Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenzie Gray.
Kenzie, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I first started Wylde when I graduated college in Atlanta, Georgia in 2016. I was having the hardest time finding a full time job straight out of school, I was already working two retail jobs when I finally decided to create Wylde. I have always been interested in fashion and I always have had the dream to start my shop ever since I can remember. When I was in college I interned with a few boutiques in California and also at Nordstrom in their leadership program. Over the time that I was in school and worked throughout college, I decided to take what I learned and create my business with my style.
When I created Wylde it was slow growth and the online space did not pick up as much as I wanted it to, I was still working two jobs and I did not see much potential for Wylde in Atlanta as I had hoped for. I then decided in 2018 that I wanted to follow my dreams and move out to Southern California. In July of 2018, I got a full time job in California. As soon as I moved out as I working my full time job I started doing popups every weekend and working on my Wylde in the evenings.
Wylde has grown the most in 2019 and I love engaging with my customers at popups and vintage shows all over Southern California. Wylde has been a lot of hard work over the years, but it has been very rewarding creating something off of my own with my style and taste.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road starting my own business. It is a lot of work, starting as an online store is very difficult, I did not see the growth I had hoped and expected early on. One of the hardest challenges that I have found in the retail space is making sure you stay true to your brand and be original. There are so many businesses that have copied and taken what I created as their own. There were a lot of setbacks and mistakes but I have learned a lot. I will still make mistakes like purchasing something I think will fly off the racks, and then realizing that no one else loves it as I do. Another struggle I have is working a full time job and managing my own business. I never had anything handed to me and I have not worked two jobs, my goal is to make Wylde my full time priority and only job in the next couple of months.
Please tell us about your business.
Wylde is a women’s unique clothing brand that believes in good prices and the value of a well made product. Wylde is best known for the unique clothing that I carry and I specialize in clothing that many ages can wear. I focus mainly on women’s clothing but I also carry vintage treasures that I collect, which has set me apart from other women’s clothing stores. I am the owner and creator of Wylde, I do everything from shipping out my products to my customers and creating the products. I love being personable with my customers and I want the customers to feel like they know me and they are supporting a small business owner rather than just shopping at other large retailers that they easily could go to.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the creativity of the city, and I love how there is so much opportunity in the city. I love that you can be inspired by just going outside and walking on the beach. There are a lot of entrepreneurs in the city which is a great thing but it also means there is more competition, this is the only thing I would see as a negative thing in our city. But it also means there is so much growth in the city and that there are more entrepreneurs to connect with and grow with.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shop-wylde.com
- Phone: 770-598-8769
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @shopwylde
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