Welcome to Bay Area Built: a short-form space for us to feature some great businesses in the Bay Area that we think deserve your attention. Kicking off Small Business Month, we’re chatting with Mason from Unincorporated, a retail clothing shop based in Castro Valley. Here’s what Mason had to say about his experience being a small business owner, how long he’s worked with MVP, and his personal favorite Bay Area small business.
MVP: Hi Mason! Thanks for coming over & chatting a little about Unincorporated. We were excited to get you for the first feature during Small Business Month!
MVP: Feel free to introduce yourself and a tell us a little about your small business. What does Unincorporated do?
Mason: Hey, thanks for having me! My name is Mason James and I am the founder of Unincorporated. Unincorporated is a clothing boutique that offers a thoughtfully curated selection of laid-back, California-inspired Men’s and Women’s styles alongside footwear and locally inspired designs that cater to our Castro Valley community and beyond. We carry brands like Marine Layer, Vuori, TravisMathew, Rhone, Z Supply and many more, while also providing a small line of our own graphic tees and sweatshirts.
MVP: What’s the story behind starting your business? Where do you see Unincorporated in 5 years?
Mason: I launched Unincorporated back in 2022 with one goal: to bring the best clothing brands I discovered in my decade-plus in the fashion industry back home to Castro Valley. In five years I hope the Castro Valley location has become an institution within the community, and I would love to open another shop somewhere in the Bay.
MVP: How long have you been partnering with us here at MVP for your apparel and promotional items?
Mason: I’ve been partnering with MVP since the very beginning of Unincorporated! The business existed for about a year and a half before my storefront opened in 2024, so those first eighteen months included various street festivals and pop-ups where my only products were my own designs, printed by MVP.
MVP: That’s so cool to hear! We’re glad we got to be a part of your start in some small way. What’s your go-to apparel or promotional item to help boost your brand?
Mason: For sure our line of Castro Valley-inspired graphic tees and apparel. CV is a small town with a very tight knit community. There’s essentially only one high school where most kids are funneled into, so everyone knows everyone. Also, most adults who live here also grew up here. It’s very generational so my local designs really strike a nostalgic and prideful chord with the residents. Most of the designs are a very “if you know, you know” kind of situation.
Some of Unincorporated’s Castro Valley graphic designs, available online and in store here.
MVP: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting their own small business in the Bay Area today?
Mason: Do your homework for months beforehand. You can never be too prepared and expect the unexpected so you’re never caught off guard. There will be ups and downs and the lows will be low but just keep pushing forward, one step at a time as cliché as it is.
MVP: And finally, give your favorite small business a shoutout! What’s your favorite small business in the Bay Area right now – and why should everyone go support them?
Mason: They are one of my neighbors so I’m biased, but Beyond The Leaf here in CV. They’re like if a plant store had a baby with a museum gift shop. So many fun things to discover each time you’re in there and they also have retro shows you can watch and retro games you can play.
MVP: Awesome! Thanks for sitting down with us, Mason! We’re happy we got to connect & always happy to keep partnering with you & Unincorporated.
For more info on Unincorporated or to shop any of their items, click here or visit their storefront! Also be sure to check out their Facebook and Instagram pages for a good time.
