July 25, 2024 • 44 mins
As we’ve learned from Tanya, a Modern Woman follows her compass and can achieve anything she wants, and that’s exactly what Gigi Caruso embodies.
Gigi shares her inspiring story of starting her own business, leading a company, and her journey of hearing loss. Besides empowering women through her business, Gigi also helps other kids experiencing hearing loss through her foundation “Hear with You”, and she’s ready to talk about it all when she hangs out with Becca and Tanya!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Scrubbing In with Becca Tilly and Tanya ret An iHeartRadio podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Hello everybody, we are scrubbing in.
Speaker 3 (00:10):
Scrub a dub dub dumb.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
I'm excited because today we have a guest and we
haven't had a guest episode in a minute.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
We have not.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
We've given a lot of advice, yes, and we're taking
a break.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Yeah. Yeah, I turned thirty seven, and I'm like, I
have so much wisdom to give, but not this wee
but not this week though, because we have somebody much wiser,
much wiser.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
She's accomplished more than many do in this amount of time.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Yeah, I mean she launched a brand at sixteen.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Yeah, she is a hearing loss advocate. She has her
own foundation called Here with You. She is an owner
of her own company, GGC Bikinis.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
It has loungewear, active.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
Wear, swimsuits, all the things.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
All the things. And she's only twenty four.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Yeah, she's a business woman.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
She's a businesswoman, and we are so excited to have
her scrubbing in.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
So please welcome Cariso Gig. We are so happy to
have you here.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Well, she came in bringing us gifts.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
I was gonna say she brought us gifts. She brought
us swim matching swimsuits. How do you feel about that?
Speaker 3 (01:15):
So, Gigi, thank you so much for bringing us matching
swimsuits because I love matching. Becca. Yes, she does not
like to match me, but happy too.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
But like, do we need to wear this swimsuit on
the same day together?
Speaker 3 (01:29):
Absolutely?
Speaker 4 (01:30):
Can you be cute?
Speaker 1 (01:31):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (01:31):
So cute.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Yeah, it'll be super cute.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
But I'm really I love it so much, so I
can't wait to wear it. And it's just so thoughtful
and sweet that you brought it. But you shared that
this is your first in studio podcast.
Speaker 4 (01:44):
Yes, thank you for having me. I'm so excited.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
We're so honored. For people who don't know you have
started your company. How old were you when you started it?
Speaker 4 (01:55):
I was sixteen when I started it.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Okay, I have just so many I have so many
uessions and I don't even know what order to go in,
but I guess we'll start there. Okay, So you're sixteen
and you're in high school. Yes, how do you even
have the like where the idea came to you?
Speaker 4 (02:12):
Yes? So I grew up. I have three older brothers,
so I'm always being active and we would travel a lot,
and we would always be in the water doing water sports.
We weren't just like laying out and tanning on the beach,
and so I never had bathing suits that I felt
like we're staying on when I was weakeboarding or tubing
and doing all the fun things in the water. So
(02:34):
I actually started cutting up my old Victoria's Secret bathing suits,
the iconic ones, and literally like pinning them together, safety
pinning them, gluing them, and then I took them to
my mom and I was like, oh my gosh, look
at this, Like this would be so much more supportive
and it's really cute still, because I felt like the
surf suits that were available at that time weren't like fashionable,
(02:59):
they weren't cute, they were more, you know, really surfyeared.
So I ended up putting them all together and then
my mom was like, let's bring this to life. She
had a little girl clothing line before I was born
because she always need of having a girl, and so
she has that experience with design and she's like, let's
make this happen. And it just kind of went from
there and it's grown into an incredible brand that I'm
(03:21):
so proud of.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
That is so crazy.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Well, I'm thinking about myself at sixteen, and she was
not an entrepreneur.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
By oh no, no, no, no no.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
So did it happen?
Speaker 1 (03:36):
I mean, obviously your mom being in the industry and
like having.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
A swimsuit model.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
She was, so she was just she was a model,
and then she had my brothers, and then, as I said,
she always wanted a girl, so she started designing little
girl dresses and did that with her best friend, and
then she found out she was pregnant with me and
stopped doing that and was just so excited to finally
have a girl. She said she would keep going until
she got a girl, and so she got her girl.
(04:02):
And I think she was just so excited when I
started to express my love for fashion too, since she's
always had that, and so I just continued to design
and cut up more and more suits and we started
putting them into actual sketches and it just went from there.
But I would go home after school and focus on that,
and I loved it. I was so passionate about it,
(04:23):
and I think it's so special that I was feeling
as passionate at such a young age, and then now
I can continue it like I'm really grateful for that
because I always worried like was I going to be
like what do I want to do with my life?
Where do I want to go after college? Like what
do I want to study? And it really just naturally
came to me. It's just like childhood passion with fashion.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
And so you did it at sixteen. So you launched
this company And was it just swimsuits at the time.
Speaker 4 (04:50):
Yes, and only black and white. Always said I wanted
it to just be classic, timeless pieces.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
That's so she get sixteen. I would have seen me
at sixteen.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
I'm trying to think I wore one.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
I went on a brand trip to the Bahamas and
I wore one of your whites. Oh my gosh, yeah,
one of the It was like the one piece that
has the cutouts and everyone was like, what is this swimsuit?
I loved the material was so cool, and so when
we were going to have you on, I was like,
she's been doing this for a long time, you guys,
because that.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Was back in I was with Robert twenty sixteen.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Long time.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Yeah, crazy dating men.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
And our fabric is signature to us. It's our silky scuba.
So it's not like heavy, it's really thin and really soft,
and it seriously hugs you in all the right places,
like when I put our surfsuit on, it just like
sucks you in and you feel ready to go, like
you can do anything and not have to worry about
having like any malfunctions in the water.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
I love fucking I love when people have find something
that's missing in the market, which was like cute, cute
swimsuits that you can wear while you're not just laying
out or like frolicking in the ocean, but actually doing
water sports, but still feel like cute and feminine w
all doing that.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
I love that you found that gap.
Speaker 3 (06:00):
That you actually like let your mom Like I feel
like when I was sixteen and my mom wanted to
help me with anything, like I was always like no,
like I don't you know what I mean, Like I
want to do it myself. It's like Lnice that you
actually like listened and like had that guidance.
Speaker 4 (06:11):
And she's still the co founder of the brand. We
still work together every day and it's just such a blessing.
It's so fun. We're best friends.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
That is really cool.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
How what's your age difference between your youngest brother.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
What's the We're.
Speaker 4 (06:23):
Five years okay, and then my oldest brother's ten years,
ten years.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Older than you.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
Yes, okay, So your mom was like it's gonna happen eventually.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
Yes, I just gotta wait. My sister has four boys,
and then she finally had.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
A right and it was kind of the same thing,
like she was always kind of like, I'll probably just
have a basketball team of boys, but then she got
pregnant and it was a girl, and it's like, that's
just so sweetesty, you know, that's so sweet.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
I know.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
So you launched this it's GGC and it was just swimwear,
and when did you break out into other things?
Speaker 4 (06:52):
So we got approached by Carbon thirty eight to do
a collection with them for sportswear, and so we did
a sports for a collection that had our cutouts in
the leggings and in the bras, and it did so
so well for Carbon thirty eight that we actually brought
it in house and then started designing more sportswear for
the brand. So we brought sportswear in house and we
started designing more collections around that, and it did so well.
(07:16):
And then during COVID there's a whole Boom for loungewear,
and so we actually launched our sustainable cashmere collection and
we did like a knitted cut out on the sleeve
and it was still really chic and comfortable, and bringing
in that sustainability was important for us. So my goal
long term for GGC is just to continue to tap
(07:37):
into other categories and really build like a lifestyle brand.
There's so many things I want to do, like what
I would love to just go into, Like, Okay, I
want to dress our GGC girl for vacation from head
to toe, so like tying in other accessories, more cover ups.
I think there's a huge gap in the market for
cover ups just for me personally. I can never find
(07:58):
a cover up that I can wear it to the
beach but then also not feel like uncomfortable wearing it
to lunch right, right, you can dress it up for dinner,
and so we've tapped in that a little bit with
our mesh cover ups and our skirts here and there.
