We were lucky to catch up with Gena Culler-Green recently and have shared our conversation below.

Gena, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

The first time I knew when I felt the joy of helping and solving a need it was when I as becoming a woman welder. I needed a hat comfy but safe clothes and wanted to look cute.

I walked into class thinking nothing of it and the ladies were like wow you look great and my instructor pulled me aside and ask if I had made the items I was wearing? Later in the end of classes she recommended that I pursue that dream of making women apparel for women welders and becoming a welder as well. Fast forward that exactly whatIm doing . Both! It’s an up hill journey but I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to be exposed to understand the apparel is needed and being a woman welder is necessary for my fulfillment and love of the craft.

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

I’m a mom of 3 amazing people 22,13,10 I’m also a widow. I got into the industries that I’m in through upcycling my husbands clothing into memory pieces for my children to bring them closer to him. We were and still a very close family so we looked forward to celebrating one another. Originally I went to school for fashion and had to come out with my associates due to my husband getting sick with heart disease so I figured I’d be a buyer or a fashion consultant to fashion brands and businesses. Once I began upcycling that helped me begin to heal and share our story then it was more than my therapy it was my passion. I became a welder and began upcycling and making my own welding clothes and ladies were like you should really do that to help us out so now that is my mission to make women welders and workers alike feel safe, comfortable and fly while doing the hard jobs as well as inspiried know that I have their back and we’re creating a sisterhood. I also want to bring blabk repenstation to the welding industry there not much of anything to cheer and celebrate black women welders. I know during my days a a production worker I could have used it so I encouraged and inspired myself. I ues my love of sewing , upcycling and welding to create the path I needed in order to raise my youngest two kiddos. I want to do what I love help others and especially be there for my babies as they grow up. I have been blessed to work on so many projects from, film, theater, fashion shows, etc… this opportunities allowed me to use my God given gifts and my unique understanding and skills to help others. It’s my turn now to pour into my brand even more and share this beautiful journey. I will admit starting and branding such a brand has not been an easy road but we’ll worth it. I recently pick up a new skill as a bench jeweler and that is tying my brand in with such a beautiful knot. I’m working hard to convey my brand is truly a lifestyle brand. It’s got those who live to work in metal, fashion and jewelry and inspire as the aspire to use their gifts to live outside the box. I had no choice so used what I had to help save the plant, educate and inspire others do what you have to with what you have to get what you want. I have been Repurposed for Purpose from fashion,welding and now as a jeweler cool thing I’m a designer no doubt in all areas . Gcullebrand is a mission to inspire a ministry to help other reach their goals and a movement for those outside the box “the outsiders”. We were here as a inspiration, a nudge and a tribe do what you’re called to do afraid, broke and alone God will send everything and everyone you need trust me. I’m proud that would my impossible circumstances I have been able to use my gifts as therapy to share my story and inspire others

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

What Resiliency looks like on my journey . Loosing my husband definitely changed my life ,becoming a single mother changed my destiny. It’s been 10 years and we’re still standing and together in spite of hardships, very tough circumstances from kiddos being in the hospital, having to try to be in 3 different place at one time to give my children support. Once I had to be at my oldest senior event , my baby girl assembly and take my baby boy to a very important doctors appointment, this was not easy literally in intentional movement for almost 8 hours straight but God gave me the strength and I was able to reach every destination and complete a client’s order. This is why I don’t stop because when you have purpose to help others it’s a blessing to be a blessing. I’m grateful I’ve been Repurposed for Purpose I’m reminded how blessed I am yo have such a beautiful and unique calling.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal and mission is simple I get to express my artistic views and style I repurpose goods into pieces that tell a story and help save the planet one piece and garment at a time. So if I can help , inspire and give it get no better than that, I am grateful.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @gculle
• Facebook: Gculle
• Linkedin: Gculle

Image Credits
Leosage