Daily Inspiration: Meet Tracey Hill

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracey Hill

Tracey , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Scarlet & Graves Clothing™ was born in 2015 out of a desire to create something special within the alternative fashion community. Me and my former business partner were passionate about unique, edgy fashion, but found that most brands catered to a specific audience. Instead of following the tired blueprint, we wanted to build an inclusive community for everyone to express their individuality and embrace their bold, authentic self. No gatekeeping with S&G!

The S&G momentum was quick! The artwork created by Masticis Humanis (Dan Gore & Mark De Gruchy) captures the spirits of self-expression and creativity. The artwork is a mix of horror, heavy metal, goth, grunge, and glam aesthetics. Since my former business partner is a former pro wrestler, the initial sales were primarily pro wrestling fans. Then, people from all over the globe started visiting the online store. The first online sale was from Sydney, Australia. For me, the bar was set high, and I continue to strive for greatness in everything I do.

It’s been an incredible and fascinating journey. I’ve met people from other industries and genres that I’ve collaborated with on few designs. I took over sole ownership of S&G in 2020 and I’m excited to continue pushing boundaries and providing styles that allow S&G customers to stand out. Fashion is about pushing the envelope and rewriting the rules. The general idea of what is acceptable can be elevated with a S&G twist!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In the ever-evolving entrepreneur landscape, the common challenges that I face are the usual stereotypes and double biases for a Black woman entrepreneur that permeate society. It’s 2024 and I still encounter people who are shocked by my interests, but I eagerly engage them! My passions and pursuits are diverse and vast. I hope my talent, hard work, and resilience can be an example for the next generation who want to pursue a similar path.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In addition to being the CEO and owner of my own brand, I’m also a higher education administrative professional for a major midwestern university. The skills and knowledge I’ve acquired from working at and graduating with two degrees (B.S. and M.Ed) has helped me in all aspects of my professional and personal development. Additionally, I contribute these talents to helping individuals and companies within independent pro wrestling, music, film, and literary worlds. All of my interests intersect but keep me motivated. Currently, I’m collaborating with the team at Block of Horror (https://www.blockofhorror.com) which houses a 24/7 virtual horror platform for fans, creators, and brands. Visitors can watch films, interviews with content creators, play games, and shop at the virtual mall (come say hi to me if you do!). Can you tell I love innovation and creativty? 😊

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I READ a LOT! My favorite topics include technology, entrepreneurship, and wealth management to name a few. I have books on visionaries including Warren Buffett, Daymond John, and Donald Trump. The podcast I recommend is The GaryVee Audio Experience. Entrepreneurship, marketing, business strategies, and personal development are some of the topics that are discussed, and the top-notch guests provide informative answers without the fluff!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.scarletandgraves.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletgraves/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scarletandgraves
• Twitter: https://x.com/scarletngraves