We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Gabrielle Evans. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Gabrielle below.

Gabrielle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with what makes profitability in your industry a challenge – what would you say is the biggest challenge?

A lot of people believe that when you start your own business things may tend to get easier and that is not the case. In the matter of profit it is a slippery slope. It’s a known saying that you have to spend money to make money but in most cases you will spend more than your return rate especially first starting out. Personally, when I put together events under my brand (4AM Lingerie) in some cases I may make more than expected but there are some instances where my profit may barely touch half of what was spent. Experience is the key word in this manner. Once we shift our minds to achieve accurate goals and turn down the greed that is installed within us just a bit you will see multiple streams of income flowing to the point you wouldn’t understand where it may be coming from. Substance builds profit and greed tears down character in the end.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

In terms of starting my own business, 4AM Lingerie LLC, it honestly was a leap of faith for me. Growing up I always knew I wanted to be the one in charge, telling everyone else what to do, making all the tough calls and decisions. The year I turned 21 years old, I decided to have a get together at my house and celebrate. Halfway through the party I actually ended up having a house fire which left my mom and I with nothing but the clothes on out backs. Depression had taken over to the point where I had been going out every night, drinking everyday but still making it to work and calling that “balance” when that is nowhere near it. Luckily, I am the type of person who is able to realize when I’m taking the wrong path or consistently making the incorrect decisions. During the COVID pandemic I heavily got into body positivity. I started order smaller clothes, appreciating the person in the mirror more, finally stepping into my grown femininity. I had to remember the person I was then and bring her back ten times hard. By April 6, 2021 when I finally made the choice to put my words into actions and my actions to reality. I got my LLC for 4AM Lingerie and went to work. Searching for vendors, retaining different information I had previously gained from others I knew and putting my money where my mouth is. I ordered so much inventory which I now realize may have not been the best idea but I knew what I wanted and had to accomplish my goal. From a small online business that may attend a pop up shop every now and then to and event throwing, dream chasing, all around entrepreneur is something I honestly would not have imagined but I refuse to stop here. I would like everyone to know that whenever you reach that dark place, because YES it is bound to happen at sometime and it is different for everyone, you are able to grow from that. You do not have to stay in the dark, you do not have to stay stagnant and being comfortable is not the mindset you want to be in for change/growth. Reset the tone for your life and generation.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Referring to 4AM Lingerie, it sounds pretty crazy finding and building my audience was one of the hardest things I dealt with. I thought I could provide for and please everyone with my business and that ended up not being the case. Size was a very important topic in the matter at hand little did I know. When it comes to buying inventory as a smaller built owner I don’t get many customers in the plus size category. I may have a few here and there but over all I am not who they are looking to buy clothing from let alone lingerie. I wanted to include everyone to the point I started buying all sizes as well as the same amount and that was a downfall on my end. It really shows when it comes to promotion online; seeing those who engage with my content, who reach out with questions, or who simply ask to purchase. I had to switch to promoting and buying more for those between the small to large category in order to make a profit back from what was spent. The bright side of that is I’ll have backup inventory when need be. Point is, you have to know who you’re selling to in order to be successful and keep continuous engagement.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Before I was an Physical Education Support Specialist I was an STNA full time in school working to become a nurse. I had nursing on my mind my entire life even became a Phlebotomy Tech and STNA before graduating high school. Everything changed once COVID happened. I had been living with my grandparents while also working in hospitals so I had to make the a lot of decisions for myself and my family. Every place I worked had a COVID and non COVID unit or floor. I would always state my living conditions and be upfront about not being able to work in certain units due the health of my grandparents yet my job listings never took that into consideration. Of course they not care about things I had been upfront about but I had to do what was best for my family. So, for almost the first time in life, I had to make a selfish, full life and career change.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://4amlingerie.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gbaby_/
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gbaby524_

Image Credits

@davidkagephotography @snowjovi @thekingtifnetwork @eventsbychrissycavotta @themodelexperience