While being an entrepreneur is no child’s play, it is one of the most difficult yet the most fulfilling job in the world. Granted, your start-up kick-starts well, you not only draw worldwide attention but also make millions of dollars instantaneously. But what we all forget to acknowledge is the years of perseverance and hard work that went behind making it possible.
Here’s the success story of Gabrielle Jervis, a media and advertising professional from Australia, who nurtured a profound love for designer clothes from a young age. It’s truly remarkable how her worthy endeavor and utter determination led to the invention of House of GAB a sustainable fashion house based in LA, that aims to provide contemporary designer garments without compromising style and design for the planet.
From 9-5 Life to Rockstar Entrepreneur
Brought up along the coastline of Australia’s pristine beaches and striking mountains, Gabrielle was highly influenced by her parents who encouraged out of the box design thinking. Upon finishing her degree in marketing, she moved to Sydney and began her professional career in media and advertising at the largest media company in Australia. But this is just the beginning of a long journey to self-discovery.
Loving it in Sydney, Gabrielle would dress up and go to work as she was chasing her next promotion every day. Striving for more, she knew underneath that she had to get somewhere or ‘be’ something to be happy. Then, some years later, she came across her aha moment which paved the way for many internal questions.
While Sydney was fabulous, there was a sadness she felt on the inside. Opening to a long quest of self-discovery, Gabrielle realized it was high time that she started designing clothes. The pull was so strong that she started up a homemade design and décor business in a partnership with her sisters.
After 6 months of launching their business, they received praise-worthy exposure across premium magazines like Elle, Vogue Australia, and Real Living. But this also drew Gabrielle’s attention to the fact that Australia, despite its incredible style and natural beauty, was not known on the world stage a leader in sustainable fashion.
House of Gab: Gabrielle’s Answer to Sustainable Fashion
In endeavor to chase adventure, fun and self-exploration, Gabriel moved to Los Angeles where she landed upon a harsh sight of junk clothes made from cheap fabrics. What’s worse? These crappy fabrics not only abused Mother Earth, but also the people making them.
Determined to show the world that it was possible to make aesthetic clothes that did not cost the planet a fortune, Gabriel launched House of GAB in less than 10 months into LA. Embarking upon the spirit of strength, House of GAB boasts its mission: To master-craft eco-friendly clothing without compromising on style and design.
The fashion house is all natural and organic as it makes use of biodegradable materials and strictly opposes synthetic or oil-derived materials. Moreover, it also ensures that all the outsourced garments are free from plastic and other non-biodegradable materials.
From Idea to Winning Execution
As United States is not known for its embroidery, Gabriel encountered many moments of frustration and utter desperation for a breakthrough. After facing extortionate prices, unwillingness to try or a push to go offshore, she finally broke the impasse after one year of her endeavours to make all her pieces in the U.S for the U.S.
While she remained determined to find a way to make her pieces , Gabriel credits her first collection as one of her best business achievements by far. Boasting the message of sustainable fashion, she is pleased to have worked through the production difficulties and proud to admit that all of her designer garments are made in U.S. at a reasonable price, whilst supporting responsible manufacturing without going offshore.
Advantages of Working from Home
While modern business is highly demanding, early stage start-ups have to deal with a number of initial outgoing expenses to build a stature. Thanks to the flexibility offered by her home business, Gabriel could make some bigger picture savings in the smartest yet most logical manner.
Even though working from home asked her to sacrifice an office space, Gabriel relied heavily on her passion and remained determined to establish her brand.
Moreover, home business provided Gabriel with the added luxury of nutritious food paving its way from her own kitchen, which is otherwise, not possible in other work environments. This meant lesser food purchased from restaurants and cafes, and more awareness about what she poured in her body, which ultimately supported her business through her own self-care.
Setting the Bar High: Gab’s Ambitious Future Plans
As the design industry is shifting towards the recent trend of sustainable fashion, Gabrielle plans to set up a lively office space in a green certified building that uses recycled, renewable and reclaimed natural materials, at the same time as producing the most beautiful yet eco-friendly clothing you have ever seen.
Consequently, in the next three years, Gabrielle also plans to introduce the fashion house’s flagship store where she looks forward to offering an unmatched brand experience to her customers. What’s more? The subsequent years will also witness a house production arm, monitoring and assisting some of the most ultra-modern practices that fashion industry has ever seen.
