Watching parents teach the art of entrepreneurship is always a wonderful thing. It’s even more lovely when you are able to witness something as fantastic as the Bourne Brilliant team. Consisting of sisters Lyrica, Zaira and Nadira, with the assistance of their mother, Syrheda, Bourne Brilliant has made a phenomenal impact on their community through their business which sells homemade, plant-based goods.
Not only is this family business primarily ran by the sisters, but the success of their business stems from an initial desire to give back to their community in Tallahassee, Florida. AFIYA Magazine had the pleasure to speak more with mom, Syrheda and two-thirds of the ‘kidpreneur’ team, Lyrica and Zaira, about their business and bonding as mother and daughters.
AFIYA: When and how did Bourne Brilliant first get started?
Lyrica: It started off as a charitable venture in 2013 with us giving food away in the community. Then, I asked our mom if we could start a business so we could also earn something. We still give back, but we needed funds to purchase the supplies. We weren’t always doing plant-based products, but then we decided that we wanted to give the community a healthier food choice.
AFIYA: Syrheda, what were your thoughts when you saw that the girls were ready to take the business to the next level?
Syrheda: After Lyrica suggested the for-profit component, I encouraged her to speak to her dad and pitch the idea. I was excited at just the idea that they wanted to start a business at such a young age, but their father was the one who asked all the business-related questions and made sure they were ready for the commitment. After they assured him that they were ready, he gave them $50 to start out. They did really well their first time out vending in Tallahassee, and then he asked for the $50 back. They were upset, and it was at that point that we all had to sit down and have a serious discussion about how business really works. They decided that they wanted to stick with it, and when I saw that they were serious at such a young age, I had no choice but to be supportive and get on board. I’ve always had to play catch up with them.
AFIYA: What are some big reasons as to why you all really wanted to give back and continue doing so?
Zaira: There are some people who are less fortunate with getting food. For example, those kids who got school lunches during the year and then during the summer, they wouldn’t have anything to eat.
Lyrica: There have been days where some of my classmates were hungry during the school day and so we donated to the school so that they’d be able to eat.
Syrheda: Back when Lyrica was in the 1st grade, there were days when she would come home and say, “I hope it’s okay that I gave my snack to so and so, I know you only packed one for me.” I’d have to tell her that it was alright to help her classmates and other people because we have always been big on giving back to the community.
They saw those examples in myself, their father and our extended family. We sometimes set up at different places just to give food out. Those are key lessons for the girls, and we have not always been as fortunate, as well. I remind them that there is always someone out there who is doing worse than you.
AFIYA: Each of the young ladies has her own role. What are you responsible for, and what has it taught you up to this point?
Zaira: I’m the bookkeeper, and it has helped me with my math. We’re dealing a lot with numbers in school right now, and through this I am able to work better with the money part. At one point, I was having troubles in math and didn’t really get it, but assisting with the money helped me to understand it more.
Lyrica: With social media, I get to play around. My mom and I are both new to social media so we have had to figure it out and play around with it bit. I like learning new things
Syreda: The youngest sister, Nadira, assists with packaging and shipping. The girls have also gotten the harsh reality of how business contains so many different aspects to it, which was hard for them to grasp at first. With social media, Lyrica has been able to see the importance of informing your current and potential customers and being present. Seeing the return of her time and effort helped to create more excitement. They’re also seeing that many of the things they’re learning in school are things that can be implemented into business.
AFIYA: What are some of the inspirations for creating new products?
Syreda: Both on the maternal and paternal sides, they come from a line of artisans, and there are a lot of recipes that have been handed on from both sides. My challenge to them was to take some of those traditional recipes and create something healthier for our community—lower the sugar, fat, cholesterol etc. Sometimes inspiration also comes from a custom order, and we prepare new items based from that.
AFIYA: What would you say has been one of the bigger challenges you’ve had and how have you been able to overcome them?
Syreda: The girls are at the forefront of the business—they are the face—but it’s a family effort, and it takes a lot of time, energy and commitment. Even though dad is not here, physically, he’s still very involved in the business. There are definitely rough times, and sometimes it can be a lot and overwhelming. Coming into this year, we agreed that we would give them more time to be children and relax. We don’t want it to feel like a job for them, even though it is. We want them to have their breaks and really enjoy their childhood.
AFIYA: What made you all decide to transition to healthier eating?
Syreda: April of last year was around the time when we realized that plant-based and holistic living was very important. I was vegan about 24 years ago for a while, and now I’m pescatarian. The girls have seen some things happen to me that really inspired them to offer more of the healthier options. Health-wise, I was not in a good place, and they’ve seen me hospitalized and struggling with my weight. We too are transitioning and working as a family to eat healthier. I’m vocal with people about that and letting them know that it’s a struggle and a journey that we are actually doing on too and not just telling others to do it.
Lyrica: When you’re trying to transition your diet, it helps to have your family do it with you. It provides you with more support rather than holding you back because they are doing the opposite.
AFIYA: What is it that motivates you to keep going and push past the difficulties?
Lyrica: People’s feedback and seeing that one product that can help someone. Knowing that people are inspired by our work makes me feel like I want to keep going.
Zaira: When people try out products and really like it, they consider eating healthier because of what they tried from our business.
Syreda: They even have customers who have been with us for a long time and to see their transformation—weight loss, diet changes, feeling better, etc.—is so motivating. The young ladies are so invested in it. I’ve had business ventures in the past fail. They’ve been there with me and seen it. I think them being up close and personal in that area helps for them to really see and learn how things go and to push forward anyways. They are truly making a difference—and we know because of these real conversations with real people.
Both Lyrica and I deal with a form of thyroid disease. I had it for a few years and they saw me struggle with it. She received that diagnosis at the end of last year. So she has had her set of struggles as well—lack of energy and focus, fatigue, migraines, etc. She pushes through. The fact that these girls are transforming people’s dietary habits and lives, that’s enough motivation to keep going.
AFIYA: What are some of the other ways in which your mom has helped you all?
Zaira: She motivates us to keep going. She’s our cheerleader.
Lyrica: During interviews and public speaking events, she’s there to help us get our thoughts and explanations out. She’ll also help us with social media too and tell us if there is anything we need to adjust
Zaira: And she tries our food out when we make something.
AFIYA: What are some other things you all are looking forward to doing?
Zaira: I hope we get to a point where we can open up a bakery.
Lyrica: I never want to get tired of it. I think it would be great where once we have kids, we can pass the business on to them. And we thank the community and all of our supporters because you all are the ones who inspire us to keep going.
AFIYA: What would be your advice to anyone who is looking to start a business or follow their dreams?
Lyrica: When you plan to start a business, speak with your family about what you would like to do so everyone is aware and can support.
Syreda: I always talk to them about making sure your business venture lines up with your passion. Your investment will be greater when they do line up. Do your research. Know what you want to do and who you want to be before you go into it. Never allow the paths of your personal life cross with your business life. It can sometimes be hard, but it’s important to stay focused.
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