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

Hi eli, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Interesting enough, I never really thought of starting my own business, at least not right away.. it all happen to just fall into place. It was all just so random.. I was a touring musician forever and always altered my own clothes (mainly because I didn’t have the money to hire someone to help get me cool stuff to wear). So one day I randomly decided to make my own pair of drop crotch pants and a dope shirt that I could wear everywhere.. to the gym, meetings, red carpets, rehearsals and stage.

Friends asked where the hell I got my cool clothes from and I just said I made them, yes from scratch. Immediately they asked me to help make them cool stuff.. one thing lead to the next and BAM word spread like wildfire. It wasn’t till then did I look into making a business.

Because of timing it all seemed to expand so fast. I think within 3 months I was getting offers from other clothing companies to help them build their designer clothing gear/ dept. and become their unique fashion designer and head of manufacturing. I said yes to the opportunities and figured out how to make that happen. Sold it and then made it come to life if you will. I basically got paid to go to real life school of “make it work” and learned all the ins and outs of the cut and sew world here in Los Angeles. Tons of sweating but fun and was learning and building my team of great manufacturers!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Something I am very excited about and proud of is taking all the lemons of this journey and turning them into the sweetest and most amazing lemonade ever!

There is so much to my story but going from wanting to be an NFL star as a young kid, to overcoming intense religious beliefs (long story I will be touching on in my book), to acting, to a traveling salesman, to music and solo music adventures, to fashion designer/ business owner, to adjusting to merchandising shop then to pressing pause on everything and shifting to making masks and becoming a household name over night then back at it in the merchandising/ embroidery space when covid restrictions started to lift, becoming a homeowner here in LA (huge challenge but the dream came to life) and meanwhile going through an insane IVF journey with the most amazing partner (it was a success after 4 years and finally have our daughter) and now investing in real estate on top of it all..

Life is a game with all the ups and downs but you are the one that can take control and make magic come to life. Just have to remember to take it one day and one step at a time.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
a few places to go to when you’re here in Los Angeles, of course Disneyland, Universal Studios, Hollywood sign, Magic Castle, Malibu, DLTA etc.. Los Angeles has amazing spots and lots of great food options as well!

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?
Oh man, I need to shout out SO many people! But let’s start with my best friend, baby mama and wife Tara Conner. She is the most amazing, sweet, strong and powerful young lady/ souls I’ve been lucky enough to meet, know and call my wife. She is my rock and my safe place. Someone I can communicate all my crazy thoughts to and bounce all my future ideas to. She is such a powerhouse in her own right. Miss USA 2006, new amazing mom (IVF journey is real), addiction advocate and such an amazing wife/ life partner. Thank you babe for always keeping me grounded and allowing me to grow through all the craziness(es). I love you!

Website: http://www.ghostcircusapparel.com

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/elijames

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/designerelijames

Twitter: https://twitter.com/elijames

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elijames.co

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdlRlkkYavsA1Y0m4_5Pa0g

Other: http://www.ghostcircusmerch.com

Image Credits
Kilo Alexander eil james Xavier Belrose

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