Gia Mezz was tired of seeing fast fashion on the rise — so she launched her own business.
This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Gia Mezz, 28, who is based in Los Angeles. Mezz taught herself graphic design and started fashion brand LEAU as a side hustle. Now a full-fledged business, LEAU boasts nearly $10 million in lifetime sales. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
What was your day job or primary occupation when you started your side hustle?
When I first moved to LA, I began working at a small fast fashion company where I shipped orders and counted inventory.Related: 'Hustling Since Middle School': She Started a Side Hustle on Facebook Marketplace — Then a 'Game-Changer' Grew It to $25,000 a Month.
When did you start your side hustle, and where did you find the inspiration for it?
After working in fashion for many years, I grew increasingly frustrated with how prevalent fast fashion was becoming due to the rise of social media.I launched LEAU in June 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, with small, limited batches of thoughtfully designed pieces.
What were some of the first steps you took to get your side hustle off the ground?
In my free time and off nights, I taught myself graphic design to start drafting my dream wardrobe. But I couldn't afford the costs of sampling and bulk production on my salary alone, so I started using my newfound design skills as a freelancer for other companies. I would help with designing marketing materials or packaging assets.Every cent of my side income went into funding my business, covering everything from sampling and bulk production to marketing my very first launch.
Related: This Juilliard Grad Musician Started a 6-Figure Side Hustle That Has Nothing to Do With Music — and Sold Out With Word of Mouth: 'Couldn't Ask for More'
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while building your side hustle, and how did you navigate them?
Launching my business in the middle of the pandemic was one of the most challenging experiences of my life. Factories were shutting down, supply chains were disrupted, and timelines that were already tight became nearly impossible to predict. I had to constantly pivot my strategy to keep things moving — especially at such an early stage of the business.In the beginning, I tested everything, from different design concepts to marketing strategies and various ways of connecting with my audience. Some ideas failed, but when I found something that worked, I doubled down and focused all my energy on building off that momentum.