But I really would like to like dive fall into
that because I think there's so much you can do there.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
You're so right that I have the hardest time finding
cover ups that I'm.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
I don't think I have any that I really like,
but like they're like, you're right, they're just for the beach,
you know what I mean, Like they're just for the beach.
And you can't like wear your cover up to lunch.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
Or like walking around a town. Like you want something
that's covering you but still not like too hot, right,
and you can like dress it up with a bag
and shoes and sunglasses and like make it a full outfit.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
Right.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
So that would be my long term goal for the
brand is to be able to do that.
Speaker 1 (08:44):
Have you had a person that wore your swimsuit and
like Tiger, you just saw them wearing it where you
were like, oh my gosh, I can't believe this person's
wearing my brand.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
The first like celebrity major person to wear GIGC with
Julian Huff and I was freaking out. It was on her.
I think it was like her bachelorette or something, And
that was probably like my big moment, like oh my god,
like other people are loving my product, and that really
like gave me the passion to continue with it. Yeah,
(09:13):
thank you putting out there.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
Did you go to the Eras tour premiere the movie premiere?
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Yes, Okay, I met her there? Did I meet?
Speaker 4 (09:23):
We sat down next to each other.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Yeah, yeah, wait at the.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Oh you went to that one too?
Speaker 2 (09:30):
At the g because I thought I saw I was
in the theater.
Speaker 4 (09:33):
Oh my gosh, No, Kay, Taylor was in a.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
Thing and I saw y'all come in and I was.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
Oh, my god, I don't I know her, but she
don't know me. But she said, Hi, there's a lot happening.
I was over stimulated and was.
Speaker 4 (09:46):
Such an incredible night. That was amazing, Like when she
walked in a theater, I was like, we're about to
watch this with her, Like you're in.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
That theater too.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Yeah, did you get to meet her.
Speaker 4 (09:56):
Like in passing, like for two seconds? I mean, I'm
sure she was just so a lot going on, but yeah,
I can't believe we were like sitting behind her while
she's watching and she was like singing and dancing with
her dancers. It was insane.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
Yeah, she was mad that I didn't go to the
one with her, and I was like, I was literally
behind I couldn't say noticeting ball.
Speaker 3 (10:14):
We had plans to see it together, so that was like,
you know, like we were going to see it together.
She like didn't you get like a whole movie theater,
no eight seeds whatever, same difference. Rented a movie theater,
got the seats, and we were going to see it together.
And then she was like I got invited to the
premiere and I was like, we're supposed to see it together.
And she's like, Taylor Swift is going to be like
(10:35):
in my theater.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
Like how do you say no that that?
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Yeah, like I did what had to be done.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
Yeah, she had to go. But we actually met at
did they did that? They like rent out of theater
and invited friends and we ended up sitting next to
each other. One of my girlfriends actually went out with
your brother.
Speaker 4 (10:56):
How I started talking.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
She does not need to be She's one of my
best friends, you know her? Okay, gotcha, got got yeah.
But yeah that's how we met. You were sitting right
next to us and we were all like dancing and
like we had the theme.
Speaker 4 (11:11):
It was so fun. We like just no one like
sat the rest of the movie. Like we were literally
like up and singing dancing the whole time.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
Taylor was doing like backflips and stuff. Yeah, I want
to talk about your foundation here with you. Because Tanya
was asking she goes, I have a question. I think
it's dumb that I want to ask her, And I
was like, what is it? And she was like, I'm
just curious what it's like to Was it not like when.
Speaker 3 (11:35):
Like when you were born, did you could you hear
or could you not hear anything? Or what did you hear?
Speaker 4 (11:40):
Yeah, well I don't remember because I was so young.
I was I was born with it, but I got
my first her of hair and age at three months old,
so I was very grateful that I got that so
soon after I was diagnosed. So many kids, so everyone
(12:00):
has to get screened at birth, every maybe, and there's
so much follow up that has to be done. You
have to get tested, you have to get fitted for
ear molds, and then you get your hearnaes and a
lot of children don't have that follow up, so they
are actually missing that super important developmental time where they're
hearing different sounds and then you start to talk and
(12:20):
you're hearing what your parents are saying. You're picking that up,
and a lot of kids miss that. So part of
what we're doing at the Foundation is really making sure
that the kids that are diagnosed are getting those resources
and their parents are getting those resources as soon as
possible so that they can get speech therapy and get
hearing aides and they don't miss that important time frame.
(12:41):
So I was very grateful and blessed that I got
here in aides at three months.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
So at three months you have a hearing aid put
in your ear, yes, but how did you How did
your parents know that, like something was off.
Speaker 4 (12:54):
Because you have to get tested at birth.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Oh, so the doctors were just like.
Speaker 4 (12:58):
I didn't pass my hearing tests as a baby, and
then I got my hair in aids and I went
through years of speech therapy all the way up until
I want to say, like eighth grade. And right before
I went into high school, this device called the lyric
Bonac Haronade came out and it sits. So I used
to have these big, chunky heronades when I was growing up,
(13:20):
which was so hard in school because other kids are
coming up like what's in your ear and wanting to
try it or like poke it and try it. That
was like like can I try it on? And so
that was really tough. And going into high school, I
feel like that's just a very anxious time in general.
It's like a whole new chapter you're going into a
big school. I went to high school. I didn't know anyone,
(13:44):
And so these little devices, the lyric sits right on
your ear drum, so it's all the way in my ear.
You can't see it from the outside. You wouldn't know
I'm wearing a hare inaid right now. And so I
got that, and I didn't even realize. I think because
I was born not being able to hear well, I
didn't even realize how much I was missing. So when
(14:06):
I got the lyric, I heard my voice clearly for
the first time. I heard rain. I walked outside the
hospital and I heard the waterfall, and I didn't even
really see I was there when I walked into the
hospital at first to get this put in. So there
were so many sounds that I didn't even know I
was missing, and I'm still discovering new sounds. It's crazy.
(14:26):
Just I'll be like, oh my god, I heard an owl.
I hear my dogs on the hardwood floor of their
claws so much, and so I don't think I ever
it was such a gift that I got. I don't
like to even call it hearing loss because I never
feel like I really lost it. In the first place.
It's something. It was a gift that I gained later
in life. I just wasn't born with it.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
That is so wild. So is it like again part
of my ignorance. Is it surgery that's put in there
or is it just like somebody just goes in while
you're awake.
Speaker 4 (14:57):
I was awake. A doctor has to put it in
because it sits so close to your ear drum. It's
really scary. If it hits, it's not right. You have
to sit, you get measured before, and it gets to
put in like a super specific place. So doctor puts
it in. But I can take it out on my own.
I just can't put it in. So if I want
(15:17):
to go swimming, they're not waterproof, I can take them out,
but I can't. I have to go to the doctor
to get it put back in.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
So if you go swimming, you have to take that out,
and then you just can't hear.
Speaker 4 (15:27):
I can hear very very if you're like right in
front of me and looking at me, I can hear you.
But if you turn your back or you walk away
from me, then it's very difficult for me.
Speaker 3 (15:38):
But I imagine like you probably don't want to swim that much, right,
because you just don't want to go to the doctor
or to get it put back in.
Speaker 4 (15:44):
Well. I actually love swimming because I think it's a
nice way for me to just take a break. It's
almost like overstimulating to have my hairnads, and sometimes in
loud environments, it's so much noise and it's a lot
for my brain to process and to be like really
like translating everything I'm hearing. So I like to take
them out and go in the water. It feels so
(16:05):
good to get water in my ears because I don't
feel that feeling often and to just escape from reality
for a little bit, give my mind a break.
Speaker 5 (16:13):
Yeah, that's so crazy.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
So from birth basically until high school, everything was just
almost like muted sounds.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
Is that how you would describe it.
Speaker 4 (16:39):
Yes, I would say it's very like muted, and I
couldn't I can't hear a lot of like sh sounds.
And again, like if teachers would turn their back in
class and right on a board, it would be almost
impossible for me to hear them. I relied on lip
reading a lot growing up, and so especially in college,
even with the lyric being like huge classrooms and if
(17:01):
you have a teacher that's not facing you. It's really difficult.
