Meet Jennifer Hogaboam of J & Grey in Culver City

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Hogaboam.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I got into fashion in my early 20’s after being a beauty school dropout, and started my own clothing line that got as far as being in a couple local boutiques Fred Seigal being my first! The further I got into pushing my line the more I realized I didn’t know enough of the industry lingo which kept me from becoming huge. Soon after, I was throwing my own fashion shows fashion shows to stay in the loop and decided to go back to school to get a fashion design degree from FIDM. I hustled as a nanny, art teacher, bartender, interior decorator, hairstylist; you name it I did it. After years of juggling 3 sometimes 4 jobs at a time, a bad breakup, and a midlife crisis I quit all jobs where I wasn’t my own boss. I traveled a bit to find myself, did the whole eat, pray, drink thing then came back to the reality of being unemployed, struggling to find a job in the fashion industry. I was one of those that fell through the cracks. Over qualified or under qualified… so I decided to take a leap of faith and open my own boutique. I was lucky enough to borrow some $ from an old boss and have a mom and step dad that are pretty handy with a hammer and nails and built my boutique from the ground up.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
So far, the biggest struggle I’ve endured would be the pretty popular restaurant, that was 2 doors down from me, moved locations; taking a lot of my foot traffic away.

J & Grey – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My boutique provides shopping for the whole family, but caters more to the female shopper. J & Grey has started to become that shop where you can pick up something to wear for that special occasion, grab a quick gift but still end up getting something for yourself. We carry over 20 LA. companies and specialize in handmade jewelry from all local designers. Our prices are great and our selection isn’t trendy. You’ll even find one of a kind pieces from myself mixed up in the collection.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success could be having it all; career, family, traveling, and smiling at the end of every day, even the bad ones paying off student loans and being debt free; One of my success stories currently in the making. Honestly, I will feel successful when I’m smiling because the money I made came from selling my creations not only to my customers but in other boutiques as eel, & then opening another boutique somewhere else.

Pricing:

• Dresses fro $30-160
• Tshirts $20-36
• Jeans $32-49
• Jewelry $10-$200
• Gifts $5-130
• Bags/Purses $35-250
• Kids Clothes $20-$65

Contact Info:

• Address: 12118 1/2 W Washington Blvd.
  Los Angeles, CA 90066
• Website: www.jandgrey.com
• Phone: 310-806-3958
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandgrey/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JandGrey/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/j-and-grey-los-angeles

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.