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

Octavia, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Gentry Unveiled, LLC is an alternative to existing clothing lines which offers the opportunity to create your own personal style with a new brand of affordable, fashionable, and comfortable apparel. The collection brings a fresh approach that will appeal to the gender fluid society. We aim to create high quality clothing that appeals to who you are and what makes you feel comfortable, despite society’s standards of beauty, social class, race, or gender norms. Our personal views should not hinder our ability to show others compassion. We are a brand that acknowledges the uniqueness and differences in lifestyles, body structure, and gender identity. Representation matters and
helps to promote healthy body image.

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?

Gentry Unveiled, LLC., is a pre-launch ecommerce company founded in 2019 and legally structured in 2020, in the state of Texas as a Limited Liability Corporation.
Founder, Ms. Octavia Lewis is a highly motivated and passionately hard-working
entrepreneur, with extensive experience and first-hand knowledge of the path to success
within the apparel industry, specifically the ecommerce and special event retail business
models.
The start of the brand came from this passion to just do good in the world. I know that probably sounds cliche, but it is what drives me and motivates me to provide the best quality items that I can and to create a work environment that people don’t dread getting up in the morning and coming to. I’ve worked in enough hostile work environments that did not foster the best environment for creatives. We pride ourselves in making sure that each customer and future employees are valued as the brand continues to elevate. So far, we have been able to ensure that our clothing products are sustainable. This is what sets us apart from a lot of retailers. We also provide personal styling services at a very discounted rate. The goal is to celebrate healthy body image and loving the skin you’re in.
I am most proud of the hard work and dedication that has been put into Gentry Unveiled, the unwavering determination to grow and evolve in an everchanging industry. I want supporters to know that Gentry Unveiled is more than just a clothing brand. Gentry Unveiled is progressive, yet consistent brand that is dedicated to providing the best quality.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I think one of the biggest lessons I’ve had to learn in doing business is that your family and friends may not be your target market and that’s okay. Often times, we start a business, and we expect the people closest to us to be our clientele. While they may support us, we can’t get wrapped up in the idea that they have to purchase every item/service we offer. To be quite frank, they may buy initially but you may not retain them as a customer due to their lack of interest. I’m still learning, but those were the people I marketed to the most when I was starting out. I had to realize that it isn’t personal, and I have to do what’s best for business, limiting advice from those outside of my business consultant.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I would say that I am going through a period where I am pivoting right now, actually. We are still a start up company and things are very challenging. From marketing to constantly testing vendors and manufacturers to maintain brand quality, we are working diligently to stay afloat in these first few years. I am no longer working a 9-5 anymore, so I definitely had to pivot when thinking of ways to financially sustain the business in the current economic climate. Overall, I am proud of the strides we are making and my determination to keep going no matter what. I always remember that it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.gentryunveiled.com
• Instagram: shopgentryunveiled
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092657076534
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gentry-unveiled/

Image Credits
Haley Ransom (photographer) [email protected] Devonte Williams (photographer) [email protected]