Summary:
Gia Mezz started her fashion brand LEAU as a side hustle in June 2020.
In the first month, LEAU generated $10,000 in revenue.
After 18 months, the brand reached nearly $2 million in revenue.
Gia emphasizes the importance of thoughtful consumption in fashion.
She owns 100% of her business, which has been entirely self-funded.
Meet Gia Mezz: A Visionary Entrepreneur
Gia Mezz, a 28-year-old entrepreneur from Los Angeles, is the creative mind behind the fashion brand LEAU. Initially launched as a side hustle to address the issues of industry waste, LEAU has now blossomed into a thriving business with nearly $10 million in lifetime sales.
Image Credit: Courtesy of LEAU
The Beginning of the Journey
Gia started her journey in June 2020 during the pandemic. Frustrated with the fast fashion industry's impact, she began creating limited batches of thoughtfully designed pieces. "I launched LEAU in the middle of the pandemic...with small, limited batches of thoughtfully designed pieces," she recalls.
Learning and Funding the Dream
To kickstart her brand, Gia taught herself graphic design during her free time. Unable to afford the production costs, she freelanced her design skills to other companies, funneling every dollar earned back into her business, covering costs from sampling to marketing.
Overcoming Challenges
The pandemic posed numerous challenges, including factory shutdowns and disrupted supply chains. Gia had to pivot her strategies frequently, testing various design concepts and marketing strategies to connect with her audience. Despite the hardships, her persistence paid off.
Rapid Growth and Success
In her first month, LEAU generated $10,000 in revenue, which she reinvested into the brand. This led to a remarkable 50% growth in the following months. Six months later, Gia was able to quit her day job, earning more in one month than her entire previous year’s salary. Within 18 months, she achieved $2 million in revenue.
Image Credit: Courtesy of LEAU
Full-Time Commitment
Today, Gia runs LEAU full-time and is on track to achieve $10 million in sales by the end of 2025. She proudly owns 100% of her business, which has been entirely self-funded, with no debts or investors.
Passion for Sustainable Fashion
Gia’s mission goes beyond profits; she aims to inspire thoughtful consumption in the fashion industry. "Clothing can and should be an investment: pieces that are thoughtfully designed, well-made and timeless enough to be cherished for years to come," she states, encouraging a shift away from the wastefulness of fast fashion.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
For anyone looking to embark on a similar journey, Gia advises, "Take inspired action. Your thoughts can become things, but only if you act on them. Dreams and ideas are just the beginning; what truly brings them to life is the effort and energy you put behind them."
Image Credit: Courtesy of LEAU
Comments