We recently connected with Kat Gurley and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kat thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Some of the most interesting parts of our journey emerge from areas where we believe something that most people in our industry do not – do you have something like that?

I believe that you do not have to stay on social trends to be and remain relevant. In my industry – there is a high demand for those who spend every waking minute and hour on creating content, interacting with their timelines and staying on top of the latest trends; i.e. what the masses are doing is considered ONLY what the people want to see. In my experience and current success, I believe that it is helpful to relate to your market through social trends; but the true customer loyalty comes from building that one-on-one relationship with the consumer that allows space for them to feel seen and heard, and not just looked at as a dollar sign. That is what differentiates my headwrap business from others: I pride myself on the intimacy of the business:consumer relationship and how it creates a solid foundation; encouraging life changing purchases and future sales.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I may have only one head, but it holds many hats! I pride myself on every title: Seamstress, Photographer, Graphic Designer, Manager/Publicist, Lifestyle Blogger, QUEEN!

SeventhGold is the hub for everything Kat Gurley! I got into this industry through expansion of my childhood hobbies and the desire to create something to express myself through my art as well as manifest several avenues for strengthening and giving longevity to my legacy! With a background in communicative arts, I have several years’ experience in photography and graphic design which plays a BIG part in the marketing and promotion of my business. My skills allow me to create innovative content that fits my business and my vision directly, while showcasing the skills I have enhanced over the last decade. I love art, art has always been within me and I am grateful to have the opportunities I do to express them unapologetically to the world!

I also began in my journey as a Manager to Chyrese Q. Wright (@therealhiimchy); Actor, Model, Public Speaker and Skin Care Alchemist. From 2016 to 2020, I managed her career as she dove into short films, including ‘Legacy’ by Dalton Glover and ‘Taken For Granted” by Micahel Murphy. In 2021, I traded my Manager hat for Publicist; where I have dove deeply into marketing Chyrese as a Brand and getting her into new doors, as well as excelling in opportunities that allow her more inclusion and notoriety in the entertainment business. In addition to her current success, she has also been involved in entrepreneurship through LovEssentials – her skin care company; as well as dance, and motivational speaking through Chy Chat; her personal avenue for reaching women through inspiration, courage and knowledge of self in every day life. Most recently, she was the keynote guest speaker for The Self Love workshop hosted by Mellissa Brown, streamed live from London UK!

In the spirit of those many hats, I am a seamstress; Owner/Creator of SévWraps, where Queens come to create their own Crowns! Our headwraps are handmade custom — so no other will rock one quite like yours! Here, we are all about exclusivity. Queens deserve special Crowns that fit their personality, demeanor and inner star! Make it personal and BYOW (build your own wrap); or #SHOPSÉV for handcrafted headwraps, men’s headdresses, apron sets, accessories + more! I debuted to the public through SÉVGYRL, a fashion show where I showcased over 30 of my custom made headwrap patterns; which also contained a total of 11 models! I also have some local sale experience through several interviews and digital pop-up shop events online and in the DFW Metroplex.

My headwrap business provides an intimate and special product for my consumers by getting to know their wants and needs on a personal level. Unlike most thriving businesses, my customers are not just a dollar sign to me; they are a part of my community, the family that makes SévWraps what it is! I am more than just a company brand that is looking to profit revenue: I am a WOMAN first, who dreams of giving more life to the culture, whose desire is to speak to others through fashion; remind them that we are more than what we wear, and what we wear can illuminate the beauty that is within us as well! SévWraps will always be set apart because I take what my customers feel and manifest it into a physical product they can wear and cherish for a lifetime! I don’t believe in limiting myself, so I extended my headwrap business by debuting my fashion line, NvmberSeven, where I specialize in alterations and recreations, revitalizing the wardrobe you already have! In with the old, feeling like new!

I am most proud of my resilience to BE, no matter what obstacles and frustrations that may have come with being a small business owner. We all have those moments of darkness and those moments of clarity. I can stand proud and tall and say, “I AM STILL HERE!” after trials, and reinventing myself; I have a clearer understanding of my life purpose and why what I do is important to the communities around me.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been to first create personal relationships that show my customers I relate to them as a being before I interact with them as a sight of profit! People like to know that they are more than just a coin, but they are humans with hearts, with feelings, who want to feel the things they purchase have more meaning to them than just having something new in their closet or home. Even something as a small, random note of encouraging words has provided me with lifetime loyal customers!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson that I had to unlearn was just because someone knows you, does not mean they will support you in your endeavors. When I first launched SeventhGold in 2017; It began as a digital portfolio of all avenues of art and work I am involved in. I noticed that those who seemed to be friends and family of my every day life, d even seemed supportive of my dreams when it was just an IDEA, suddenly became nonexistent in my support system when I manifested my idea into a company in the business world. At first it’s hurtful, but eventually I had to learn not to take it personal because it isn’t about who DOES NOT, it is about who DOES; and as long as I believe in me, it doesn’t matter that others don’t. Once I stop clouding my mind with the negative aspects of the support I was not receiving, I allowed myself clearer vision of the people and things that really mattered. I can now proudly say I have been on many interviews of people wanting to know more about myself and what I offer in my business, and I am featured in several publications and small business directories that have trafficked many new customers and supporters from all over the United States, and foreign countries as well!

Contact Info:

• Website: shopsev.square.site
• Instagram:seventhgold, sevwraps, clentmanagement
• Facebook: facebook.com/thesevwraps, facebook.com/clentmanagement
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQvX3QKqmn2OrNWJbE1qBZw/videos

Image Credits
KMPD EyeCreate Reality BMurph Photography