Brand Q&A: Roots
Meet Gabrielle Sumlin, the founder of the online boutique, Roots.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself.
A: My name is Gabby and I live in Atlanta with my husband and daughter. I have an online boutique, Roots, and we've been open almost a year now! Owning a fashion business and being able to be with my daughter all the time was a dream and I feel extremely blessed to do just that.
I grew up in Lawrenceville, Georgia just north of Atlanta. I lived in Milledgeville while attending college at GCSU, so all my life revolves around GA!
I love my city and love exploring it even more. Before COVID, we were always checking out new restaurants, bars, walking the Belt Line, and hanging out with friends and family close by. We're really looking forward to showing our city some love when this is all over.
Q: How did you get started with Roots?
A: Roots was always an idea I've had. Years ago, I didn't realize it was an online boutique I wanted—I just knew I wanted my own business and to be successful on my terms. Even in my early years of school, I sort of knew the traditional career path was not for me, but I wasn't sure what the alternative looked like.
Right after college, I worked at a local "indie" bridal shop that had the coolest alternative styles, and while I always knew I liked fashion & style, I REALLY fell in love with it as a lifestyle here. So after moving on and working in HR after this role, I really found myself yearning for that feeling of loving my role and fashion even more.
Q: What was it like to take the plunge and start your own business?
A: Starting your own business is SCARY and that's honestly why Roots wasn't born for a while. I was comfortable in my job and didn't want to rock the boat financially and socially. It was when my husband and I learned we were pregnant with my daughter that I really saw the opportunity to launch Roots.
I knew I wanted a fashion business, and I wanted to be brave in this endeavor. Learning we were having a girl is what truly kicked me into gear—I knew I wanted her to always follow her heart and not just mold into what the world wanted her to be. So I knew I had to lead by example. With full support from my husband, I worked crazy hard on getting my ducks in a row before my maternity leave and made sure Roots was open and running before I officially decided to leave my HR job. It was terrifying (still is), but one of the best decisions I've ever made!
Q: What are three fun facts about you?
1) A few years back, I spent a month in Peru traveling around the country and even did a 5-day hike to Machu Picchu.
2) Before ever deciding I wanted to own a business, I was pre-law in college and graduated with a Criminal Justice degree. I wanted to work in the prosecutor's office. Oh my, things have changed!
3) I have a really big green thumb. I love planting and growing herbs, veggies, and flowers.
Q: Who are some of the local businesses and/or creators like yourself that you are loving right now?
A: I'm always loving some Becalia Botanicals. Jazmin is the owner and her skincare products are all inspired by her Mexican heritage and there's nothing I don't love!
Meg with Painted Parcels is an actual angel. She's an incredibly talented artist and she recently did a Happy Mail series where she offered a small painting, a card, and envelope with a stamp for others to be able to write a message to a loved one and mail off some happiness while we're all quarantining. I have mine and am still deciding who I should write to.
Q: What are some of your favorite collaborations?
A: I LOVE all my shop photos and photoshoots thanks to Black Pine Photo. Cait and Grant are a husband and wife power duo that actually shot my wedding! They've become dear friends of mine and we continued to work together beyond my wedding and they do all my shop photography. They're SO talented and do things from branding shoots to family sessions.
Also, I just launched a line of plus size styles with our recent Spring collection and I'm SO excited about this. I love being able to offer fashion for women of all shapes and sizes. Fashion is not reserved only for S-M-L.
Q: How can the community show support?
A: Word of mouth! There's nothing better than referrals and just getting more eyes on our Instagram (@shorootsatl). The more people just share our page, posts, and talk about us, the better.
I'm currently starting to work with influencers so anyone that is an influencer or knows someone who they think would be a good fit would SO helpful!
Photo Credits: Black Pine Photo