Diary of a Founder:
Celebrating 15 Years of Grace

Those early days were completely unhinged because I was doing everything. Like most founders in the start-up phase, I didn’t have the luxury of having any help. I started GLL on my own, with no financial backing or safety net, just a lot of grit and long nights, even when I was exhausted. 

My days back then jumped between replying directly to every bride’s enquiry, welcoming brides into my home for one-on-one appointments, quality-controlling each dress in my mum’s factory just up the road, then packing orders and running everything to the post office. I would then spend my nights working on the website, speaking with marketing and advertising partners, sketching ideas, and developing new collections. My average day wouldn’t finish until 2am, and that was generally 7 days a week.  

I’m still at a healthy level of chaotic because I love being busy, but now I have an amazing team around me. It means I can now focus most of my time on the areas of the business that play to my strengths and where I’m needed most.

Those early days were completely unhinged because I was doing everything. Like most founders in the start-up phase, I didn’t have the luxury of having any help. I started GLL on my own, with no financial backing or safety net, just a lot of grit and long nights, even when I was exhausted. 

My days back then jumped between replying directly to every bride’s enquiry, welcoming brides into my home for one-on-one appointments, quality-controlling each dress in my mum’s factory just up the road, then packing orders and running everything to the post office. I would then spend my nights working on the website, speaking with marketing and advertising partners, sketching ideas, and developing new collections. My average day wouldn’t finish until 2am, and that was generally 7 days a week.  

I’m still at a healthy level of chaotic because I love being busy, but now I have an amazing team around me. It means I can now focus most of my time on the areas of the business that play to my strengths and where I’m needed most.

Those early days were completely unhinged because I was doing everything. Like most founders in the start-up phase, I didn’t have the luxury of having any help. I started GLL on my own, with no financial backing or safety net, just a lot of grit and long nights, even when I was exhausted. 

My days back then jumped between replying directly to every bride’s enquiry, welcoming brides into my home for one-on-one appointments, quality-controlling each dress in my mum’s factory just up the road, then packing orders and running everything to the post office. I would then spend my nights working on the website, speaking with marketing and advertising partners, sketching ideas, and developing new collections. My average day wouldn’t finish until 2am, and that was generally 7 days a week.  

I’m still at a healthy level of chaotic because I love being busy, but now I have an amazing team around me. It means I can now focus most of my time on the areas of the business that play to my strengths and where I’m needed most.

I’m a Libra! I love star signs and have a knack for guessing them. I’m a very typical Libra – drawn to beautiful things and to people’s energy and soul, and full of ambition and ideas. Most of all, I love connecting with people.  

Since GLL was born in late November, that makes her a Sagittarius. From my knowledge of both star signs, we’re the brand that can’t sit still. There’s always way too much to do, we love love, and our schedule has absolutely no chill. We’re way too passionate! 

I’m a Libra! I love star signs and have a knack for guessing them. I’m a very typical Libra – drawn to beautiful things and to people’s energy and soul, and full of ambition and ideas. Most of all, I love connecting with people.  

Since GLL was born in late November, that makes her a Sagittarius. From my knowledge of both star signs, we’re the brand that can’t sit still. There’s always way too much to do, we love love, and our schedule has absolutely no chill. We’re way too passionate! 

I’m naturally a very glass-half-full person, and I’m genuinely grateful for everything and everyone, at work and at home. Life feels a lot lighter when you approach it with optimism and appreciation. I don’t see anything as something I have to juggle; I feel lucky that I get to juggle it. That mindset is a game-changer for anyone struggling with ‘all the things.’ It also helps that I love coming to work. I love what I do, I love a challenge, and I love the people I get to do it with. 

When I’m really feeling the crunch and genuinely overloaded, I pare things back and focus on what’s a priority. That usually means my social life goes out the window for a little while, because I have too much on my work and home front. I’m good at saying no and knowing what needs to get done to move through chaotic periods. Exercise is also a big part of how I manage my wellbeing, and I’m religious about my vitamins and supplements. I’ve learnt they really do make a difference!

I’m naturally a very glass-half-full person, and I’m genuinely grateful for everything and everyone, at work and at home. Life feels a lot lighter when you approach it with optimism and appreciation. I don’t see anything as something I have to juggle; I feel lucky that I get to juggle it. That mindset is a game-changer for anyone struggling with ‘all the things.’ It also helps that I love coming to work. I love what I do, I love a challenge, and I love the people I get to do it with. 

When I’m really feeling the crunch and genuinely overloaded, I pare things back and focus on what’s a priority. That usually means my social life goes out the window for a little while, because I have too much on my work and home front. I’m good at saying no and knowing what needs to get done to move through chaotic periods. Exercise is also a big part of how I manage my wellbeing, and I’m religious about my vitamins and supplements. I’ve learnt they really do make a difference!

I’m a Libra! I love star signs and have a knack for guessing them. I’m a very typical Libra – drawn to beautiful things and to people’s energy and soul, and full of ambition and ideas. Most of all, I love connecting with people.  

 Since GLL was born in late November, that makes her a Sagittarius. From my knowledge of both star signs, we’re the brand that can’t sit still. There’s always way too much to do, we love love, and our schedule has absolutely no chill. We’re way too passionate! 

I’m naturally a very glass-half-full person, and I’m genuinely grateful for everything and everyone, at work and at home. Life feels a lot lighter when you approach it with optimism and appreciation. I don’t see anything as something I have to juggle; I feel lucky that I get to juggle it. That mindset is a game-changer for anyone struggling with ‘all the things.’ It also helps that I love coming to work. I love what I do, I love a challenge, and I love the people I get to do it with. 

When I’m really feeling the crunch and genuinely overloaded, I pare things back and focus on what’s a priority. That usually means my social life goes out the window for a little while, because I have too much on my work and home front. I’m good at saying no and knowing what needs to get done to move through chaotic periods. Exercise is also a big part of how I manage my wellbeing, and I’m religious about my vitamins and supplements. I’ve learnt they really do make a difference!