So high school, going through school was tough with a
hearing loss, and I really just want to make sure
that I can provide resources to kids now and even
children in high school and college. You have to speak
up for yourself, and you have to advocate for yourself
and sit your teachers down and say, hey, this is
(17:22):
what I need. I have hearing loss. I have this disability.
I think it's so important to teach kids at a
young age to learn how to do that, because if
I didn't learn how to advocate for myself, I would
definitely not be where I am today.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
Right, Like did you have to like sit in the
front of class, Like did you have to sit in
the front seat.
Speaker 4 (17:37):
Yes, and have like a note taker, have captions When
we were on zoom during COVID, I was still in
college and so I needed captions on zoom. I just
think it's so important to speak up for what you
need because hearing loss is sometimes an invisible disability, Like
you don't look at someone and know they have hearing loss,
so you're not like being aware that they may need
(18:00):
to extra support, and so you have to just advocate
and speak up for yourself, and it can be really
scary to do that, especially at a young age and
with teachers. But I was so grateful that I had
my family and my friends around me that really like
pushed me and taught me how to do that. And
so with the foundation, I want to bring more people
(18:21):
together that are part of the deaf and heart of
hearing community so we can all you don't feel so
alone and isolated. Other people are going through this and
you can share stories and hear what helped someone else.
And I think it's so important to have that sense
of community.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Yeah, I feel like, have you met Daisy from The Bachelor?
Speaker 4 (18:38):
We haven't we Actually, yes we did. We met as
stage coach. We ran into each other at stage coach.
But we've talked here and there and messaged to each other.
And I love her. She's such an inspiration. She's amazing.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
Yeah, she's amazing.
Speaker 1 (18:49):
And it's it was so eye opening during her season
of seeing how her talking about it and then seeing
the way people responded to it. Who how so many
people have experienced either during laws are like, you know,
hard of hearing whatever it was, and how impactful it
is to have someone with a platform talk about it.
So I think that's so important what you're doing and
giving people the chance to have the experience of what
(19:13):
you experienced in high school. Obviously at three months you
you got assistance hearing, but having such a change when
going into such a vulnerable time, So that's really cool. Yeah,
what are your goals like with the with the foundation,
like you what are the resources and like how young
does it start? And like does it feel like people
(19:35):
don't have access to it because of cost or in short,
like does entrance cover what is it that keeps people
from doing that?
Speaker 4 (19:43):
So we definitely are targeting targeting the lower income communities
because they don't have the access and the resources they
need and yeah it's expensive to have here and need,
but also just even getting the referral of where do
I even go? Like these families don't even know what
the next step is. Is your baby is given this
test at birth and say they don't pass it. There's
(20:04):
not a lot of resources that you're given out a
hospital for where you should go next. And every child
is different. There's different levels of hearing loss and so
you need to go to the right person for the
right support. So we really want to connect with different
organizations that have already started to tap into those families
(20:24):
and then give them the referrals they need. I'm working
on the foundation with my audiologists, and so she has
incredible resources, she's able to test kids. We're actually partnering
with Parlos Ninos, which is I don't know, have you
guys heard of Carlos. They're amazing, and we're going to
their daycare and we are doing free hearing screenings for
(20:46):
the parents and the kids there. And that's just the
first step in us just tapping into that community and
giving them the opportunity to get a hearing tests that's
for free, and they don't need to figure out a
way to get transportation to the doctor's office or where
do they even go to get the tests, and we're
coming to them. So I'm really excited about that, and
(21:08):
there's just many more things that we can do as
foundations similar to that. I actually had a zoom on
Friday with an organization called No Limits and they're incredible.
I could have talked to them for hours. But they
bring kids in that don't have a lot of the
resources they need, and they give them speech therapy for free,
and there's this six year old girl, and she hadn't
(21:31):
been able to have speech therapy, and she hadn't been
able to have the access to hear needs, and so
she hasn't spoken yet. And she went through a few
months of therapy with them and then she was able
to say, Hi, my name is and my dream job is,
and this is what I want to be when I
grow up, and I can do it. That's their hole
motto is, I can do it. And so now we're
(21:53):
looking to partner with them and making sure that we
can refer children to them, that we meet up Parlos NEO.
So again it goes back to that sense of community
and working together. There's so many great organizations out there,
but everyone's doing things separate, and we need to bring
them all together and bring together those family and children
(22:13):
so that they know they're not alone. I didn't really
have I didn't know anyone growing up that had hearing loss.
So I felt so alone. I didn't have anyone I
could talk to that understood it.
Speaker 3 (22:22):
I feel okay. So you're like, you know you're older,
you're confident, like you know you are, you are who
you are, But like when you were younger and you
were going through this was it like did you get
made fun of a lot?
Speaker 4 (22:32):
Like?
Speaker 3 (22:32):
Do you have like trauma from growing up?
Speaker 4 (22:35):
I think high school, even though I had the lyric,
was probably honestly the hardest four years because of my
teachers not being understanding. And it ended up that my
dad had to sit them down and say you wouldn't
take someone in a wheelchair take the stairs. And I
think that like really hit them again because it's an
(22:56):
invisible disability. They weren't seeing how much I was struggling
sitting in class and couldn't hear them that I needed
the extra support. Something just wasn't clicking for them. And
so another thing that I would like to do with
here with you is to go and talk to schools
and to sit down with a teachers and to give
presentations and say, okay, this is what you need to
do if you have someone in your class who is
(23:17):
deaf or hard of hearing.
Speaker 3 (23:17):
But would you like on your first day a school,
would you tell your teachers like I'm hard of hearing, yeah,
and then they would just do nothing about it, is which.
Speaker 4 (23:24):
I just I don't think anyone what cares them? Yeah,
they don't know what to do. And so that again
goes back to you have to speak up for yourself
and say this is what I need.
Speaker 3 (23:35):
Yeah, but it's like again at that.
Speaker 4 (23:37):
Age, it's so hard. It's so intimidated to a teacher. Yeah, exactly,
ask go to the bathroom, you know.
Speaker 1 (23:45):
Yeah, literally, I would be so scared to raise my
hand to go the bathroom. I imagine having to say like, hey, I.
Speaker 2 (23:50):
Can't hear hard, can you? You know? Turn around?
Speaker 4 (23:54):
Definitely. So there's just so many things I want to
do and I am doing with the Foundation, where really
just sitting down with families and organizations and we're asking
them what do you want from us? I think it's
important to hear from the community and where the gaps
are missing and how we can provide support in those areas.
And then the Foundation isn't just for people who are
(24:15):
deaf or hard of hearing. It's also to bring more
awareness to hearing loss in general. And so even me
being here today and speaking about it and putting out
resources on how you can protect your hearing. All of
us nowadays we're going to super loud concerts, we're going
to football games or where we do that air pods
that are like blasting music yes, but it's damaging your hearing.
(24:39):
Even if you don't have a hearing you go to.
Speaker 3 (24:40):
A concert, is it bad? Is it bad for you
with your.
Speaker 4 (24:44):
So my lyrics actually act as ear plugs and they'll
automatically shut off when the noise level is too dangerous.
And it's so important for people even without hearing loss,
to know, Okay, you need to wear ear plugs. You
need to protect your hearing because you can damage your
he And there's so many like different fun ear plug
companies now that make them like really cool looking, like
(25:06):
you don't have to wear anything that's really chunky and
other people can see. But it's so important to protect
your hearing and not last music in your ears or
go to these big venues. There's actually an app I've
been using recently where you can test the noise level
and it will tell you if it's too loud. And
I was at a restaurant with my parents on vacation
(25:27):
and it was so loud in this restaurant and my
parents couldn't hear and I was like, hold on, let
me take it out and see, and it was a
dangerous level. So we actually ended up leaving because I
was my brain was going crazy. It was overwhelming for me,
and then they couldn't hear, and I want to protect
their hearing. So it's little things like that that you
can do.
Speaker 2 (25:46):
Oh, you don't even think about that at a restaurant.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
No, And I think, honestly, hearing is something that we
take for granted. Yeah, like I really do you know,
like you just don't. You don't think about it, Yeah,
like you don't think about protecting it, Like it's not
something that, like, you know, I think come out on
a daily basis.
