Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaylin Rutherford.
Hi Jaylin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Gifted Souls started in 2021 with the idea of building a brand that represented purpose, individuality, and authenticity. I wanted to create pieces that felt meaningful – something people could connect with, not just wear. What began as a small project with a strong message has grown into a brand focused on quality, storytelling, and inspiring people to embrace their own gifts.
We’ve been evolving ever since ano continue to build with intention.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges has been capital. For a long time, I funded the brand on my own, and that meant I had to be strategic about every drop, every order, and every risk. I recently brought on a partner who also invests in the business, which has helped us move with more structure and momentum.
Another challenge has been finding consistent vendors who deliver quality work on time. In streetwear, delays and quality issues can set you back fast, so it took a lot of trial and error to find people we can rely on.
I also struggled with optimizing the website in the beginning. I wasn’t using it to its full potential, and it held us back. Now it’s one of our strongest tools — from product presentation to customer experience — and I use it more than ever.
Overall, the challenges have taught me how to move smarter, stay adaptable, and keep building the brand the right way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Gifted Souls ?
Gifted Souls is a streetwear brand built around purpose, individuality, and intentional living. We create pieces that speak to people who move with meaning — people who know they have something unique to offer the world. That message is at the core of everything we design.
We specialize in clean, bold, statement-driven apparel with quality and storytelling behind it. What sets us apart is that our designs aren’t just graphics on shirts — every collection has meaning, and our customers feel connected to what they’re wearing. The brand has grown a community of people who see themselves in the message, and that’s something I take seriously.
I’m most proud of how far the brand has come and how consistent we’ve stayed with our identity. We’ve learned, evolved, and improved our quality, visuals, and processes — but the message behind Gifted Souls has remained the same. Seeing people wear our pieces with confidence and tag us saying the brand motivates them is the biggest reward.
For anyone new to Gifted Souls: we offer streetwear that blends purpose and style. We’re expanding our collections, leveling up our production, and stepping into more events and opportunities so we can connect with our audience in real time. The goal is simple — inspire people to embrace their gift and look good doing it.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My biggest advice is to stay open, stay consistent, and actually put yourself in the rooms where things are happening. A lot of people want mentorship or opportunities, but they never show up where those connections are being made. For me, networking started working when I stopped trying to impress people and just showed up as myself — someone hungry to learn and willing to put in the work.
Mentors don’t always show up as one person. Sometimes it’s somebody you follow online, someone you meet at an event, or even someone who challenges you in the moment. The key is being teachable. People are more willing to help you when they see you’re serious and you follow through.
What’s worked well for me is building real relationships, not transactional ones. When I go to events, I listen more than I talk. I pay attention to people who are already doing what I want to do, and I’m not afraid to ask questions. And honestly, some of the best connections have come from me just being consistent with the brand — when people see the effort and growth, they reach out on their own.
So my advice: show up, stay humble, stay consistent, and stay connected. The right people will notice, and the right opportunities will come from it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.giftedxsouls.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giftedxsouls?igsh=MWc2YnpnZWk1bmxmZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bnt4c22Qq/?mibextid=wwXIfr
