We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gg Gabennesch a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
GG, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?
I recently thought about how I used to have the goal of working for National Geographic. I suppose that’s not a “regular” job, but I went to school for Photojournalism and really thought I was going to work my way to that goal. I chose to change paths when I graduated from college, and I just feel like what I’m doing now is more suited for me. I can’t envision myself working for a publication, although it would have been really cool and exciting, because of my work/life balance and needs. I’m someone who definitely needs to create my own schedule and structure so that I’m able to have down time when needed, for my health and so I don’t get burnt out. I also love the creative freedom that working for myself gives me and how it’s given me opportunities to build community in ways that feel more personal to me than if I were covering stories for a living. I didn’t used to think I could work for myself so I never even had the thought, but I definitely feel as though I am on the right path for me.
GG, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I started my business, Secondhand Circus, almost a year ago. It’s a vintage & secondhand shop for what I refer to as the “freaks”. Once I realized the people around me took interest in my quirky outfits and fashion, I started to do some styling gigs here and there and eventually realized that I wanted to combine my love for styling others and sharing my fashion with my love for sustainability and all things secondhand. I specialize in a lot of colorful, patterned, funky clothing as well as handmade jewelry, some of which is upcycled from discarded objects. I have a mainly queer customer base but really it’s for anyone who likes to dress outside the box and quirky. I’m so proud of everything I’ve been able to accomplish in just this first year of business. I’ve sold at all kinds of markets, not just in Cincinnati but in Dayton and Waynesville, Ohio as well. I’m most proud of getting accepted to vend at City Flea four times, which is rare for first year businesses to be accepted at all. I’ve also recently joined the Oro Beauty team, in Downtown Cincinnati, where I have racks and jewelry set up for in-person shopping.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My goal is to get people excited about their personal style as well as shopping secondhand. Life is more exciting when you have your own sense of style and expression. It’s very freeing to set your own rules when it comes to fashion, and it can heal your inner child to wear bright colors and mix patterns. Why blend in when you can stand out? It’s also very rewarding to shop secondhand and not contribute to the mass textile waste. We have enough clothing in existence for the next six generations and it’s a huge problem for our planet and environment. It’s also just fun to find something unique for your closet that other people wouldn’t have and to feel proud of your clothing finds!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding part about being a creative is seeing people receive what I do so fondly. I definitely have an unconventional taste in fashion and my shop is very different from typical secondhand or vintage shops. What keeps me going and makes me feel proud of what I do is hearing how much others love what I’m doing, even when it’s not in their taste. People recognize me as the clown that pops up at markets and tell me how fun it is and how they like my aesthetic and what I’m creating. It definitely pays off to stand out! I’m still new to this role and know it’s only going to go uphill from here, so it’s so much fun getting to constantly come up with new ideas and see how they prosper.
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