Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle Sumlin.
Gabrielle, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Starting this journey has been a long time coming, that’s for certain! I always knew I wanted to work for myself – I wanted to create something, be my own boss, and make my own terms. For years, I just didn’t know what that looked like.
I’ve always loved fashion. It’s a puzzle to me – what could I match with today? How can I wear this leopard skirt with this sweater and these boots? These two worlds of business and fashion never collided in my head until about a year ago.
I spent years deferring my dreams of being a business owner. Mainly due to fear and doubt. It wasn’t until September 2018 that I decided I couldn’t ignore this itch any longer and it’s when I learned I was going to be a mom! I had no more excuses. How could I one day encourage my daughter to fight hard for her dreams if I couldn’t do it myself? I knew she’d be watching and looking up to me. I haven’t turned back since!
I officially launched on May 17 and my daughter was born May 22. It’s been a whirlwind since! Navigating motherhood and running my shop simultaneously is no joke, but I love it! I’m so proud of myself. I took a risk (and still do everyday) and am living my dream and am on my way to reaching my goals of running a successful fashion business!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s been as you would expect starting a business would go. It’s scary taking a leap and not knowing which way is up or down. Will you land on your feet, or will you miss. Somedays, I question if I did the right thing – going out on my own. There are times I buy a piece and I’m certain everyone will love it, and it flops and that’s disheartening. But then I have another pieces fly off the racks and people asking when it will be back, telling me they love my style and can’t want to see more – that’s why I keep going. Bad days are for certain, but so are great ones. That’s enough to keep me moving forward.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Roots – what should we know?
Roots is an online clothing shop for women. For now, we exclusively sell online – we don’t have a brick and mortar, but our goal is to have one, one day.
We’d like to think we’re known as the shop you can turn to for more than just today’s fad. We certainly love to carry pieces that are popular, but we really love to provide staple pieces that our customer can take and turn into her own look. We love seeing women in our clothes and making them their own!
We’re most proud of the principals we stick to. We don’t run out and buy what we see flying off the shelves of other stores’ racks – that market is flooded in our opinion. We love a good fad and trend piece, but we’re much more passionate about providing pieces our customer can turn to year after year.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Tons of people have been there for me emotionally and physically. My husband is amazing and has my back every step of the way. He’s always waiting with a kind word when I’m second guessing everything and never lets me doubt myself. You’ll even see him hustling at my pop-up events!
My family has been supportive, along with my best friend, Mallory! They always share my posts on social media and even snag some pieces off my site every now and then!
Professionally (and personally), our photographer, Cait Carr (Bobo), has been an absolute blessing. Being online, pictures are everything and photography is expensive! She was our wedding photographer and we slowly began working together professionally and she is always willing to help out when I need shots (which is always)! She’s so empathetic and a fellow small-business owner herself and it’s just amazing to have another female in my corner, willing to help because she’s been there too. There’s no price on that!
Pricing:
- Items run between $20-60 for the most part
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shoprootsatl.com
- Email: hello@shoprootsatl.com
- Instagram: @shoprootsatl
Image Credit:
Cait Carr Photography
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