Daily Inspiration: Meet LeRoy McLaurin

Today we’d like to introduce you to LeRoy McLaurin.

Hi LeRoy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story didn’t start with a business plan. It started with a gift, a love for creativity, and a vision that was much bigger than fashion alone.

For a long time, I had this idea of creating an entire production company called RichStylz Productions. I envisioned it as a creative house that could encompass every part of who I am—design, fashion, styling, entertainment, production, and all of the different ways I express myself creatively. I didn’t want to put myself into one box because I’ve never been just one thing.

Fashion was always one of the strongest parts of that vision. I’ve always had an eye for putting things together, creating a look, transforming an idea into something tangible, and understanding how clothing can completely change the way a person feels about themselves. As I began developing RichStylz Productions, RichStylz Fashion Closet naturally became one of the extensions of that larger creative vision.

I didn’t realize at the time just how much that part of the dream would grow.

My journey has taken me through entertainment, pageantry, performance, and the ballroom community. I’ve experienced incredible highs, difficult lows, moments where I felt unstoppable, and moments where I questioned myself completely. But every chapter taught me something. I learned about people. I learned about image. I learned about confidence. Most importantly, I learned about myself.

There were times when I didn’t necessarily see the value in what I brought to the table. I could see greatness in other people before I could see it in myself. But somewhere along the way, I realized that the very things I had been learning through my experiences were the things I could use to help someone else.

That realization changed everything.

RichStylz Fashion Closet became more than just a closet, and RichStylz became more than just a name. It became a reflection of my creativity and my belief that fashion can tell a story before you ever say a word.

I didn’t build this because I simply wanted to tell people what to wear. I built it because I know what it feels like to transform when you finally see yourself differently. I wanted to create a space where people could discover their own style, take risks, walk into a room with confidence, and understand that they don’t have to look like everyone else to be extraordinary.

And building something of your own comes with a reality that people don’t always see. They see the finished look. They see the photographs. They see the glamour. They don’t always see the late nights, the doubt, the sacrifices, the mistakes, the times you have to start over, or the moments when you’re trying to convince yourself not to give up.

I’ve had to reinvent myself more than once. I’ve had to grow through experiences that I didn’t necessarily understand at the time. And I’ve learned that sometimes the things you think are setbacks are actually preparing you for the person you’re supposed to become.

Today, when I look at RichStylz, I don’t just see a business. I see years of my life sitting inside of it. I see the original vision of RichStylz Productions. I see the creativity, the designs, the fashion, the performances, the people who trusted me with their image, and every opportunity that allowed me to turn an idea in my head into something people could actually see and experience.

I see every lesson, every failure, every comeback, and every version of myself that brought me to this moment.

I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but I’m also honest enough to say that I’m still becoming.

That’s probably the most important part of my story.

I’m not someone who had it all figured out and then became successful. I’m someone who had a vision, kept creating, kept learning, kept evolving, and kept walking—even when I wasn’t completely sure where the road was taking me.

And maybe that’s why the name RichStylz still means so much to me.

It started as a vision for a creative world that could hold all of me. Fashion just happened to become one of the places where that vision found its strongest voice.

Be Layered. Be Complex. Be Undeniable.

Because every layer of my journey—the beautiful ones and the difficult ones—helped create the person and the brand you see today.

And I’m not finished yet.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Obstacles / Challenges

No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.

One of my biggest challenges has been learning how to believe in a vision that sometimes felt bigger than the circumstances I was in. As a creative, I can see the finished picture long before I have the resources, connections, or sometimes even the confidence to bring it to life.

I’ve also had to learn that being creative and being an entrepreneur are two very different things. Learning how to price my work, set boundaries, manage expectations, handle rejection, and understand my own value has been a journey in itself. There were times when I gave too much of myself because I wanted people to be happy, and I had to learn that passion doesn’t mean undervaluing yourself.

I’ve also had to reinvent myself along the way. Some chapters required me to let go of people, ideas, and even versions of myself that I had outgrown. That isn’t always easy.

There have been moments when I questioned whether I should keep going, but I’ve learned that an obstacle doesn’t necessarily mean you’re on the wrong path. Sometimes it means you need to grow, change direction, or simply keep walking.

The challenges have given me layers. They’ve taught me resilience, patience, and that sometimes creativity isn’t just about creating something beautiful—it’s about having the courage to create again.

So no, the road hasn’t been smooth. But every challenge has helped shape the person and the brand I am today.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Your Work — Artist / Creative

I consider myself an artist first and a creative entrepreneur second. Fashion is one of my primary mediums, but my creativity extends far beyond clothing. I design, style, create concepts, develop visual stories, and bring ideas to life. Whether I’m working with an individual, creating a full look, or developing a larger production, I’m always thinking about the story behind the final product.

Through RichStylz Fashion Closet, I specialize in personal styling, creative direction, wardrobe development, and creating looks that are intentional and unforgettable. I’m known for taking an idea and pushing it beyond the obvious. I don’t just want someone to look good—I want the look to say something.

What I’m most proud of is the ability to help people see themselves differently. There’s something powerful about watching someone put on a look I’ve created and seeing their confidence completely change. That’s the part of my work that means the most to me.

What sets me apart is that I don’t believe in creating a copy of what’s already been done. My inspiration comes from many different places, but I always want the final result to feel personal, unexpected, and authentic to the person wearing it.

For me, fashion is storytelling. It’s just fashion—but it’s never just clothing.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Favorite Books, Apps or Podcasts

One of my favorite books is Driftwood by Renaldo Fears, a great friend of mine. It’s a collection of poetry that reflects on life through a very personal and emotional lens—a poetic outpouring of words, experiences, feelings, and observations.

What inspires me most about Driftwood is the way Renaldo takes something as personal and sometimes complicated as life and transforms it into art. His words remind me that creativity doesn’t always have to start with something you can see. Sometimes it starts with a feeling, a memory, an experience, or a thought—and then you find a way to give that feeling a form.

That connects deeply with how I create. I can hear a song, have a conversation, experience a moment, or see something completely unexpected and begin imagining a color, a silhouette, a texture, or an entire visual concept. Driftwood reminds me to pay attention to those feelings and allow them to become part of my creative process.

Outside of books, I find inspiration through Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube, particularly when researching fashion, designers, styling, art, and new creative techniques. But ultimately, my greatest source of inspiration is life itself.

I believe creativity is everywhere. You just have to be willing to see it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsm3l3roy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richard.mclaurin
• Youtube: I’m