Conversations with Bailey Murrell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bailey Murrell. 

Hi Bailey, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Culture is at the center of everything I create. I am Bailey, originally from Maryland, I moved to Colorado in 2017 and immediately started connecting with the entrepreneur community. I am the owner of an intimate womenswear boutique named CocoaHous. I also freelance through my second business amusetheagency. The essence of storytelling is at the forefront of my all my creations. I’ve dabbled in various art disciplines since I was a child—constantly evolving my passions. I draw inspiration through my senses, my big four are sight, hearing, movement, and touch. I’ve been an artist for as long as I could remember, and I finally doubled down on my niches my sophomore year while studying at a university. I poured my all into connecting with people and sharing their stories through Fashion designing and Photography. In my early twenties, I was big on videography, I always wanted to capture people and share their stories. I directed a short documentary called Skindeep which I published on YouTube; this documentary explored the lives and experiences of several Black female students. Reflecting on my efforts, I knew I wanted to curate a space for Black women to connect and create a safe space for storytelling. I now understand that remains the underlying goal for me, now seven years later, I am in a completely different state of mind, but my drivers are still the same. When you graduate from a university you can find yourself in a post-grad depression, wondering “what now?” I was determined to keep my momentum, I moved straight from North Carolina back home to Maryland for about three weeks then set my sights on the Mile High City, I never really thought of what Colorado could offer, being from the east coast when anyone brought up Colorado, I always associated it with mountains and snowboarding which is ironic because this state and community has so much to offer. I officially launched Cocoa Hous in November 2020, curating garments that are attainable with comfort in mind was my focus. I had a goal to enhance visibility with Cocoa Hous by handpicking the garments and models. Cocoa Hous is exploring exclusivity through intimate collections, femininity through our size-inclusive pieces, and cuts of the garment’s silhouettes with comfort and function in mind. We also use our platform to spread awareness of Intersectional Environmentalism through our Second Chance collection and initiative. I’ve spent sleepless nights carefully planning content and marketing strategies for Cocoa Hous because it is so important to reflect messages of empowerment, visibility, assurance, body positivity, and social responsibility. Fast Forward to 2022— I have had the pleasure to work and connect with other Black-owned brands and boss babes in this industry, set up shop at various pop-up events. I’ve traveled and curated bomb campaigns for CH and received nothing but love towards Cocoa Hous and the message behind the brand. My goal for Cocoa Hous is impact. If I can impact someone’s life through wearing one of our garments or interacting with our brand, that’s a win in my book. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This journey has had it challenges but that’s the industry. I owe it to myself to be as authentic as I can be and adapt to circumstance. Colorado’s weather can have three seasons in one day, and if there’s a planned campaign shoot, I must prepare for a backup location just in case there’s snow at 7 am sunshine at 12pm, and rain at 2 pm. I’ve learned through managing Cocoa Hous and Amuse to have a plan A, plan B, and C. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Now keep in mind that I’m an artist And I’m sensitive about my shit” – Erykah Badu 

I am the creative director and photographer for CH’s photoshoots and campaigns, I take execution and brand image very seriously. Through the use of my lens, I decided to take a separate but further approach with Photography and start freelances, I had so many concepts running through my mind I needed to bring them to life. I officially leaped with amuse early 2022, this venture is fairly new, but the mission is the same— storytelling. Conceptual fashion photography, anchored at the intersection of culture, fashion, and beauty. Amusetheagency acts as a guide for millennial creatives, amplifying their voice through aesthetically pleasing visual storytelling and content curation. Why wait for a seat at the table when we can create our own! It’s time to drop the veil, Black Creatives exist in Colorado, and I am making it my business to give space where we can network, build relationships, and connect in our community where we’re empowered by each other. Amuse is hosting creative meetups once a month during the summer. I also offer collaborative projects partnering with local Hairstylist, Makeup Artist, Nail Techs, Wardrobe Stylists, Photographers, and Models; where we can curate content and strengthen portfolios. Amusetheagency has an upcoming project that will be released in June, you can stay up to date with that by following our Instagram page @amusetheagency. Amuse also I has an event coined COLORFUL, AF that invites Black Women from all over the state to meetup and create. I refer to both CocoaHous and Amusetheagency as Womanist brands, I have Alice Walker to thank for that! 

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
It’s so important to know yourself as an individual and a contributor. Everyone has their role to play in society and the community and it’s up to that individual to define their own role and discern which direction they’re willing to take. Understanding your impact is crucial in this world but it takes a lot of shadow work and perseverance to come to terms with how you want your messages to be received through the businesses and brands you create and market for. Whether it’s your personal brand or your business. Set yourself apart and do the research because if you are just mimicking successful brands that you follow, your brand may never be able to stand on its own. You may not be able to establish an original brand image, and these are notions I am still working through myself. 

Find the joy in your passions and have fun while creating and connecting. 

Contact Info:

• Email: cocoahous@gmail.com // hello.amusestudio@gmail.com
• Website: Cocoahous.co
• Instagram: instagram.com/cocoahous // instagram.com/amusetheagency
• Facebook: Facebook.com/cocoahous // Facebook.com/amusetheagency
• Other: Book Amusetheagency – https://www.honeybook.com/widget/amusetheagency_212885/cf_id/621ee5618c7aaf145b58de65

Image Credits
Amusetheagency