Meet Julie Gabriella | Creative Director & Artist

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

Hi Julie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I value my time a lot and I enjoy having a flexible schedule, so finding a 9-5 job has never been an option for me. I also love learning everything new, and being an entrepreneur requires always learning and finding new creative ways of doing things. I started my first business back in 2009 when I used to live in Beijing, China. I partnered up with a friend from my hometown and we opened women’s handbags and accessories wholesale shop. I was curating the products in China and shipping them to my hometown, while she was managing the sales. In 2013 I decided to move to US, and shortly after moving I opened online personal shopping agency, serving the customers in Europe and Russia. That was a real school of customer service, social media marketing and sales. I was working non-stop 24/7, but realised that I want to do even more. I always wanted to create my own clothing line, to make women feel strong, confident and feminine at the same time. That’s how I came up with the idea of Bed Behaved lingerie brand.
Being an entrepreneur is definitely not an easy path, it has ups and downs, but I highly encourage anyone who is thinking of starting a business – just do it! It is so rewarding to see the reaction of customers/clients who get your product/service and it keeps you going and doing better.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Along with Bed Behaved I started another project that I am passionate about – art and wearable art. I’ve always been full of artistic ideas – I get inspired by travelling, meeting people, being in love, I even see art ideas in my dreams. Right now I am working on a big project “The World Is Yours” which will have a collection of 6 paintings with secret messages encrypted in them, I am really excited to finish it and share.
As it is a new venture for me, I have a lot to learn about the art industry, being represented by galleries, attending exhibitions etc, but I am really excited about that.
As for wearable art – I create unique handpainted jackets, with “power animals” or “spirit animals” with a touch of sacred geometry and patterns.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
San Diego is one of the best cities I’ve ever lived in! Here is the list of my favorite places in town: Restaurants: Cucina Enoteca, Born&Raised, Cowboy Star, Huntress steakhouse, Lumi, Buona Forcheta, empanadas in Liberty Station market are to die for! Fresh baked churros in Cafe Coyote in Old Town Village are must-try!
Salt&Straw and Bobboi Natural Gelato for the best ice cream.
Favorite coffee shop – Communal Coffee in North Park (matcha latte with a shot of espresso and almond milk is my go-to drink).
Best sunset watching places – Torrey pines while hiking, or gliderport at Torrey Pines for a quick stop; Mission bay park; Mt Soledad National Veterans Memorial has an amazing view on sunset over the ocean and the whole city from the top. La Jolla shores with all the sea lions and birds.
Balboa Park – Japanese garden for a little relaxation and Spanish village with all the little local artists shops.

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?
I am really grateful for my family and friends being my biggest supporters. Some of the books that shaped my way of thinking – “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” and “Cashflow Quadrant” by Robert Kiyosaki, “Losing My Virginity” by Richard Branson, “The Essential Drucker” by Peter Drucker.

Website: www.juliegabriella.com

Instagram: @julie.gabriella

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-gabriella-b682481a6/

Image Credits
Daryana Orange, Lisa Dillon, Eugeniya Lomenko, Derek Gores