Speaker 1 (26:02):
I want to talk about your parents because I'm so
fascinated by well, I'm so impressed by you because you
come from a known family and your dad's very a
very well known businessman, and yet you're taking something that's
been you know, given to you and you're using it
for so much good and like doing so much and
starting your own business at sixteen and starting a foundation
(26:25):
that's like helping people in the community is so impressive
to me. But I have always been curious about having
a parent or family member in politics, and I'm curious
what that's been like for you, because it's like, obviously
your dad is a successful businessman, he has these beautiful
malls and businesses. But what was it like for you
when he entered the political world for your family and
(26:47):
just you know, it's like, what kind of conversations were
you having with people?
Speaker 4 (26:52):
I mean, I think it was one of those things
where my brothers and I were all so close and
we were like, we're going to rally behind what i've
my dad wants to, We're going to support him. We're
just that tight knit family and we're all in this together.
It wasn't like he came to us and I was like,
this is what I'm doing. He actually sat us down
and he was like, is this okay? Are you guys
(27:13):
on board? As a family, We're going to do this.
And it was, honestly like such a special time to
be campaigning and going around la I learned so much
about our city just going into different areas and neighborhoods
and meeting different communities and people, and it was so
eye opening and inspiring. It was such a special time
(27:33):
in it. Even I never thought our family could become closer,
but we all became closer because it was we went
through it together. And obviously there were tough days and
tough challenges. It's not an easy time when you were
reading the comments on Instagram, like I had to be like, Okay,
you can't dive into that, you can't read that. And
I feel like I've never gone through that before where
(27:55):
I publicly eve been seeing my dad be attacked, and
so that was really tough. But again, it was us
all leaning on each other and supporting each other. And
you know who you are, you know you your family is,
I know who my dad is, and you just have
to block that out and stay true to yourself and
stick up for what you believe in. So it was
such an incredible experience and I'm so grateful that I
(28:18):
was able to live through something like that.
Speaker 3 (28:20):
Yeah, does it make you like, I mean, I follow
you on Instagram and I feel like your Instagram's pretty,
Like what's the word I'm looking for? PG? Like it's very,
you know what I mean? Like it's very? But do
you ever like second guest things sometimes?
Speaker 4 (28:34):
Like of course, yeah, I think in today's world, a
lot of people, right you never you're never going to
please everyone though, and especially on the campaign trail, you know,
I always I was wanting to post about my dad
and wanting to post about my family and what we're
doing and where we're going today and what we believe
in and we're standing up for in politics. But you
(28:55):
can't please everyone in politics. Everyone has their own views
and so that was always tricky. But it just goes
back to being yourself and staying true to who you
are in business, in every day of life, and with GGC,
I always go back to that. I think it's so
important to just cancel out the outside noise and just
(29:16):
be who you are.
Speaker 1 (29:34):
Were there ever times where you were like seeing stuff
or or there was something that he said or did
where you all were like you were like having conversations
with him, like or where you disagreed or there was that,
you know, conflict, because I feel like if my dad
ran for anything, we'd be having some conversations.
Speaker 4 (29:52):
I think we definitely have fun family dinner conversations, but
it's all like healthy and I think.
Speaker 3 (29:59):
It's great that great place.
Speaker 4 (30:01):
Each one of my brothers and I like we all
have different views on different opinions, Like it's not like
we're always gonna agree exactly on the same thing, and
I think that was what made it so special. It's like, Okay,
let me challenge you on this. How do you feel
about this, And we had amazing conversations, but it was
never like we butt heads on anything. It's just like
healthy debates that would happen at the dinner table.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
We need more healthy debates.
Speaker 3 (30:24):
Yeah, honestly, that's such a refreshing place to be at
because I think that politics can like really tear into families.
You know, it's like very polarizing. So the fact that
you can have like healthy debates is like a great
place to be.
Speaker 4 (30:37):
And I think it also we all love the city
so much. We all grew up in La and we
have so many memories in La, and we see it
going in a direction that was really breaking our hearts,
and so we just were so passionate about getting La
back to a safe place where you can feel comfortable
as a woman walking down the street and not be
(30:58):
worried about anything. And so I think that really drove us.
It wasn't oh, I'm going to run and take this
political position like there was a lot of heart behind it.
It wasn't something that was just so I'm getting into politics.
He really saw a need and wanted to help La.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
Did it give you any desire to go into politics.
Speaker 4 (31:22):
I will always support him, and I will always if
he decides to run for anything again or go into politics,
I'll always be there. And I have learned so much
through the whole journey and the process of all of it.
But I don't think I would have the strength to
go through it myself. It's really tough. It's a lot,
(31:45):
and it can be very draining. And I think again,
it was the love for the city we grew up
in that made it a passionate experience.
Speaker 1 (31:55):
Yeah, honestly, I mean that knowing where it comes from
and like the the passion and heart behind it, and
like what y'all wanted for LA.
Speaker 4 (32:04):
But never say never. I don't know. We'll see what
happens in the future.
Speaker 3 (32:08):
I'll never say never. Wow, I could see you like
in politics really yeah, but we'll see you're like starting
your own business, you know what I mean? Like I
feel like you have it in you.
Speaker 4 (32:24):
Yeah. I mean, it was such a fun ride. It
was it was amazing. It was a special night. Election
night was a really special night. But I don't know
if I could stand up there and do all the
things he did. I admire him for that.
Speaker 1 (32:38):
Yeah, I could never ever, I like say one thing
on the podcast, and I'm like, was that rude?
Speaker 2 (32:44):
You guys?
Speaker 3 (32:45):
You know, it's very it's crazy, and I do I like,
I do admire. I admire a lot that you know
that you guys can stand up and say and and
and be and be together and be like a united front.
I think that's really special.
Speaker 2 (32:58):
Are you dating?
Speaker 4 (32:59):
Yeah? I have a boyfriend.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
You've had a boyfriend for a while, right.
Speaker 4 (33:02):
Yes, we've been dating for over five years now.
Speaker 3 (33:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (33:05):
Wow?
Speaker 3 (33:06):
How did you meet him?
Speaker 4 (33:07):
At USC? He texted me out of nowhere. I didn't
even know who he was. And he sent me a
text and he was like, I know this is far
out of left field, but would you go to invite
with me? And I like, immediately I was in my
doring room. I'll never forget this, right.
Speaker 3 (33:24):
What's invite?
Speaker 4 (33:25):
Invite is when the fraternities have like a night out
and they usually invite a girl from a sorority.
Speaker 3 (33:33):
And wait, wait, wait what fraternity? What's sorority?
Speaker 4 (33:36):
Okay, So he was in Sikhai and I was in Kappa.
I had just gotten into Kappa. It was my freshman year.
I probably looked like I think it was like two
weeks after I got into Kappa. And I guess it
was his last invite. So he was a senior and
I was a freshman, and all his friends were like, oh,
like looking at the photo of like the new Kapa girls, like,
let's take the new girls. So he reached out to me,
(33:59):
and I was in my dorm room with a few
of my best friends and we were just immediately like
looking him up, who is he, figuring everything about him,
and he was super cute. So I was like, yeah,
I'll go to invite with you. I was so nervous though,
because I didn't know him, I didn't know any of
his friends. I'm a freshman going to senior invite with
all these seniors. It was intimidating, but we honestly just
(34:22):
hit it off that night and ever since we've been together.
Speaker 2 (34:24):
Wow, amazing. Yeah, is he the one?
Speaker 3 (34:28):
Yes, Okay, that's exciting.
Speaker 4 (34:32):
I'm just waiting.
Speaker 1 (34:34):
I was like, I'm not gonna ask, but maybe she'll
say I'm just waiting.
Speaker 2 (34:39):
Donia also was just waiting.
Speaker 3 (34:40):
I was just waiting for a long time. It happened recently, right, Yeah,
it's September of last year, so.
Speaker 4 (34:46):
Like gone by really fast. I just saw you posting
about it.
Speaker 3 (34:50):
I know honestly, but I was waiting for like two years.
Speaker 1 (34:54):
Do you feel like every trip or special event that
y'all have that you're like, yes, gotta wardrobe is white
right now?
Speaker 2 (35:02):
You're literally me that is so funny.
