2021 40 Under 40: Brittany Bilyeu

Facilitating and incorporating creativity into her work is a primary goal for Brittney Bilyeu, co-owner and creative director at Culture Flock Clothing. If her work can be done through collaboration – even better.

“There is nothing more enriching to me than two or more people coming together to achieve a common goal,” she says.

Since establishing the retail business, Bilyeu, 37, also has made it her mission to promote social issues close to her heart and support local organizations including The GLO Center, Better Block SGF and Community Partnership of the Ozarks. Bilyeu also helped co-found the Queen City Craft Show in 2015 to promote local artists and raise money for charities.

She hopes to use Culture Flock’s status as an LGBTQ- and women-owned business to increase visibility of the community in Springfield.

First job? A server at the Montclair Retirement Community.

Proudest moment? Opening the Culture Flock brick-and-mortar shop in Galloway Village on Oct. 11, 2018.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever received? My mom always told me growing up to find something I’m passionate about and figure out how to make a living out of it.

Favorite podcast? “Design Matters,” with Debbie Millman. It’s a podcast where a wide variety of successful creatives are interviewed with a focus on the arc of their lives.

Recent TV show binge? “The Handmaid’s Tale.”