BBxCollection: Small Business Spotlight
I am so excited to get into this post, I’m just going to jump right into it! BBxCollection is an Ottawa-based, Girl-Boss run business started by Megan Racicot in 2017, which started off with Holiday tees & sweaters, and has quickly grown into a well known brand in the Ottawa area. Megan is the one-woman show behind the brand, and has made sure that everything is offered in inclusive sizes, ranging from XS to 4XL, and prints everything herself, locally. I am also lucky enough to call myself a brand ambassador for BBxCollection - I am a huge fan of supporting local, small businesses, so this was a match made in heaven for me!
Why do I love BBxCollection?
Let’s start this off with what got me interested in BBxCollection? I’ve been following Megan for a while on Instagram because, well long story short, I worked at one of her favourite stores - Kate Spade New York, so we ended up following each other on Instagram! When she started her business, I, of course, started following it on Instagram too, because like I’ve mentioned plenty of times before, I’m a big fan of supporting small businesses. This was about two years ago, and ever since, my love for small business, particularly Canadian ones, has grown even more, and some of my absolute favourite things I’ve purchased in the last year or so, have been from either small businesses or Etsy shops.
At the beginning of August, I happened to be taking a scroll through the BBxCollection website, and I noticed there was a brand ambassadors program. I decided, on a whim, to just go ahead and apply. I didn’t have any experience being a brand ambassador, and this blog wasn’t even a thought in my mind at that point, but if you’ve ever looked at my Instagram, you know that I love posting on there, and figured, why not, let’s apply - if I don’t get it, I don’t get it. Only a couple of days later, I got an email saying I was accepted into the brand ambassador program, and the rest is history!
Every piece I own from BBxCollection is soft, and super comfortable. I work in an office that is very casual, so I’ve become very used to wearing comfy clothes, and I love wearing my tees & sweaters with my jeans and leggings to work. The great thing is, a lot of these pieces can even be dressed up with a blazer, cigarette pants & heels, and you look like you are ready to slay the world (might I recommend The CEO tee for this above mentioned look). As much as I love a good graphic tee, since my whole existence pretty much revolves around cozy sweaters & being comfortable, especially in the fall (the best time of the year), I’m a sucker for the crewnecks. As you’ll see in my favourite pieces below, I go into detail about why I love them so much - read ahead!
* Please note: Boyfriend/Unisex Fit & Women’s Fit are different, please reference the size chart on the BBxCollection website before making your decision on sizing.
My Favourite Pieces
Of course, with being a brand ambassador, I’m now the proud & lucky owner of a few amazing BBxCollection pieces, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a few favourites, so here they are:
Coffee & Mascara Sweater
I would venture to say that this sweater may be the most iconic piece from BBxCollection. I feel like everyone needs one of these sweaters, because really, what else do you need besides coffee & mascara? Nothing! (Okay, maybe a few things, but let’s put it this way, I don’t leave the house without either, especially during the work week). The great thing about this sweater is it’s heavy, but not too heavy, allowing you to layer it perfectly with a jean jacket for extra warmth, but it’s also perfect on it’s own for early-fall days. This sweater is currently available in black or grey, and you can even select the colour of the text on the sweater if you order on the website! If coffee isn’t your jam, this sweater also comes in a Wine & Mascara option, as well as a Tea & Mascara, making it a great gift for anyone in your life, regardless of their preference of beverage!
Ambitious Woman Graphic Tee
If you’re taking a look through the BBxCollection website, you may notice in the footer, you can find a link to a page filled with Brand Ambassadors, and that’s where you will see yours truly! When you hover over any brand ambassador’s photo, you’ll see our fave BBxCollection tee selection. Well, mine is the Ambitious Woman tee - now let me tell you why. Firstly, the colour is perfect. I’m a big fan of mauve-pink tones because when you have red hair & pale skin, not every shade of pink looks great on you. But what I really love about this shirt is exactly what it says - Ambitious Woman. I feel like over the last couple of months, this message has really stuck with me, because I’ve started going after my ambitions. Becoming a brand ambassador, starting a blog & having a creative output have all been stuff I’ve wanted to do, but have been too scared of judgement - until now. This shirt is for all of the ladies out there who are chasing their dreams, that’s for sure ♥︎
Support Your Local Girl Gang Keychain
Has anyone else noticed how these old motel-style keychains have been so in lately?! I feel like every store I go into has them (which I am not even remotely mad about, but it’s made choosing one very difficult), but this one is my favourite, and it’s my favourite because of what it says - Support Your Local Girl Gang. As women, we’re constantly being pitted against each other, in pretty much everything from looks, careers, friendships, and just generally, overall success. It’s sometimes hard to remove yourself from that way of thinking when you’ve been brainwashed by traditional media for years that you’re always in competition with other women, and it’s something I am always working to better myself at. This keychain is the perfect little reminder that it’s always best to support women whenever you can!
BBxCO Branded Graphic Tee
Last, but of course, not least - the BBxCO branded graphic tee. Another perfect shade of pink for all of my redheaded-pale-skinned ladies & gents (and everything in between!) out there. But if I’m being honest, my favourite part about this tee is the gold text! I’m not much of a silver girl. I like it here and there, but if I have the choice, I’m almost always going to choose gold. I just feel like it looks better with the red hair, what can I say? The gold vinyl on this shirt is so shiny, and very well applied. If I saw someone wearing this on the street, it would definitely catch my eye. It’s also a great, simple graphic tee to have in your closet, and a wonderful way of promoting a small business to the world!
There you have it everyone! I hope you loved this post as much as I did. The best part about supporting small businesses, is that you’re not making a rich person richer - you’re supporting people who are just like you and I, and if you’re buying locally, you’re also supporting someone in your community. If you’ve never purchased from small businesses before, I can promise you, it feels very rewarding to know you’re contributing to someone’s dreams. Don’t forget to check out BBxCollection online, or if you’re in the Ottawa area, head out downtown to her shop located at 31 York St, on the 2nd floor, in the Byward Market!
* Cover photo & some images by Brianna Derro.
