I came across Tracy's designs and I loved how vibrant and colourful they are. Let's meet the woman behind the brand.
Tell us a little about yourself and what you do.
My name is Tracy Gore and I am the owner and designer of Gorejous clothing. I began this journey in 2010 when I was retrenched from the TV industry and was unable to find employment. I was tired of waiting to find a job so I created one. I taught myself to sew and friends would purchase. They told their friends and the rest is history.
How old is your business now?
I’ve been running Gorejous for 10 years on and off as I’ve taken some jobs in between but it’s always been my most rewarding source of income.
How did you come up with the idea of and name for your business?
I began the business before I had a name, and after talking to friends of mine, we came to the name Gorejous. My surname is Gore and my brother that passed away was called Mr Gorejous in high school. It felt like the right thing to do to honor him in this way, so he’d still be with me.
What is that “one thing” that this Lockdown period has taught you and that you will be using in the future? How will you be doing business differently?
This pandemic has taught me I can only depend on myself and my two hands! No one is going to have my back and provide for me but myself, and by God’s grace I’ve been able to. I was taught to innovate and be more of service to my clients, they are the blood that runs through Gorejous's veins.
What makes your business unique?
I create custom pieces for each client; every garment is made to the shape and size of my clients. I curate unique prints that can’t be found easily to ensure each client feels comfortable and unique.
Are you a solo-entrepreneur or how many members does your team currently comprise?
I am a solopreneur, I do it all, from client services, to cutting patterns, making all garments and marketing the brand.
How do you market your business, and which methods have been most successful for you?
I’m blessed to have a solid base. I use mostly social media and have a few marketers. I've found word of mouth to be a blessing.
What does a typical day look like for you? And how many hours, on average, do you work daily?
No day is the same. Some days I spend a good ten hours behind the machine; some days I’m on the road acquiring fabrics and doing deliveries. I work a lot. I wouldn't have it no other way.
How has being an entrepreneur affected your life?
Being an entrepreneur is who you are, I wouldn’t know any other way of living! I’ve always loved having my life in my own hands. I’m not afraid of hard work. It can be a lot sometimes when my daughter would like an excursion and I’m working for weeks on end. It’s a life of putting in insane working hours, knowing one day it will be worth it. It’s not for the faint of heart. (I absolutely couldn't agree more).
If you could go back in time and start up your business all over again, what would you do differently?
There are things I think I’d have liked to do differently but I think I had to I go through all of it to be who and where I am now.
What is one piece of advice you’d like to give to someone just starting out?
Have your vision and keep focused. There will be days you’ll want to give up, don’t! Hard work beats talent every time. Keep putting in the work and you’re bound to win.
Where can we find your business on social media?
Facebook page link: https://www.facebook.com/Gorejous/
Instagram handle: @Tracygorejous