Have you been enjoying the Surviving Your Twenties series so far?
This week’s feature is Gabrielle Rahming, the owner of a clothing boutique called The G Label. She is not just business minded but she is also legally minded, as she is an Attorney-at-Law. Gabrielle has a Bachelors degree in Business as well as Bachelors degree in Law. She is an all around boss, as she’s killing it in both fields! Her styles are trendy and eye-catching and if you wear The G Label, you will definitely turn heads. Gabrielle gets candid about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and why she keeps going. Let’s check out her story!
What inspired you to start your own business?
Gabrielle: “I’m always thinking of business ideas. I literally pitch like 5 business ideas to my parents per day. But I think it was my parents who really inspired me and fostered a desire to start businesses and create and nurture my ideas, because both of them are entrepreneurs. Since I was a child, I watched them create and grow their businesses and others’ businesses so that, even subconsciously, inspired me.
“I chose the fashion industry not because I like fashion but instead because I love the idea of making people feel beautiful and I love the environment that’s fostered when women in particular are getting pretty, dressed up and shopping.”
What is the secret to a great outfit?
Gabrielle: “The secret is how you feel in it. A great outfit is whatever makes you feel beautiful.”
“A great outfit is whatever makes you feel beautiful.”
What were some challenges that you faced before launching and after your business took off? How did you overcome these challenges?
Gabrielle: “I think there are mental challenges that we put ourselves through and then there are real moments that create challenges. So my “real” tangible challenge was that I had an opening date for my store front but somehow everything was being delayed – some of my store’s furniture got lost while being shipped, the carpet I wanted in store was out of stock, a lot of my inventory got cancelled and I didn’t know until last minute and it was like “when it rains, it pours”.
“Then mentally, the night before the soft opening, my parents and I were in the boutique setting up and it was after 12 am and I literally dropped to the floor and started crying because I didn’t know if the boutique was going to do well. I had a lot of expectations and hopes for the boutique and I was torturing myself mentally with all the reasons this could fail.”
“I have a great support system. My team and I are very practical, in that we come up with a game plan and just keep it moving. So things like the delays don’t put me off balance. I just think about ways around the problem and I do what needs to be done.
“Mentally, I think it’s a continuous journey. I’m learning how not to listen to negative self talk and to also just believe in myself.”
“I do what needs to be done.”
What’s your favourite clothing item?
Gabrielle: “I love me a jean jogger. It’s comfy and cute!”
What have been some of your proudest moments as a business owner?
Gabrielle: “I really enjoyed my latest spring launch, and I received great feedback from it. Check it out here. I’m not sure if I had a proudest moment as yet. I always think “you could do better” so it’s really hard to be proud of myself sometimes.”
Why didn’t you wait until you were established/ older to start your business?
Gabrielle: “I still ask myself this because sometimes it feels like, you have to be popular to actually do well. But I don’t want to diminish creatives and business owners who are doing well to being accomplished because they are “known”. I’d be waiting forever if I wait until I’m “established” or “older” because there will never be a perfect level of “establishment” or something else will come up.
“I think forget all that. If you produce quality then that will speak for itself, no matter how established or old or young you are. Also, my mind is blown all the time by the support I get from my family and friends. They repost all my pictures and flyers, they purchase my items and just pour into me good vibes and positivity. I can never ever ever express how grateful to them I am.”
What do you say to people who tell you that there are already many people in your field so what’s the point of you doing it too?
Gabrielle: “This is a good question for me as a lawyer as well as a boutique owner.
Everyone says that both industries are saturated. I think if you are passionate about something and willing to put in the work then go for it. You will bring something that the industry doesn’t already have and that’s YOU. There is enough room at the table for all of us and if not, flip the table [lol]. Kidding.
“You will bring something that the industry doesn’t already have and that’s YOU.”
“But we should get comfortable with making room for ourselves or making our own space, especially as younger Bahamians. And once we do this, we have to get comfortable with lifting each other up as we climb. We should use our own experience to uplift and encourage others. Lavonne at @shop.thecc is amazing at that and has reached out to ask me if I need help with anything and has been encouraging and collaborating with a lot of others who are boutique owners and in the fashion industry. It’s nice to see people in the same field not look at each other as competition but as an ally.”
What advice do you have for young people interested in starting a business?
Gabrielle: “ “Go for it” is the fun answer to this question and my real answer is boring. My advice is sit down right now and come up with a plan. Do your research, find mentors [even if its just an Instagram page you follow and observe] and come up with a strategy. You don’t have to follow the plan exactly because life happens but its good to have some sort of guidance that you can look to when you hit road bumps. I would also say don’t listen to the noise in the market. There’s always someone who is scared to do what you want to do who will try to poison you.”
“I also am a Christian, and I even think non-Christians or non-believers can live
by this but trust the process, all things are working for your good. And honestly, its not the end of your life if certain things don’t work out, of course it sucks but there’s a lesson in that (I’m still learning this).”
As a full time attorney, how do you manage having a business as well?
Gabrielle: “I can only say God and my support system because quite frankly I have no clue and to be quite honest I haven’t found a balance yet.”
What’s your top tip for surviving your twenties?
Gabrielle: “This is an amazing question, and I need the answers because whew chillay. I think I would say let go of all the expectations that 13-year-old, 16-year-old, 18 and 19-year-old you had. 20 through 29 is a very awkward area. You have the expectations you placed on yourself because you thought 25 was a real grownup but really you’re an entire child (at least I am) and then you have peers that are at different areas of life, some getting married, starting businesses, excelling at their job, furthering their education and you can’t help but to always feel the pressure of needing to do better. And then don’t let me get started on social media. As cliche as it sounds, I think in short, quiet all the noise and live life at your own pace.”
“Quiet all the noise and live life at your own pace.”
The G Label is located on Mackey and Rosetta Streets in Nassau, Bahamas so if you’re in Nassau visit the store today for all your fashion needs. Follow The G Label on Instagram @theglabel and follow Gabrielle on Instagram @thegabrielleannay .
What was your favourite quote from Gabrielle? Let us know in the comments!
Schar's Mind 