I am an Analyst at AT&T and a Trend Designer for Celebs Like Zendaya

This as-told-to essay relies on an interview with Steven Goudeau, the 42-year-old head designer and CEO of Stephen Goudeau. It has been edited for size and readability.

For the previous 17 years, I’ve had two jobs. I personal my very own vogue model and work as a full-time analyst at AT&T.

I do not suppose the typical profitable entrepreneur has only one earnings. I will by no means have one job.

I’ve beloved vogue since I used to be younger

My dad and mom had been tremendous fashionable. One in all my earliest reminiscences is of my dad sporting a mesh tank prime and gold MC Hammer pants standing subsequent to a VW Beetle. As I received older, I additionally began to play with my look.

I studied communications however stored creating garments for native folks in New Orleans, such because the pastor’s spouse. I did not have any stitching expertise, so I might go to a household buddy who owned an area alterations store, and she or he confirmed me minimize patterns and stitch.

I received a job as a visible merchandiser at The Hole in Houston, which was my first actual expertise working two jobs. Throughout the day, I labored for Chase Financial institution as a telephone contractor, after which at night time, after The Hole had closed, I embellished the shop home windows.

I began my first vogue model in 2006

My cousins helped me with my first model, Studio Sixth Sense. I designed garments for the skilled girl who lives a luxurious way of life.

I did the designs whereas they dealt with advertising, mannequin reserving, and finance. An area seamstress would sew the garments. I might take particular person commissions and take part in small vogue reveals.

I did not search funding to launch my model. As luxurious materials reminiscent of merino wool and crepe weren’t low-cost, I wanted a full-time second job to cowl this outlay as I completed my contract with Chase.

A buddy referred me to AT&T

A household buddy instructed me a few well-paid tech assist job at AT&T. It promised good advantages and wage. I interviewed, handed the take a look at, and began working for AT&T in March 2008.

At work, I might maintain a sketch pad with me so I might draw my designs throughout my downtime. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than my designs began to get observed.

New York Trend Week invited me after seeing my designs on social media

I used to be approached by New York Trend Week for its September 2012 present, as they’d noticed my designs on social media. I used to be formidable however nonetheless just a little uncooked.

I participated in a present with a gaggle of different designers and created a brand new assortment referred to as “Eat Cake” impressed by Marie Antoinette. It featured large shoulders, lots of lace, and lots of jewels. It caught the eye of movie star stylist Regulation Roach.

He began working with Zendaya in 2014 and shot her in my garments. As time went on, different celebrities, reminiscent of Tyra Banks, Lil’ Kim, Michelle Williams from Future’s Baby, and Emmy-winning actress Tabitha Brown had been photographed in my items.

Once I began gaining traction, I modified the identify

I by no means needed to place my identify on the model as a result of I did not suppose that folks would settle for a male of shade within the luxurious vogue trade.

Then I began listening to folks round me, and I agreed that Stephen Goudeau on a label inside a couture robe sounded so a lot better. It is spelled in another way from my identify, so I stored my very own id.

I do not suppose I’ll ever have one job

Being snug is an unhealthy option to reside for me. I work 9 a.m. to six p.m. 5 days per week at AT&T. My common day entails getting off the bed and grabbing espresso, then catching the prepare or an Uber to take me to the workplace.

For the subsequent eight hours, I work as an analyst for AT&T. I will not design on my lunch hour as a result of I am too busy. Analysts watch the information all day, liaise with the techs, and work with the managers within the subject.

At Stephen Goudeau, I am the top of the model. Once I go to AT&T, I can chill out just a little as a result of any person else is in cost. I can consider my day-to-day function.

AT&T is aware of that I’ve my very own vogue firm. Having a model hasn’t stopped me from progressing at AT&T.

Once I get house from my day job, I deal with my designs

Even when I am drained, it isn’t onerous to get impressed. My condominium is stuffed with mannequins. I may match till 1 a.m., however I solely want three or 4 hours of sleep.

Within the evenings, I’ve calls with my vogue firm and a workforce assembly on Monday nights. Having a stable workforce behind me ensures I do not get swamped.

The upsides of getting two jobs are, after all, the funds

Working at AT&T has additionally taught me rather a lot about operating a enterprise. I get to work with a bigger workforce and see totally different personalities and the way totally different folks work.

I’m sacrificing the time I get to spend with my household and associates, and I really feel responsible generally, however they proceed to be my largest supporters.

I keep on monitor by way of constructive ideas. As quickly as I get off the bed on daily basis, I put my toes on the bottom and inform myself I will have day as a result of we have now the facility to foretell how our day will go.

In 2025, I plan to get into retail

My aim is to have a showroom this yr. I’ve began designing lots of equipment as a result of no person wears couture on daily basis.

My household does fear about me getting burned out, however they see the larger image. They know that I would like the Stephen Goudeau firm to be generally known as a luxurious family model, however I do not plan to go away AT&T.