Speaker 3 (35:05):
Always I was like manifesting it, and I was just
like always wearing white. Do you know if he's asked
your parents for.
Speaker 4 (35:10):
They don't know, and I've stopped asking, like I don't
want to know anything. Like when it happens, it happens,
it will be the perfect right moment. So I'm just
sitting here and like letting it all unfold. My brother's
getting married in two weeks actually, so I think maybe
after moment, which is so respectful of Yeah, is.
Speaker 2 (35:31):
That like non negotiable that he asked your parents for permission?
Of course?
Speaker 4 (35:35):
Right? Like yeah, my parents, Like I don't want him
to go to just my dad. I think it's my mom.
I'm so close to my mind. I think he should
set the book down, ye, Like it's good for the
guys to be put in that situation for.
Speaker 3 (35:50):
Is I knew when he asked my parents.
Speaker 4 (35:54):
My mom she just no, she like told you or
she just couldn't lie to you. If you asked her,
she told me, okay.
Speaker 2 (36:01):
Yeah, she didn't even have to be prompted, came right out.
Speaker 3 (36:05):
There's no prime. So I was like at that point,
I was like, oh man. And it was months after that,
so it's good that you don't know, because that really
kept me on my toe.
Speaker 4 (36:15):
I want to be so surprised, like I want to
be completely caught off guard. Obviously. I want to be
like dressed, and you'll be dressed in your nails put together,
nails are going to be done for their for a while.
You're not always missing an appointment. Yeah, definitely, everything's white
suit or exact sign.
Speaker 3 (36:35):
You know that works out though, because like after you
get engaged and you're just like always gonna wear white,
and then like in your wedding season, you're just like.
Speaker 1 (36:41):
Yeah, honestly, that's perfect. You could design a like an
engagement capsule collection.
Speaker 4 (36:47):
We actually have so many brides that reach out to
us asking for a white suits, like we've done bride
all edits on Instagram. We get pressed around bride bachelorette
like wear this suit. Like We've had so many bachelor parties.
I'm being tagged in on Instagram and I love it
it's so fun to see. We even had this one
(37:07):
girl did she wore a white suit and then she
had all of the girls behind her wear like this
light pink that we did and it was just so cute.
I love seeing people like enjoying our suits, especially during
such a special time.
Speaker 3 (37:19):
Yeah, that is really fun.
Speaker 1 (37:21):
Yeah, Okay, you have a year in advance. They're like,
you can do whatever you want this next year with
the foundation, with the company starting something new.
Speaker 2 (37:30):
What does the next year look like with no woman?
Speaker 4 (37:32):
Gosh, that's a big question. I would say. In terms
of GGC, just continuing to grow it and like I said,
tapping into those other categories. I would love to just
come out with like a big collection of cover ups.
And I just want to continue expanding the brand and
(37:54):
bringing more awareness to it and doing more activations around it.
We're planning a workout class our fall collection that launches soon,
which I'm really excited about. So just continuing to grow GGC.
In terms of the foundation, I think really just partnering
(38:14):
with more organizations like I mentioned, and my dream would
just to be able to see what we're doing actually
come to life. Like I would love to see like
one kid that I meet and we do screening with them,
and then I'd love to see like the progress of
them Okay, getting their here and it's a progress, and
them going to speak to therapy and learning how to
(38:34):
say words. Just because we do things here and there,
but I don't get to see the full journey of
other children, and so I think it would be so
special to see the full journey of the kids that
we've been meeting with. I've been mentoring this young girl
and she's literally reminded me of myself when I was
She's going to eighth grade, and it's so fun to
(38:56):
be able to share stories and experiences that I've gone
through and like to kind of relive what she's going through.
So I'd love to be able to do that with
other kids.
Speaker 1 (39:06):
I love that that's so special that you are doing that,
like honestly, as so many people I think would be intimidated,
feeling like you know why me, and you know why
did I get this experience? And I feel like your
perspective on it is so refreshing and so impactable and
will be impactable for people who have vulnera will go
(39:26):
through the same thing.
Speaker 2 (39:28):
Did you ever learn sign language? Do you know sign language.
Speaker 4 (39:30):
So I took sign language classes in high school. It
was so hard. I don't know why. I just couldnot
pick it up. But I definitely really want to learn
how to do that. I think it would be amazing
to learn. So that would be a goal of mine
for the next year, is to try to learn sign
And it wasn't easy. I've never how do I phrase this.
(39:53):
It wasn't like I was open about my hearing lost
my whole life, Like I went through a lot of
anxiety processing this, and and it only was I think
it was my senior year of high school. I'll never
forget this. I was open to doing an article with
People magazine about my hearing loss, and so I did
(40:13):
the interview, I did the article, and I was with
all my friends in Nantucket and it was summertime and
the article came out and it was an amazing article.
I was so excited about it, and I felt like
that was my first major public talking about my hearing
lost journey. And I was like, I'm not going to
post about it, like I'm not going to bring more
attention to it, Like I'll just let it slide. And
(40:36):
then I was talking to one of my friends Whitney,
and I was like, should I post about it? I
was so nervous. I was like shaking, and I was like, Okay,
I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it,
like I'm going to like talk about this publicly and
like I need to be proud of this, Like this
is a part of me that I just need to
accept and if I talk about it, then other people
will know they're not alone they can talk about it.
(40:57):
And I remember posting that and I got so much
positive feedback. I was connecting and dming with other people.
Yeah hearing loss. There is a girl on my sorority
and she was like, oh my gosh, I have hearing
loss too, and we didn't even know like that, and
it was just it was great. The more you talk
about it, the more you feel less alone. You're helping others,
and then it feel to your confidence and their confidence
(41:19):
and it's just so special. And so I'm very grateful
to my friend Whitney for like pushing me to post
that article and being able to actually like.
Speaker 3 (41:27):
To hear that and to say yeah, because I think
you know you're hearing loss was like an insecurity of yours.
And I think a lot of people have different insecurities
that they are like scared to talk about, post about,
be open about. At the end of the day, there's
so much more. There's so many more people that are
dealing with those insecurities too, and so it's like almost
like you just free it and then you become a
(41:49):
part of this community and like that's like the biggest
blessing in life exactly, like being in community.
Speaker 4 (41:54):
And this month is actually Disability Pride Months, So it's
all about draining more awareness. Yes, oh the disabilities and
a wide range of disabilities and talking about it and
knowing you're not alone. So this conversation so cool.
Speaker 3 (42:10):
I love that is that?
Speaker 4 (42:12):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (42:13):
I agree? I think it's so true. Like I remember
my girlfriend Haley. I remember her talking about when she
was like coming out about being gay, and there was
just like she was so scared and as soon as
she finally released it, it was like she found this
community of people. And I feel like, you're so right,
Like when you have this insecurity about something that's literally
a part of.
Speaker 4 (42:32):
Who you are and you think nothing to be ashamed of.
Speaker 3 (42:36):
She always as she's always like your eyes are getting watery.
I'm not at all I mean emotional about it.
Speaker 2 (42:41):
I was like, it is. It is a powerful thing.
Speaker 1 (42:44):
I know I can make myself cry about it if
I need to, but I just think it's such a
beautiful thing to take something that that your whole life
you were scared to talk about, and then you finally
do and it's like you you feel free, and you
open up this community of people who were like I've
been waiting for someone like you to share something like
this so that I didn't feel alone.
Speaker 2 (43:04):
It's really powerful, it is. I think it's cool that
you're using your platform for that you and I think
so too.
Speaker 1 (43:10):
Yeah, I'm so grateful that you came on and shared
your story, and I'm so honored that we were your
first person.
Speaker 4 (43:17):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (43:19):
Where can people follow you? Where can people buy your products?
Where can people learn more about the foundation?
Speaker 4 (43:25):
All the things you can buy GGC at GGC bikinis
dot com. You can follow me at gg dot cruse
on Instagram. And the foundation is called the Here with
You Foundation. It's spelled h E A R.
Speaker 2 (43:38):
I like that.
Speaker 3 (43:39):
Yeah, thank you so much, and thank you to sprinkle
all my engagement dust on you. Thank you, You're welcome.
I'm taking powerful stuff.
