Meet Brandyn Jenkins | Business Owner & Homebody Enthusiast

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

Hi Brandyn, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I came up with Homebody Friends back in 2018. I remember saying to myself “I wish I had more Homebody Friends” on a long drive home from a house party. From that day on, I’ve been working on building & expanding Homebody Friends with the use of Shopify and a Facebook group (also called Homebody Friends, which you could still join today). I sell shirts, hoodies, and other household items & accessories for people that resonate with the brand.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been a Homebody for awhile now (approximately since 2015). It wasn’t until 2017 when I realized I could get paid for just being myself, so in the following year I built the website and setup my very first online store. The concept made sense to start out as an online company so that people wouldn’t have to leave their home to shop with Homebody Friends. We actually started out as a Facebook group that grew to a few thousand over time. We talk about staying home and what it feels like to be a Homebody.

My mission is to change the negative connotation of being introverted or being a Homebody. People tend to think being anti-social is a bad thing and that’s not true at all; sometimes we just don’t want to talk to anyone, and that’s okay. I wanted to relay that message through graphic design, but I didn’t how to use Adobe Illustrator. Not being able to create new designs was probably one of my biggest challenges.

It wasn’t until this year (2021) when I learned how to use Adobe Illustrator as well as Photoshop to create merch designs. The biggest lesson in that challenge was actually a blessing because I learned a new skill. As the owner, it is imperative that I know and understand every aspect of Homebody Friends. I wouldn’t have anyone do anything I wouldn’t do for my company.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First, I would ask them if there’s anything particular they’d like to do. I love being able to treat my friends but I’m sure there’s so much to do.

As much as I love being a Homebody and staying inside—I’d probably go to Hanny’s, here in the heart of downtown Phoenix. They have an excellent drink menu and their strawberry shortcake is delicious. Arizona has some of the best hiking trails and mountains we could climb (depending on the time of year). My best friend is also a Homebody, so we’d probably do a movie night with our favorite snacks after a home cooked meal.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout my mom, Mena Davis. She’s been there in my corner as my biggest supporter since I started this business. Homebody Friends wouldn’t be anything without Mena Davis. Thank you for being my mother.

Website: www.homebodyfriends.com

Instagram: @Homebodyfriends

Twitter: @Homebodyfriends

Facebook: @Homebodyfriends

Other: TikTok @Homebodyfriends