, probably have bbq or friend chicken for dinner from Cozy Corner or Gus Fried Chicken. At some point we would visit the National Civil Rights museum, and probably head down South Main for a night out.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout my entire village. This includes my partner, my parents, and my close friends, who continue to remind me of what is possible, what’s been accomplished, and what the vision is. My partner helps me build out my space and strategize long-term. My parents push me to be proud of what I’ve done and they are willing to invest in the business when necessary. My close friends listen to my wild ideas and provide feedback that will help me achieve them. Having a safe space is so important for entrepreneurs, my village provides this for me.

I would also like to shoutout Comcast Rise Program, the Urban League, and the Downtown Memphis Commission, and Operation Hope. These programs have helped me with education, technology, and monetary resources throughout my journey.

Website: nobasis.co

Instagram: @nobasis.co

Facebook: facebook.com/nobasis.co