We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Stacey Johnson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Stacey, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

I found courage to take the risk in turning my business vision into reality with a little push. I began realizing, if I take this risk I’m getting out of my comfort zone, I would be taking a change on myself, I’ll be turning the thought of waiting for an opportunity to making it an opportunity. When I took that risk on my business I built belief that I’m capable of all things and shown others that they can do the same. I’ve learned that the biggest risk is not taking any risk and leaving myself in the unknown. Taking this risk on myself built growth within me and challenged me to do more, it challenged my thoughts of failure to thinking there can also be success. Whatever that may be for me. Leading with excepting the fact that there will be setbacks but not allowing it to stop me. Taking that risk was one of the best things I’ve done

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

Stud life represents me and many others like me in the LGBTQIA community. So my clothing brand was to not only allow studs to express ourselves but also express ourselves though fashion. Stud life sells hoodies, t-shirt, socks, hats and sweaters, sweatsuits. Stud life is not just about clothing, but is looking to expand to support and bring awareness to the LGBTQIA community Im mainly proud that I turn my vision into reality.

Have you ever had to pivot?

My business idea Stud life was created from my own life style, which I knew there were many like me in the LGBTQIA community. As time moved on I had customers and outsiders telling me “I’m not a stud” but if I was I would wear your brand. I notice that I was limiting my business, I began thinking of a name that would not just relate to the LGBTQIA but also reach and allow everyone to express themselves though fashion.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Once I build my website and made product to sell, I than began to reach out to my followers and influencers inbox on all social media platforms with my website and a short insight about my brand and what I was selling. I also reached out to the LGBTQIA community on all social media platforms as well which was my target audience.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Studlife_merch
• Facebook: Stud life