Inspiring Conversations with Dashaun Greer of ShaunGCustoms

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dashaun Greer.

Hi Dashaun, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hello, I’m ShaunG. I’ve always had a passion for clothes and everything that had to do with design, I started designing and customizing shoes when I was 16 because I never really enjoyed wearing the same shoes and clothes as everyone else. I always had a different style when it came to clothes. I express myself through my shoes and clothes so I always wore glitter shoes and once I got comfortable with that, I branched off and started bleaching and hand-painting clothes to match my shoe sprinkling glitter so I can stand out. My mother invested into me and got me a T-shirt machine. She has seen my passion for clothes I was only 17 but I’ve always been ahead of my time so I felt like I needed more income. My first job was at Bojangles in Huntsville, Alabama I worked 60+ hours a week because one thing I loved more than my clothes was money if I’m going to do anything, I’m going to make some money so a side hustle was needed. I started to sell custom t-shirts and whatever I could to everyone at school, work, and even people on social media. I had a big support system from social media starting my freshman year in high school so it motivated me to do more because I have seen how many people loved my clothes. I did it because I was not a fan of repeating clothes; my mother had me extremely spoiled since I was a baby until my baby sister was born, so she had to focus more on her. So once I got older, I couldn’t get used to not having things so I found another way; if I can’t buy it I’ll make it every morning before school.

I made a new hoodie or shirt to match one of my headband accessories was a must or the outfit wouldn’t be complete my senior year of high school. I moved back to my hometown Chicago I missed being home I went to Rich Central High School where I took a fashion class and 1 other class because I was so into school. I had all of my credits to graduate but my school wouldn’t let me walk the stage until the end of the year so I attended both high school and college to be ahead once I perfected making shirts and everything. I started a clothing line called LG$T (Let’s Get Bags Together) I need wanted to change the term (LGBT) into something positive because the world is always soo negative. I told myself let’s change it into something positive my launch day was on October 3rd, 2018 my little sister’s birthday because that was a very special day to me. My sister has always been my heart so why not have two special things on one day my brand sprouted very quickly. I shipped across the world I moved on to my work at Walmart for two years but I worked 80+ hours there but the pay wasn’t enough for all of the stress. I was offered a manager’s position but it wasn’t worth it. I accepted my position at Pepsi for 14.75/ hr getting paid weekly I found more joy because it was more money for me to do what I wanted and it funded my clothing business 2-3 months in the job. I was considered one of the best workers I was 18.

I was offered a full-time position to make 20.10/ hr and it made life even better I added my family to a group chat and asked everyone to go in on my sewing machine. I was ready to start a part of designing I sewed small things for revamps things I find in my closet that I can change up and make it something better. I’m a fan of better things so one day I decided to design my first dress I worked on it for a month procrastinating because I didn’t think it was nice enough until a person I was closest to at the time posted my work as if he created it. I have seen the love from everyone I was happy until it hit me that he basically stole all of the credits we soon fell out and of course, we went our separate ways but after a relationship, it pushes me to grind harder so I woke up and decided I needed a mannequin with BBL because it’s time to show the world what I’m really capable of. I found a boutique and me I know how to get what I want I convinced the man to sell me one of his mannequins off of the floor. I went home took my pictures of the dress and posted them and there it was my first-ever dress went viral. I received a lot of customers to the point where my job was in the way my family wasn’t too happy of me wanting to quit my job because Pepsi of course has amazing benefits so I asked my father who has been incarcerated since I was three but I’ve always had communication with him and a special bond with him.

I was his baby so I was able to tell him anything he gave me the green light to just quit and chase after my dreams so I did just that what really made me do it. My job worked me 7 days a week but wouldn’t let me off for my 20th birthday and that was the year I decided to enjoy my birthday the right way so I just left and grind harder. I celebrated my birthday in Puerto Rico once I got back I was in hustle mode me and my partner at the time moved into our place and we both designed clothes had our own businesses but living with someone isn’t the best thing to do at a young age and it was a lot on at such a young age. We had a store under construction it pushed us apart because it was much on us we had our differences so I decided to go move and start my life over the right way. I’ve always suffered from depression so I knew what was best for me I moved back with my family but soon after I lost my older sister Trezher on the second day of the year 2022 it took a huge toll. I got picked for seven fashion shows two of them being L.A. Fashion Week and NY Fashion week but mentally I wasn’t ready so I declined because I knew if I did, I wouldn’t give my all and I always said I wanted to go big if I ever do a fashion show. So I just traveled to find my peace traveling just brings joy to me took a lot of losses prom season was a lot being in a bad state of mind my clients ran me to the ground.

I took a three-month break to find peace my birthday came around it was a disaster for it to be my 21st and my golden birthday. My older brother ended up going to prison a week later so it just left me my mother and my little sister so I had to step up even if it held me back with my business I’m willing to do whatever to make sure my mother doesn’t have to do everything alone it grew me and my mother relationship turned us into best friends. we got through all of our storms I started back designing and coming out of my comfort zone Smg brother was released early from prison so it gave me a piece of myself back because my whole life it’s always been me and my brother. My mother always worked hard and had 2-3 jobs to make sure we have everything we ever wanted she was our mother and father the strongest woman I know so I decided to go harder my sales grew. I gained new friendships that helped me stay focused and see who I really was. I never really had confidence in myself they helped me see my worth they believed in me so I had to learn to believe in myself and keep grinding because I know I can make it far. I am now an all-around artist and I’m also a photographer. I can pretty do anything I put my mind to I recently lost my uncle Christopher which is my mother’s oldest brother but this time all it can do is push me to go harder so we never have to want for anything.

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?
It’s been quite a bumpy ride for me having a big heart plays the most part. I lost multiple people closest to me when I was 14, my house burned and we lost everything. We had only walked out with the clothes and shoes on our backs. I watched my mother hustle; she moved me to Alabama where I started all of my crafts.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a Traveling Fashion Designer who specializes in more of elegant style. I design wedding gowns, birthday attire, also for special occasions, I pretty much can make anything. I’m known for standing out and never being like anyone else doing things my way. I put my business before first always it pays my bills.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I’ve always been everyone’s favorite person. I’m the celebrity of the family; I am always smiling and being silly. I can be the most kind-hearted person you’ll ever meet my nickname is Mr. MakeItHappen because one thing about it I can make everything work. I’ve always been hard-working and a motivator for people around me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://squareup.com/appointments/book/gcxjcfmqwicedm/LWCT5H717JAGC/services?mibextid=Zxz2cZ
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/da.shaunn?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dashaun.greer?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@priincedee?_t=8XUqxgBTGuJ&_r=1

Image Credits
@black.artmedia_ @shaungcustoms