Today we’d like to introduce you to Chloe Stewart.
Hi Chloe, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Originally in 2017, I wanted to start a clothing brand called “Level Up,” then came across the same name in my city I resided. Also at that time, I didn’t have the funds to risk. So from there anything that came to my mind I would take note of it. I knew I had to come up with a catchy name that would catch all ages’ attention. Gym Shoes, Sneakers whatever you want to call it been in the game for years. It’s so much history and knowledge behind most designs of shoes. I always had a passion for shoes and fashion. I remember in 3rd grade I use to make paper shoes and jerseys out of garage bags with some of my friends and try to sell them in the classroom. ’I spent my younger days camping out for shoes before the hype came. I even remember back when my Uncle Rudy(RWG) getting us outta school on Tuesdays to get the Newest Jordans down at this store called Reyers in Sharon PA. But for the love of shoes and my love for basketball is where my passion played a role. So one day at work, Dec 2019; It just came to my mind “Release Date,” an apparel line to match shoe releases. When I use to go to the malls before Release Date established, it was sometimes hard to match up some of the colorwaves I liked. So that March of 2020 when the world shut down and we got our stimulus checks. I put that checkup and took the risk. I launched Release Date and my 1st jacket for the “Flint 13s” on July 1, 2020 in honor of one of my best friend Brittaney Vaughnn who passed away too soon on that day. After that 1st released jacket at that time, I made a goal to myself to try to drop at least 1 shoe a month that’s would be the best seller. And here we are at 2022 going into 2023, I’m dropping at least 3 shoe items a month. I know Shoes come out every week so I’m working at my own pace and pray God leads the way.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My dad always use to tell me “If It was easy everybody would be doing it.” Lol. The road was definitely not smooth, going into January 2021 my one vendor who made most of my Merch at the time stole my Merch from me my whole spring/ summer collection of 2,000 worth. I could have easily gave up but God, my passion for shoes and my mentality of never giving up played a big part. But even before then, getting started was hard, I learned everything on my own, how to find vendors, how to communicate with them Etc. 2 1/2 years later there are still some I, especially on my end, making sure my Merch gets to my doorstep when the shoe releases. But I love the struggle it just makes me go harder and learn from my previous situations. I’m still learning and have a long way to go but long as I’m better than yesterday, I’ll take that as a Level Up.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m currently a Trainer for my company. All the new hires that comes through my company have to complete my training materials before going into their separate roles. So they get me 1st before going into their new positions, that allows me to give them the 1st impression of how the company would be. I would say I specialize in uplifting people, helping people and speaking. I’m a very firm believer of speaking positive, get positive results. What am I most proud of, I’d say how you can put me in any room with anyone and I’ll be able to communicate with them like I’ve known them for years. I treat everyone with the same respect and have an open mindset to learn from anyone as well. And what sets me apart from others is I’m consistent, I will make myself stick out some way. I make sure whatever I do, I give it my all. I make sure I’m 15 mins early for work, on time means your late. Even when I played basketball in Highschool and college, I was the smallest on the court but I felt like I was 6’9. Lol
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Honestly, it’s all in God’s Hands, I’m just following his footsteps. Tomorrow ain’t promising so I’m taking it day by day. But to answer the question where do I see Release Date going in the next 5-10 Yrs? God willing, teaming up with Jordan since most of my Merch are inspired by the shoe designs Just Don, Joe Goods, Nike, I really really want to team up Mitchell and Ness. And it would be my dream to team up NBA and WNBA apparel since basketball is my 1st love. Any other changes in trends I got to keep that too myself. Lol But I have it all mapped out.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.releasedate2020.com
- Instagram: Releasedate_2020
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Releasedat3?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Twitter: Releasedate2020
