A Young Indigenous Entrepreneur, Tyra Paul Shares Her Story and Creates Clothing to Improve Mental Health Care

Tyra Paul is from Pictou Landing First Nation, but is now living in Sydney, N.S. (Erin Pottie/CBC)

Tyra Paul helps those going through similar struggles

Tyra Paul was on a dark path before discovering a therapeutic outlet in clothing design.

Drip Avenue 902 is a clothing line designed by Indigenous entrepreneur Tyra Paul, who uses her business to support those dealing with mental health and addiction issues – something Paul struggled with for years.

“Since I was 13, I dibble dabbled in substance abuse and alcoholism, and after high school, I went into university and just kind of got into a little bit more of stronger things and before I knew it, I was falling apart,” Paul said.

More dangerous substances, relationships deteriorating, and a car accident stacked trauma on top of trauma, leading to a personal rock bottom.

At her absolute breaking point, Tyra called her mom from a Halifax residence in December 2018.

Today, Tyra is warm, bright, and full of life – but you might not have recognized her that day, at just 90 pounds and not at all herself.

Tyra’s mom picked her up and she entered treatment at Abbie J. Lane, of the QEII Health Sciences Centre – where she would spend the next month in recovery.

“That year, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder,” Tyra says. For the first time, Tyra got the medication and therapy needed to move forward.

“The people at Abbie J. are amazing,” she says, “the roles they play – my care providers were like, six jobs wrapped into one.”

Healing isn’t linear – and Tyra’s journey reflects that. She has experienced many ups and downs.

After a falling-out with her immediate family, Paul moved in with her grandmother.

“And while I was there, something fell into place – tie dyeing shirts.”

Paul says everybody seemed to love the design of her shirts, so she began doing pop-up shops around Pictou Landing.

And soon after, Drip Avenue 902 was born.

One entrepreneur who took Tyra under his wing is Travis Francis, of Lucrative Apparel. He helped her connect with the people she needed to create her brand.

@tyrapaul
folllow my small business on facebook and instagram! this brand is to help raise awareness of mental health and addictions, 10% goes to QE2 hospital!
♬ PHONKY TOWN – Playaphonk

follow my small business on Facebook and Instagram! this brand is to help raise awareness of mental health and addictions

As the summer weather came to an end, so did the tie-dye. As the weather grew colder, Tyra developed a brand to put on her sweatshirts with the help of Jay MacLeod from Maritime Design.

“This brand is all about shifting the stigma on mental health and addictions. I’m sharing my story so I can help others feel less alone in this pandemic,” she said.

Earlier this year, Tyra partnered with the QEII Foundation and donated 10 percent of her proceeds to support critical e-Mental health services. She is among a community of donors who, together, are helping to ensure all Nova Scotians have free access to online and text-based e-Mental health tools for those experiencing mild to moderate distress or symptoms.

It’s just one of many ways the inspiring entrepreneur is giving back.

Tyra is grateful for every person who has helped her along her journey – her mother and father, who never left her side, her sister, who always knew that Tyra was capable of more, and her friends, who never gave up on her and always visited her when she was sick, and the team at Abbie J, Valley Regional and others.

One counselor, in particular, has been with Tyra from the beginning.

“She’s seen my ups and downs. She’s seen everything. She’s honestly, so relieved because over that time we’ve grown a relationship and she hopes for the best for me. And I think by me coming out on the other side, she can lay her head down at night and say, ‘I’ve done my job.’”

“I’m really proud of where I’m at today,” Tyra said, “I feel I can be a role model for those who have lost their way.”

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