“Being open, honest, and vulnerable—that’s the special sauce of the business,” says Camille Alston. And from the moment we began talking, it was clear she lives by this philosophy.
On one of the rare warm February days in Nashville, she sat outside, soaking in the sun as she spoke candidly about N.B. Goods and how her small business is making a big impact. Camille moved from New Jersey to Nashville over 13 years ago to pursue a career in country music. Along the way, she found the perfect blend of Northern swagger and Southern charm—both of which shape N.B. Goods today.
“I really find myself floating between the two. It’s like I can do the southern chill, happy thing, and then I could flip on the Jersey when I need to. Growing up in the northeast, is a little bit of teeth, a little bit of attitude that comes with it. And I really just wanted to bring a little bit of that flavor to Nashville.”
Camille channeled her natural creativity into fashion. With her friends in the music industry as some of her first customers, Camille began a customization business, making tailor made goods and merchandise. This business grew into what we know today as N.B. Goods.
N.B. Goods (the N.B. standing for Neelys Bend, a Nashville suburb), has a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Whether it’s a reworked jacket from the 80s or stickers with a funny line from a movie, the small business is anything but basic with Camille’s unique sense of style and spunkiness shining through in every product, “I just kind of leave myself open, like nothing’s off limits. Whether we make stuff in house or we source it from other places, we just kind of blow with what comes to us.” Inspired by the world around her, the fluidity of fashion, and pushing the envelope, Camille’s keen, fashion-forward eye is evident at N.B. Goods. Here, you can get your dose of nostalgia with a vintage tee, throw a fit with the dopest one-of-one jackets, or even get a new mug for your morning coffee; Camille knows no limits.
“I think that fashion and gender within fashion has just come such a long way, and it’s just wear whatever you want. And that doesn’t say anything about who you are as a person or your sexuality or anything. It’s just, it’s just another way to express yourself, and you should do that however you want.”
Although Camille transitioned out of the entertainment industry, the entertainment industry loves them some N.B. Goods. The flavor of Camille’s work has found its way to some of the world’s biggest names. Camille created a Tennessee-inspired custom piece for comedian Nate Bargatze, which he donned on his Saturday Night Live episode. She even made a custom jacket with just a few days turnaround time for Oscar-winner Timothee Chalamet for a movie viewing here in Nashville. A longtime fan of Bruce Springsteen, Camille was thrilled when “The Boss” himself became the owner of a hat she designed in his honor. As a small business owner, these are not small feats, “Owning a small business, there’s a lot of lows that nobody ever sees, and I’m just trying to internalize those successful moments to carry me through all the harder stuff.”
With authenticity as a pillar of N.B. Goods, Camille does not shy away from being real about the world around us. At N.B. Goods, social commentary and charitable work are woven into Camille’s creations—intentionally. Whether it’s custom Altadena hats honoring LA in the midst of the California wildfires, making “Good Trouble” banners inspired by John Lewis, or making a custom tote for Representative Justin Jones to bring to the Capitol, making a statement is something Camille will always stand on business about.
“Once I left my job in the music industry, I wasn’t really beholden to anyone. I had a little bit more freedom to speak my mind. That just became really important to me, I didn’t leave a corporate job to still be in a shell. This is my business, and I think it’s really important for me to say what I think.”
Knowing first hand what tragedy looks like after losing her warehouse to the 2023 tornadoes, it is essential to N.B. Goods to always give back. “I think it’s beautiful for us to sell a hat and be able to get the profits, and with that, be able to raise $10,000 for wildfire relief. It’s fun to donate money, but it’s also fun to donate money and then also get something really cool.”
At the center of everything Camille does, fostering community is the key. “The whole thing about N.B. Goods is selling unique goods, but it’s also connection. I think there’s a lot of people in town who print t-shirts, print mugs, design stuff; there’s a lot of really talented people. But for some reason, we’ve just been able to build this incredible community that really feels a connection to what we’re doing.”
This connection is most evident in her East Nashville storefront, which will celebrate one year of reopening this April after the 2023 tornadoes. Its comeback wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of the Nashville community. As Camille puts it, “We owe everything to the Nashville community, truly.”
Authenticity, advocacy, and community really is the special sauce for N.B. Goods, and we are so excited to see what the future holds for the business. Camille, standing confident in her overalls, beanies, and creativity, inspires us with her swag, sincerity, and commitment to the community around her. At the end of the day, Camille’s mission is simple: “I want my legacy to encourage people to be themselves.”
Photography/Video: Elle Danielle
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Outstanding article and I’m extremely proud and happy for the child of someone I knew growing up in Jersey being the outstanding person she is. Humble, caring, giving, focused, talented, and inspirational! What the world needs now is, more people like Camille! Wishing here continued and even more success in this moment and future.