Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Gray.
Hi Julia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey began at the University of Wisconsin in 2007. I met my current business partner, Laura, in the Textile and Apparel Design program. We became instant friends and knew that one day we’d own a company together. Flash forward to 2017 and we launched a Kickstarter campaign in hopes of raising $30,000 to complete the production of our first capsule apparel collection. Our goal was met and LeroyQuinn.com went live!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
A smooth road? Not at all. Leroy Quinn, an apparel and accessories brand, is a side hustle. That means working on nights and weekends and whenever I have a free moment to check my phone or email. Laura and I do everything on our own. We design the products, source the fabric, pack, and ship all sales, manage our website and inventory, and create all content for our social media sites. Aside from just needing to find the time for LQ, there is always the struggle of being the little guy when it comes to getting on a manufacturer’s schedule. Our products are made in the United States which we are extremely proud of, but that can mean higher prices, longer lead times, and anything else you can think of that might discourage a small business from moving forward.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Leroy Quinn is my passion project, for sure. But my full-time title is Product and Wardrobe Stylist. I work with photographers and brands across the country to help create beautiful imagery for their products! I specialize in both on-figure styling and laydowns/pinups/tabletop work which I think is one of the things that sets me apart from other stylists. Not everyone is great at on-figure and off-figure.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
My whole career has been risky. The life of a freelancer kind of feels that way regardless. I moved to New York right out of college to work in theater. My next risk; taking a wardrobe job with a cruise line and living on a ship for 6 months! I moved back to Wisconsin for a short time and worked in both theater and as a stylist, and then I moved to Nashville without knowing anyone in 2015, just to do it. When I moved to North Carolina in 2016, I signed with an agency and continued to work as a stylist. Dumped the agency, (risk), and now I just hustle every damn day.
Contact Info:
- Email: juliagraystyle@gmail.com
- Website: juliagraystyle.com, leroyquinn.com
- Instagram: @juliagraystyle, @_leroyquinn
Image Credits
Adrienne Hess Photography
