We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lexi Ross a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Lexi, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
At my vintage store, every single piece gets a second chance. A worn-out basketball becomes a planter, a scratched up vinyl record turns into a shelf, and old clothing is stitched together to become a new revived piece. I see potential where others see trash. Millions of tons of usable goods—clothing, electronics, furniture—are destroyed or end up at a landfill to sit for eternity. And that doesn’t sit right with me.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
If I had to describe myself in three words I would choose passionate, hopeful, and driven.
I’m unique because I’m not a one-trick pony. I have experience in photography, videography, design, editing, social media management, and more. That’s why it’s sometimes hard to explain everything I do.
After graduating from Miami University I knew that I wanted to work in sports. Sports are ingrained in my DNA. So after college I worked in the social media industry for the Cleveland Guardians, then the Memphis Grizzlies, and then the Cleveland Browns. I still freelance and do contract work with the NBA alongside running my two businesses here in Cleveland.
I’m someone who doesn’t fit into the mold of corporate America, so I chose to become my own boss. And i’m literally figuring life out one day at a time, with all its ups and downs. But, the freedom to do that on my own terms, without being trapped under the glass ceiling is why I do it. Yeah, I had security with my last job, but I wasn’t getting any fulfillment anymore.
When the light starts to dim, you have to ask yourself what it takes to reignite that spark. For me, it was choosing myself.
Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?
Yes, my business has multiple revenue streams. In the front, I run a curated vintage store that reflects my passion for secondhand clothing, sustainability, and giving forgotten items a second life. In the back, I operate a photography studio, which allows me to pursue my other passion—capturing people, stories, and moments through the lens. The two do not mix, but choosing to house both businesses under one roof was a strategic decision for stability and sustainability. It allows me to pursue both passions while creating multiple income streams in a single, manageable space.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Being able to meet so many people every single day is the most rewarding part of my new journey so far. Whether that’s if I meet them in my vintage store or if I am photographing them, every single person is unique and different from the rest. I have a few regulars who just come to chat. Like the adidas guy who brings my puppy treats every time he comes in. Or the skateboarder who gifted me a jellyfish glass ornament just so he can see it in the window everytime he walks by.
There are so many good people still out there in this world. And I have the opportunity to get to know them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.spookysstudio.com/ AND https://lexirossmedia.wixstudio.com/my-site
- Instagram: @spookys216 AND @lexirossmedia
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576195754685
- Twitter: @lexirossmedia
- Other: TikTok: @spookys216 AND @lexirossmedia
Image Credits
Lexi Ross