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

Hi Geri, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
One of the most important lesson would be that when you start your business you need to treat it like a 9 to 5 , you must have a routine to stay organized. Also don’t wait to be successful to have a team (accountant, lawyer , mentor etc)

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I consider myself an artist because fashion and beauty is art to me. I started off as a makeup artist for MAC cosmetics then ventured into fashion as a chief of operations. That experience gave me a front row look at the fashion industry and how messed up it can be at times. I really thought that creating fashion shows for international events and having our clothes worn by celebs that I was gonna be rich and famous lol! I learned the hard way that you have to pour a lot of energy and money into your business in order to receive maybe half of what you put into? It can be quite frustrating. this experience led me to get into media as a freelancer and then a plus size model. I always gravitated around fashion so becoming a stylist was a natural progression. I am very attentive and very good with plus size clients because I am one myself so I know what works !

Today I see fashion as a business. You have to be less emotionally attached and more cutthroat. It is not about you, its about what the client wants but ALWAYS remember to put your two cents into the process to stay creative because losing that or feeling like you cant create like you would want to can be quite devastating.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In Montreal there are a few spots to visit! Brunch at Chez Regine, we would go thrift shopping also at Le Chainon. for drinks and food Kamuy is a great option. To party Tropikal restaurant is perfect! Ssense boutique is a cool place to shop as well as Holt Renfrew to discover high end brands. New Regime store is just dope. Museum of Fine Arts and McCord always have great exhibits, so inspiring for fashion. Late dinner at JellyFish is a must!

This is not including all the food and music festivals that are happening like Osheaga! It really depends on the week my friend arrives. I will definitely find things to do. Montreal during the summer is lit

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?
A book that was and still is life changing for me is SOAR! by T.D. Jakes it really talks about entrepreneurship but in a real way with real advice because it is not easy, you can fail if you dont have the right ideas in place etc. I just love when people keep it real with me.

Shoutout to my clients, for real! They inspire me and push me to step up my game. It can be challenging at times but I am grateful for each and every experience.

Website: www.mllegeri.com

Instagram: @mllegeri

Twitter: @mllegeri

Facebook: @mllegeri

Image Credits
photo credit img 3385 : Alexandre PASKANOI Shah Frank : Yvette C photographe Img 6342: Ben CK photo Screenshot; Yvette C photographe joby: DS SANCHEZ photographe

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