Meet Jala McClelland | Owner/Designer of 1977 Hustle Lane

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jala McClelland and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jala, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’m a hustler by nature – I’ve had a million jobs, and careers. The “hustle” in my brand’s name, speaks to that. I learned the HUSTLE, growing up in St. Louis, – which is why the STL in hustle is highlighted. 77 means that you are in direct alignment with your higher purpose….which is the vibe I want to be on – 1977 is also the year that I was born

Time, was the thought process of starting my own business. If we’ve never received the lesson of how time is priceless, we definitely got it over the last year and a half. I’ve literally spent half of my life, giving someone else my time, to fulfill their dreams. I decided, I wanted to use my own priceless time, and spend it building my dream.

The other idea behind this brand… was simply because, I love funky and fly leggings to work out in. I’ve met many thick women, who feel uncomfortable in wearing printed leggings. I wanted to show them, that not only can us thick thigh women wear funky prints, but that we can look good in them as well.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve always had a creative mind, and I’ve loved fashion forever. I even started a fashion newsletter about 14 years ago, which then turned into a fashion blog. Now it was just for my family and friends, as I didn’t really know how to monetize at that point lol. I started doing grpahic design services, which landed me to doing t-shirts. The t-shirt market is DEFINITELY saturated, which honestly made me pivot. I realized I could create prints, and designs and put them on athleisurewear, so that’s what I did.

I don’t know if I would call myself a success as of yet. When I am able to leave my 9-5, that will probably be success to me. I’m still overcoming challenges everyday. Creating content, marketing, building up my social media pages. Those are my struggles. I will tell burgeoning entrepreneurs, don’t let the number of followers discourage you. I made over 20k in sales in less than 60 days of launching, with less than 1000 IG followers. However, social media is still very important. Indeed my achilles heel.

What I want the world to know about my brand? We are out here! A small black female owned business, and we have some fly pieces…and it will only get better.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh this is fun! If I were to give a week long itinerary to my bestie visiting the area – this is what I would give her.

Sunday – made it just in time for brunch – head over to Breakfast Boys (shout out to Lorenzo & Co.).

Monday – Breakfast: Grant Park Coffee House / Workout – Effect Fitness – Lunch/Dinner: Ms. Icey’s

Tuesday – Breakfast: Revolution Donuts (especially for vegans) / Workout- Walk the Beltline near Piedmont – Lunch: Tasilli’s Raw Reality

Wednesday: Breakfast At Barneys: the pancakes are to die for!! Walk it off at Stone Mountain, and hit up Ponce City Market for lunch/dinner

Thursday: Breakfast At Barneys again lol I know! Workout: Vibe Ride Lunch/Dinner: Fin and Feathers

Friday: Breakfast: Thumbs Up (original location) – Workout: Beltline Lunch/Dinner: Roc South

Saturday: Bricks at Effect Fitness for Breakfast! Check out the AUC, Civil Rights Museum, – Two Urban Licks for dinner (get the salmon chips and the scallops)

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family, my girls, line sisters and my sorority sisters – who have been my largest customer base so far 🙂 (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.). Also could not ever leave out thee greatest HBCU, Clark Atlanta University. Who taught me how to “find a way, or make one”.

Website: www.1977hustlelane.com

Instagram: @1977hustlelane

Facebook: @1977hustlelane