Three Southern California women build a family fashion business for the holidays

The Famly Bizness, a Black women led retailer based in Carson, is expanding its fashion and gift lineup ahead of the holiday shopping season. The venture blends millinery, music, entertainment and mentorship into a broader push for affordable style and family entrepreneurship.

Why it matters: - The Famly Bizness is trying to turn holiday shopping into a showcase for Black women-led entrepreneurship, local ownership and affordable fashion. - The business is positioning itself as more than a retailer by tying products to mentorship, creativity and generational opportunity. - Its holiday push could help the founders reach shoppers looking for personal gifts and support independent businesses.

What happened: - Three Southern California women — Bonita Sutton, Celecia Tymeka Johnson and Lashelle Sanders — are building The Famly Bizness in Carson, California. - The business sells hats, clothing, purses, accessories, sports-themed merchandise, collectibles and keepsakes. - The founders are highlighting the brand as the holiday shopping season begins.

The details: - Sutton's background started in millinery, where she studied hatmaking at West Los Angeles College as the youngest student in a Saturday class. - Sutton learned to shape felt and straw, use wooden hat blocks and construct headwear by hand. - Sutton later continued her education through adult night school and founded Hats by Bonita in 2008 while working in information systems at Harbor UCLA Medical Center. - Johnson is a classically trained lyric soprano who studied music performance at El Camino College and California State University, Dominguez Hills. - Johnson toured Europe with hip hop in 2013, performed poetry and spoken word, and developed her own music. - Johnson now contributes to the business through product development, design equipment and hands-on production. - Sanders brings experience in acting, hosting, stand-up comedy and the entertainment industry. - Sanders also pushes for affordable fashion so everyday consumers can express individuality without spending a fortune. - The company is promoting statement hats, fashion accessories, everyday clothing and keepsakes as part of its holiday offering. - The brand wants shoppers to find pieces that feel personal rather than ordinary. - The founders say supporting independent businesses during the holidays can strengthen family enterprises and create opportunities in local communities. - The business website is TheBestFamilyBusiness.com.

Between the lines: - The Famly Bizness is using each founder's separate career path as part of the brand story, which gives the company a wider cultural reach than a typical apparel startup. - The mix of fashion, entertainment and mentorship suggests the business is aiming to build community identity, not just sell merchandise. - The emphasis on affordability signals a clear attempt to compete on accessibility as well as style. - The founders' focus on younger generations and independent designers points to a long-term business model built around legacy, not only seasonal sales.

What's next: - The Famly Bizness plans to keep expanding its selection of headwear, clothing and accessories during the holiday season. - The founders want to introduce more consumers to the brand while sharing the people and ambitions behind it. - Long-term goals include support for independent designers, emerging entrepreneurs, inclusive fashion options and youth education in entrepreneurship, creativity and financial literacy. - The women are available for interviews on family business, holiday fashion, millinery, women in music and entertainment, and independent business support.