Meet Shawn Gibbs | Founder and Creative Director of Noir Atelier

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

Hi Shawn, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process in starting my own business is pretty simple, we all work hard for the next company or the next person. We all have responsibilities that need to be taken care of, you know? So why not figure out a solution on a product that’s needed and that people will always need no matter the race, the age or gender. I’ve always had an entrepreneur mindset and having multiple streams of income but with this company I took my time and thought about all the details that the bigger brands do, so why recreate the wheel?

What should our readers know about your business?
what sets me apart from anyone doing what I’m doing is I’m taking my time, the presentation is one the most important elements and I took my time to make sure it was a home-run so people felt like they were at the World’s most expensive store in Paris every time they opened our box and unwrapped our signature wrapping . I want you to feel like you spent $3,000 and you got a bang for your buck, I want the experience to feel so good you have no choice but to share it with people.

I’m excited everyday and when I see someone post about receiving the wallet you know? Like I designed that and people love it like that right there reassures me that I can compete in this designer space.

I’ve also had a couple businesses, I’ve curated plans and ideas for people and also I have a Tech job as a Global Sales Enterprise AE and I have a huge LinkedIn following of almost 18k which I’m a creator on there and I’m always planting the seeds to see where they grow so that’s kinda my background business-wise and how I figured out how to navigate.

I would say it was easy for me at this point in my life , but I don’t think its a easy thing, If I could give someone advice I would say have tunnel vision, find a product that’s not defined by an age group or just one ethnicity group so you’re not boxing yourself in but instead find something that anyone can buy, men, women, kids, 60 year old, 17 year old, 33 year old, it doesn’t matter if it’s for a gift for your wife or bestfriend, that’s when you can be a difference maker and you don’t have to worry about selling your brand to just one demographic.

I think we all would love for our friends and family to support us but if we’re being honest they’re just not your consumers so I would think of a product where if your friends and family or instagram/Facebook community didn’t support you, how can you overcome and get sales? Think of a product where you don’t have to panhandle but you can put some marketing dollars in to spend on social media ads and google ads and you can take control of your visibility and see those seeds grow that you’ve planted. I’ve learned a long time ago that you need to network, don’t be afraid to ask questions to people that are thriving, go through experiences and most importantly be Authentic with the way you move and your message.

The Company that I founded is called Noir Atelier , it’s in French so Noir is Black and an Atelier is a workshop or studio where an artist creates, so as a Black American founder that creates, the name is really appropriate for me and the consumers because we all are creatives that may have an Atelier at home. I also love Paris, I love Europe. The Brand is heavily influenced from Paris and French ways. As a Designer who loves Art, collects amazing pieces for my home and loves traveling I wanted to combine both to give people an amazing experience so I took my time and crafted leather luxury goods in art form. I also partnered with Frankie Fabre and named him the CMO of the company. This man is super talented and that gives us in-house photography for products or shoots, podcasts, in house marketing and he’s also the CMO of Desk View which is a super successful company that was on Shark Tank so he was a great addition to the Atelier.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When people come into town I take them to camelback mountain, showcase the amazing view, Its so rich over there. We also go to the Elements at the Sanctuary Jade Bar, I would say 10/10 with views and service. I would recommend them to go to Toca Madera so they can get a great experience its like Tulum vibes but with no water haha and I would say hey you should either stay in Scottsdale or Central Phoenix so you have a 10 min drive to either DT or Scottsdale Old town so you can have a decent night out and if you have some time go to Sedona and stay at the Ambiente, its kinda pricey but it’s one of a kind 360 floor to ceiling window views of red rock mountains. 10/10 would highly recommend haha.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Man, I would give a ton of my success from me being a shorty(a kid growing up to adulthood) to my oldest brother Maurice, He’s a Serial Entrepreneur here in Arizona, He’s what you call a Difference Maker you know? He’s taught me so much about just grinding and getting to it, He got that it Factor haha and it certainly rubbed off on me and mentally that gave me a advantage because I was going to outwork anybody next to me so HUGE shout out to my brother Maurice Williams man he definitely mentors a lot of people in the city and deserves credit for my success and plenty of others. Lastly I couldn’t exit the interview without giving a shoutout to my Wife Endira Diaz-Gibbs she pushed my creativity to the max and helped me with every step along the way, I learned so much from her because she’s probably one of the Top Influencers far as Designers go in Arizona and she went to school for Design so i wouldn’t be me today without her so Shout out to you Baby! Thank you Team Shoutout and Voyage Phoenix for the interview.

Website: https://noiratelierparis.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upscale.shawn/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgibbss/

Other: https://thentwrk.app.link/t4GjMfTJhDb