Speaker 2 (43:50):
We can't wait to twin in our bikinis. I can't
wait to see it, and you're the sweetest. Thank you
so much for Thank you, STO
Scrubbing In with Becca Tilly and Tanya ret An iHeartRadio podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Hello everybody, we are scrubbing in.
Speaker 3 (00:10):
Scrub a dub dub dumb.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
I'm excited because today we have a guest and we
haven't had a guest episode in a minute.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
We have not.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
We've given a lot of advice, yes, and we're taking
a break.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Yeah. Yeah, I turned thirty seven, and I'm like, I
have so much wisdom to give, but not this wee
but not this week though, because we have somebody much wiser,
much wiser.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
She's accomplished more than many do in this amount of time.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Yeah, I mean she launched a brand at sixteen.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Yeah, she is a hearing loss advocate. She has her
own foundation called Here with You. She is an owner
of her own company, GGC Bikinis.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
It has loungewear, active.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
Wear, swimsuits, all the things.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
All the things. And she's only twenty four.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Yeah, she's a business woman.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
She's a businesswoman, and we are so excited to have
her scrubbing in.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
So please welcome Cariso Gig. We are so happy to
have you here.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Well, she came in bringing us gifts.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
I was gonna say she brought us gifts. She brought
us swim matching swimsuits. How do you feel about that?
Speaker 3 (01:15):
So, Gigi, thank you so much for bringing us matching
swimsuits because I love matching. Becca. Yes, she does not
like to match me, but happy too.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
But like, do we need to wear this swimsuit on
the same day together?
Speaker 3 (01:29):
Absolutely?
Speaker 4 (01:30):
Can you be cute?
Speaker 1 (01:31):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (01:31):
So cute.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Yeah, it'll be super cute.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
But I'm really I love it so much, so I
can't wait to wear it. And it's just so thoughtful
and sweet that you brought it. But you shared that
this is your first in studio podcast.
Speaker 4 (01:44):
Yes, thank you for having me. I'm so excited.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
We're so honored. For people who don't know you have
started your company. How old were you when you started it?
Speaker 4 (01:55):
I was sixteen when I started it.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Okay, I have just so many I have so many
uessions and I don't even know what order to go in,
but I guess we'll start there. Okay, So you're sixteen
and you're in high school. Yes, how do you even
have the like where the idea came to you?
Speaker 4 (02:12):
Yes? So I grew up. I have three older brothers,
so I'm always being active and we would travel a lot,
and we would always be in the water doing water sports.
We weren't just like laying out and tanning on the beach,
and so I never had bathing suits that I felt
like we're staying on when I was weakeboarding or tubing
and doing all the fun things in the water. So
(02:34):
I actually started cutting up my old Victoria's Secret bathing suits,
the iconic ones, and literally like pinning them together, safety
pinning them, gluing them, and then I took them to
my mom and I was like, oh my gosh, look
at this, Like this would be so much more supportive
and it's really cute still, because I felt like the
surf suits that were available at that time weren't like fashionable,
(02:59):
they weren't cute, they were more, you know, really surfyeared.
So I ended up putting them all together and then
my mom was like, let's bring this to life. She
had a little girl clothing line before I was born
because she always need of having a girl, and so
she has that experience with design and she's like, let's
make this happen. And it just kind of went from
there and it's grown into an incredible brand that I'm
(03:21):
so proud of.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
That is so crazy.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Well, I'm thinking about myself at sixteen, and she was
not an entrepreneur.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
By oh no, no, no, no no.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
So did it happen?
Speaker 1 (03:36):
I mean, obviously your mom being in the industry and
like having.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
A swimsuit model.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
She was, so she was just she was a model,
and then she had my brothers, and then, as I said,
she always wanted a girl, so she started designing little
girl dresses and did that with her best friend, and
then she found out she was pregnant with me and
stopped doing that and was just so excited to finally
have a girl. She said she would keep going until
she got a girl, and so she got her girl.
(04:02):
And I think she was just so excited when I
started to express my love for fashion too, since she's
always had that, and so I just continued to design
and cut up more and more suits and we started
putting them into actual sketches and it just went from there.
But I would go home after school and focus on that,
and I loved it. I was so passionate about it,
(04:23):
and I think it's so special that I was feeling
as passionate at such a young age, and then now
I can continue it like I'm really grateful for that
because I always worried like was I going to be
like what do I want to do with my life?
Where do I want to go after college? Like what
do I want to study? And it really just naturally
came to me. It's just like childhood passion with fashion.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
And so you did it at sixteen. So you launched
this company And was it just swimsuits at the time.
Speaker 4 (04:50):
Yes, and only black and white. Always said I wanted
it to just be classic, timeless pieces.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
That's so she get sixteen. I would have seen me
at sixteen.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
I'm trying to think I wore one.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
I went on a brand trip to the Bahamas and
I wore one of your whites. Oh my gosh, yeah,
one of the It was like the one piece that
has the cutouts and everyone was like, what is this swimsuit?
I loved the material was so cool, and so when
we were going to have you on, I was like,
she's been doing this for a long time, you guys,
because that.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Was back in I was with Robert twenty sixteen.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Long time.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Yeah, crazy dating men.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
And our fabric is signature to us. It's our silky scuba.
So it's not like heavy, it's really thin and really soft,
and it seriously hugs you in all the right places,
like when I put our surfsuit on, it just like
sucks you in and you feel ready to go, like
you can do anything and not have to worry about
having like any malfunctions in the water.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
I love fucking I love when people have find something
that's missing in the market, which was like cute, cute
swimsuits that you can wear while you're not just laying
out or like frolicking in the ocean, but actually doing
water sports, but still feel like cute and feminine w
all doing that.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
I love that you found that gap.
Speaker 3 (06:00):
That you actually like let your mom Like I feel
like when I was sixteen and my mom wanted to
help me with anything, like I was always like no,
like I don't you know what I mean, Like I
want to do it myself. It's like Lnice that you
actually like listened and like had that guidance.
Speaker 4 (06:11):
And she's still the co founder of the brand. We
still work together every day and it's just such a blessing.
It's so fun. We're best friends.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
That is really cool.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
How what's your age difference between your youngest brother.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
What's the We're.
Speaker 4 (06:23):
Five years okay, and then my oldest brother's ten years,
ten years.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Older than you.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
Yes, okay, So your mom was like it's gonna happen eventually.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
Yes, I just gotta wait. My sister has four boys,
and then she finally had.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
A right and it was kind of the same thing,
like she was always kind of like, I'll probably just
have a basketball team of boys, but then she got
pregnant and it was a girl, and it's like, that's
just so sweetesty, you know, that's so sweet.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
I know.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
So you launched this it's GGC and it was just swimwear,
and when did you break out into other things?
Speaker 4 (06:52):
So we got approached by Carbon thirty eight to do
a collection with them for sportswear, and so we did
a sports for a collection that had our cutouts in
the leggings and in the bras, and it did so
so well for Carbon thirty eight that we actually brought
it in house and then started designing more sportswear for
the brand. So we brought sportswear in house and we
started designing more collections around that, and it did so well.
(07:16):
And then during COVID there's a whole Boom for loungewear,
and so we actually launched our sustainable cashmere collection and
we did like a knitted cut out on the sleeve
and it was still really chic and comfortable, and bringing
in that sustainability was important for us. So my goal
long term for GGC is just to continue to tap
(07:37):
into other categories and really build like a lifestyle brand.
There's so many things I want to do, like what
I would love to just go into, Like, Okay, I
want to dress our GGC girl for vacation from head
to toe, so like tying in other accessories, more cover ups.
I think there's a huge gap in the market for
cover ups just for me personally. I can never find
(07:58):
a cover up that I can wear it to the
beach but then also not feel like uncomfortable wearing it
to lunch right, right, you can dress it up for dinner,
and so we've tapped in that a little bit with
our mesh cover ups and our skirts here and there.
But I really would like to like dive fall into
that because I think there's so much you can do there.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
You're so right that I have the hardest time finding
cover ups that I'm.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
I don't think I have any that I really like,
but like they're like, you're right, they're just for the beach,
you know what I mean, Like they're just for the beach.
And you can't like wear your cover up to lunch.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
Or like walking around a town. Like you want something
that's covering you but still not like too hot, right,
and you can like dress it up with a bag
and shoes and sunglasses and like make it a full outfit.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
Right.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
So that would be my long term goal for the
brand is to be able to do that.
