Women We Admire | Stephanie Ray of Grayes
In today’s world of fast fashion, it’s so amazing to find a brand like Grayes that features wearable, professional clothing made of quality materials and ethically produced in Canada. Founder Stephanie Ray created the core collection for her peers: hard-working, discerning women who want to feel great and look great. We love her dedication to her vision and asked her a few questions about her business and personal life.
Also: check out Grayes's feature on Province Apothecary founder Julie Clark
What’s the best part about being an entrepreneur? / What’s the worst part?
The best part about being an entrepreneur is seeing your vision come to life! I still get so excited when I see women walking around in Grayes! It’s so rewarding to hear from our customers how much they love our clothing and are so excited about what we are doing!
The worst part is that it’s a 24/7 job. Even when I’m not actually working, I’m always thinking about it and always “on”. It’s so hard to just take a break and tune out. So it can definitely be exhausting at points!
What piece of advice would you like to offer to other women?
My advice is to stay strong and persevere. It’s not an easy path. You’ll encounter a lot of naysayers and obstacles along the way. It’s crucial to continue to believe in yourself and your idea. At the end of the day, it’s your vision, and it’s up to you to make it happen.
Where do you get your power from?
From within. From my dream to grow Grayes!
What is your favourite 'indulgence'?
A glass of red wine!
How do you ground yourself (during the day)?
When I get stressed or overwhelmed throughout the day, I always make a to-do list and prioritize what’s most important to tackle first. This makes everything feel more manageable. I then start getting through the list one task and at time.
When do you feel most like yourself? / When are you at your happiest?
I love getting up early and starting my day with a workout! It’s the time I reserve for myself before emails, calls and meetings get started. I can take my time to eat breakfast, enjoy my coffee, and catch up on the news. From there I jump into my work feeling energized, rested, and ready to take on the day.
How would you spend a perfect 'day off'?
It doesn’t feel like I ever have a true day off! But I love spending time with friends and family, travelling, trying new restaurants, working out.
What do you eat for a power breakfast?
Avocado toast with poached eggs and coffee!
Throughout law school, founder Stephanie Ray struggled to find workwear she wanted to wear or that made her feel great. Stephanie felt forced into awkward suits when she craved chic dresses with office-friendly hemlines, blazers with style, and trousers for work and play. Pieces she would love to have in her closet and could wear off-duty too.
Upon graduation, Stephanie set out to create Grayes, a DTC Canadian-made women's workwear brand with a point of view. The mission is to provide everyday pieces that express your personal style, celebrate ambition and empower you to feel condiment at work – and beyond. Grayes soft launched in 2016 and is sold through grayes.com supported by pop-ups and events
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