Speaker 1 (08:44):
Have you had a person that wore your swimsuit and
like Tiger, you just saw them wearing it where you
were like, oh my gosh, I can't believe this person's
wearing my brand.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
The first like celebrity major person to wear GIGC with
Julian Huff and I was freaking out. It was on her.
I think it was like her bachelorette or something, And
that was probably like my big moment, like oh my god,
like other people are loving my product, and that really
like gave me the passion to continue with it. Yeah,
(09:13):
thank you putting out there.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
Did you go to the Eras tour premiere the movie premiere?
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Yes, Okay, I met her there? Did I meet?
Speaker 4 (09:23):
We sat down next to each other.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Yeah, yeah, wait at the.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Oh you went to that one too?
Speaker 2 (09:30):
At the g because I thought I saw I was
in the theater.
Speaker 4 (09:33):
Oh my gosh, No, Kay, Taylor was in a.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
Thing and I saw y'all come in and I was.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
Oh, my god, I don't I know her, but she
don't know me. But she said, Hi, there's a lot happening.
I was over stimulated and was.
Speaker 4 (09:46):
Such an incredible night. That was amazing, Like when she
walked in a theater, I was like, we're about to
watch this with her, Like you're in.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
That theater too.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Yeah, did you get to meet her.
Speaker 4 (09:56):
Like in passing, like for two seconds? I mean, I'm
sure she was just so a lot going on, but yeah,
I can't believe we were like sitting behind her while
she's watching and she was like singing and dancing with
her dancers. It was insane.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
Yeah, she was mad that I didn't go to the
one with her, and I was like, I was literally
behind I couldn't say noticeting ball.
Speaker 3 (10:14):
We had plans to see it together, so that was like,
you know, like we were going to see it together.
She like didn't you get like a whole movie theater,
no eight seeds whatever, same difference. Rented a movie theater,
got the seats, and we were going to see it together.
And then she was like I got invited to the
premiere and I was like, we're supposed to see it together.
And she's like, Taylor Swift is going to be like
(10:35):
in my theater.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
Like how do you say no that that?
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Yeah, like I did what had to be done.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
Yeah, she had to go. But we actually met at
did they did that? They like rent out of theater
and invited friends and we ended up sitting next to
each other. One of my girlfriends actually went out with
your brother.
Speaker 4 (10:56):
How I started talking.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
She does not need to be She's one of my
best friends, you know her? Okay, gotcha, got got yeah.
But yeah that's how we met. You were sitting right
next to us and we were all like dancing and
like we had the theme.
Speaker 4 (11:11):
It was so fun. We like just no one like
sat the rest of the movie. Like we were literally
like up and singing dancing the whole time.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
Taylor was doing like backflips and stuff. Yeah, I want
to talk about your foundation here with you. Because Tanya
was asking she goes, I have a question. I think
it's dumb that I want to ask her, And I
was like, what is it? And she was like, I'm
just curious what it's like to Was it not like when.
Speaker 3 (11:35):
Like when you were born, did you could you hear
or could you not hear anything? Or what did you hear?
Speaker 4 (11:40):
Yeah, well I don't remember because I was so young.
I was I was born with it, but I got
my first her of hair and age at three months old,
so I was very grateful that I got that so
soon after I was diagnosed. So many kids, so everyone
(12:00):
has to get screened at birth, every maybe, and there's
so much follow up that has to be done. You
have to get tested, you have to get fitted for
ear molds, and then you get your hearnaes and a
lot of children don't have that follow up, so they
are actually missing that super important developmental time where they're
hearing different sounds and then you start to talk and
(12:20):
you're hearing what your parents are saying. You're picking that up,
and a lot of kids miss that. So part of
what we're doing at the Foundation is really making sure
that the kids that are diagnosed are getting those resources
and their parents are getting those resources as soon as
possible so that they can get speech therapy and get
hearing aides and they don't miss that important time frame.
(12:41):
So I was very grateful and blessed that I got
here in aides at three months.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
So at three months you have a hearing aid put
in your ear, yes, but how did you How did
your parents know that, like something was off.
Speaker 4 (12:54):
Because you have to get tested at birth.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Oh, so the doctors were just like.
Speaker 4 (12:58):
I didn't pass my hearing tests as a baby, and
then I got my hair in aids and I went
through years of speech therapy all the way up until
I want to say, like eighth grade. And right before
I went into high school, this device called the lyric
Bonac Haronade came out and it sits. So I used
to have these big, chunky heronades when I was growing up,
(13:20):
which was so hard in school because other kids are
coming up like what's in your ear and wanting to
try it or like poke it and try it. That
was like like can I try it on? And so
that was really tough. And going into high school, I
feel like that's just a very anxious time in general.
It's like a whole new chapter you're going into a
big school. I went to high school. I didn't know anyone,
(13:44):
And so these little devices, the lyric sits right on
your ear drum, so it's all the way in my ear.
You can't see it from the outside. You wouldn't know
I'm wearing a hare inaid right now. And so I
got that, and I didn't even realize. I think because
I was born not being able to hear well, I
didn't even realize how much I was missing. So when
(14:06):
I got the lyric, I heard my voice clearly for
the first time. I heard rain. I walked outside the
hospital and I heard the waterfall, and I didn't even
really see I was there when I walked into the
hospital at first to get this put in. So there
were so many sounds that I didn't even know I
was missing, and I'm still discovering new sounds. It's crazy.
(14:26):
Just I'll be like, oh my god, I heard an owl.
I hear my dogs on the hardwood floor of their
claws so much, and so I don't think I ever
it was such a gift that I got. I don't
like to even call it hearing loss because I never
feel like I really lost it. In the first place.
It's something. It was a gift that I gained later
in life. I just wasn't born with it.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
That is so wild. So is it like again part
of my ignorance. Is it surgery that's put in there
or is it just like somebody just goes in while
you're awake.
Speaker 4 (14:57):
I was awake. A doctor has to put it in
because it sits so close to your ear drum. It's
really scary. If it hits, it's not right. You have
to sit, you get measured before, and it gets to
put in like a super specific place. So doctor puts
it in. But I can take it out on my own.
I just can't put it in. So if I want
(15:17):
to go swimming, they're not waterproof, I can take them out,
but I can't. I have to go to the doctor
to get it put back in.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
So if you go swimming, you have to take that out,
and then you just can't hear.
Speaker 4 (15:27):
I can hear very very if you're like right in
front of me and looking at me, I can hear you.
But if you turn your back or you walk away
from me, then it's very difficult for me.
Speaker 3 (15:38):
But I imagine like you probably don't want to swim that much, right,
because you just don't want to go to the doctor
or to get it put back in.
Speaker 4 (15:44):
Well. I actually love swimming because I think it's a
nice way for me to just take a break. It's
almost like overstimulating to have my hairnads, and sometimes in
loud environments, it's so much noise and it's a lot
for my brain to process and to be like really
like translating everything I'm hearing. So I like to take
them out and go in the water. It feels so
(16:05):
good to get water in my ears because I don't
feel that feeling often and to just escape from reality
for a little bit, give my mind a break.
Speaker 5 (16:13):
Yeah, that's so crazy.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
So from birth basically until high school, everything was just
almost like muted sounds.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
Is that how you would describe it.
Speaker 4 (16:39):
Yes, I would say it's very like muted, and I
couldn't I can't hear a lot of like sh sounds.
And again, like if teachers would turn their back in
class and right on a board, it would be almost
impossible for me to hear them. I relied on lip
reading a lot growing up, and so especially in college,
even with the lyric being like huge classrooms and if
(17:01):
you have a teacher that's not facing you. It's really difficult.
So high school, going through school was tough with a
hearing loss, and I really just want to make sure
that I can provide resources to kids now and even
children in high school and college. You have to speak
up for yourself, and you have to advocate for yourself
and sit your teachers down and say, hey, this is
(17:22):
what I need. I have hearing loss. I have this disability.
I think it's so important to teach kids at a
young age to learn how to do that, because if
I didn't learn how to advocate for myself, I would
definitely not be where I am today.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
Right, Like did you have to like sit in the
front of class, Like did you have to sit in
the front seat.
Speaker 4 (17:37):
Yes, and have like a note taker, have captions When
we were on zoom during COVID, I was still in
college and so I needed captions on zoom. I just
think it's so important to speak up for what you
need because hearing loss is sometimes an invisible disability, Like
you don't look at someone and know they have hearing loss,
so you're not like being aware that they may need
(18:00):
to extra support, and so you have to just advocate
and speak up for yourself, and it can be really
scary to do that, especially at a young age and
with teachers. But I was so grateful that I had
my family and my friends around me that really like
pushed me and taught me how to do that. And
so with the foundation, I want to bring more people
(18:21):
together that are part of the deaf and heart of
hearing community so we can all you don't feel so
alone and isolated. Other people are going through this and
you can share stories and hear what helped someone else.
And I think it's so important to have that sense
of community.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Yeah, I feel like, have you met Daisy from The Bachelor?
Speaker 4 (18:38):
We haven't we Actually, yes we did. We met as
stage coach. We ran into each other at stage coach.
But we've talked here and there and messaged to each other.
And I love her. She's such an inspiration. She's amazing.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
Yeah, she's amazing.
Speaker 1 (18:49):
And it's it was so eye opening during her season
of seeing how her talking about it and then seeing
the way people responded to it. Who how so many
people have experienced either during laws are like, you know,
hard of hearing whatever it was, and how impactful it
is to have someone with a platform talk about it.
So I think that's so important what you're doing and
giving people the chance to have the experience of what
(19:13):
you experienced in high school. Obviously at three months you
you got assistance hearing, but having such a change when
going into such a vulnerable time, So that's really cool. Yeah,
what are your goals like with the with the foundation,
like you what are the resources and like how young
does it start? And like does it feel like people
(19:35):
don't have access to it because of cost or in short,
like does entrance cover what is it that keeps people
from doing that?
Speaker 4 (19:43):
So we definitely are targeting targeting the lower income communities
because they don't have the access and the resources they
need and yeah it's expensive to have here and need,
but also just even getting the referral of where do
I even go? Like these families don't even know what
the next step is. Is your baby is given this
test at birth and say they don't pass it. There's
(20:04):
not a lot of resources that you're given out a
hospital for where you should go next. And every child
is different. There's different levels of hearing loss and so
you need to go to the right person for the
right support. So we really want to connect with different
organizations that have already started to tap into those families
(20:24):
and then give them the referrals they need. I'm working
on the foundation with my audiologists, and so she has
incredible resources, she's able to test kids. We're actually partnering
with Parlos Ninos, which is I don't know, have you
guys heard of Carlos. They're amazing, and we're going to
their daycare and we are doing free hearing screenings for
(20:46):
the parents and the kids there. And that's just the
first step in us just tapping into that community and
giving them the opportunity to get a hearing tests that's
for free, and they don't need to figure out a
way to get transportation to the doctor's office or where
do they even go to get the tests, and we're
coming to them. So I'm really excited about that, and
(21:08):
there's just many more things that we can do as
foundations similar to that. I actually had a zoom on
Friday with an organization called No Limits and they're incredible.
I could have talked to them for hours. But they
bring kids in that don't have a lot of the
resources they need, and they give them speech therapy for free,
and there's this six year old girl, and she hadn't
(21:31):
been able to have speech therapy, and she hadn't been
able to have the access to hear needs, and so
she hasn't spoken yet. And she went through a few
months of therapy with them and then she was able
to say, Hi, my name is and my dream job is,
and this is what I want to be when I
grow up, and I can do it. That's their hole
motto is, I can do it. And so now we're
(21:53):
looking to partner with them and making sure that we
can refer children to them, that we meet up Parlos NEO.
So again it goes back to that sense of community
and working together. There's so many great organizations out there,
but everyone's doing things separate, and we need to bring
them all together and bring together those family and children
(22:13):
so that they know they're not alone. I didn't really
have I didn't know anyone growing up that had hearing loss.
So I felt so alone. I didn't have anyone I
could talk to that understood it.
Speaker 3 (22:22):
I feel okay. So you're like, you know you're older,
you're confident, like you know you are, you are who
you are, But like when you were younger and you
were going through this was it like did you get
made fun of a lot?
Speaker 4 (22:32):
Like?
Speaker 3 (22:32):
Do you have like trauma from growing up?
Speaker 4 (22:35):
I think high school, even though I had the lyric,
was probably honestly the hardest four years because of my
teachers not being understanding. And it ended up that my
dad had to sit them down and say you wouldn't
take someone in a wheelchair take the stairs. And I
think that like really hit them again because it's an
(22:56):
invisible disability. They weren't seeing how much I was struggling
sitting in class and couldn't hear them that I needed
the extra support. Something just wasn't clicking for them. And
so another thing that I would like to do with
here with you is to go and talk to schools
and to sit down with a teachers and to give
presentations and say, okay, this is what you need to
do if you have someone in your class who is
(23:17):
deaf or hard of hearing.
Speaker 3 (23:17):
But would you like on your first day a school,
would you tell your teachers like I'm hard of hearing, yeah,
and then they would just do nothing about it, is which.
Speaker 4 (23:24):
I just I don't think anyone what cares them? Yeah,
they don't know what to do. And so that again
goes back to you have to speak up for yourself
and say this is what I need.
Speaker 3 (23:35):
Yeah, but it's like again at that.
Speaker 4 (23:37):
Age, it's so hard. It's so intimidated to a teacher. Yeah, exactly,
ask go to the bathroom, you know.
Speaker 1 (23:45):
Yeah, literally, I would be so scared to raise my
hand to go the bathroom. I imagine having to say like, hey, I.
Speaker 2 (23:50):
Can't hear hard, can you? You know? Turn around?
Speaker 4 (23:54):
Definitely. So there's just so many things I want to
do and I am doing with the Foundation, where really
just sitting down with families and organizations and we're asking
them what do you want from us? I think it's
important to hear from the community and where the gaps
are missing and how we can provide support in those areas.
And then the Foundation isn't just for people who are
(24:15):
deaf or hard of hearing. It's also to bring more
awareness to hearing loss in general. And so even me
being here today and speaking about it and putting out
resources on how you can protect your hearing. All of
us nowadays we're going to super loud concerts, we're going
to football games or where we do that air pods
that are like blasting music yes, but it's damaging your hearing.
(24:39):
Even if you don't have a hearing you go to.
Speaker 3 (24:40):
A concert, is it bad? Is it bad for you
with your.
Speaker 4 (24:44):
So my lyrics actually act as ear plugs and they'll
automatically shut off when the noise level is too dangerous.
And it's so important for people even without hearing loss,
to know, Okay, you need to wear ear plugs. You
need to protect your hearing because you can damage your
he And there's so many like different fun ear plug
companies now that make them like really cool looking, like
(25:06):
you don't have to wear anything that's really chunky and
other people can see. But it's so important to protect
your hearing and not last music in your ears or
go to these big venues. There's actually an app I've
been using recently where you can test the noise level
and it will tell you if it's too loud. And
I was at a restaurant with my parents on vacation
(25:27):
and it was so loud in this restaurant and my
parents couldn't hear and I was like, hold on, let
me take it out and see, and it was a
dangerous level. So we actually ended up leaving because I
was my brain was going crazy. It was overwhelming for me,
and then they couldn't hear, and I want to protect
their hearing. So it's little things like that that you
can do.
Speaker 2 (25:46):
Oh, you don't even think about that at a restaurant.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
No, And I think, honestly, hearing is something that we
take for granted. Yeah, like I really do you know,
like you just don't. You don't think about it, Yeah,
like you don't think about protecting it, Like it's not
something that, like, you know, I think come out on
a daily basis.
Speaker 1 (26:02):
I want to talk about your parents because I'm so
fascinated by well, I'm so impressed by you because you
come from a known family and your dad's very a
very well known businessman, and yet you're taking something that's
been you know, given to you and you're using it
for so much good and like doing so much and
starting your own business at sixteen and starting a foundation
(26:25):
that's like helping people in the community is so impressive
to me. But I have always been curious about having
a parent or family member in politics, and I'm curious
what that's been like for you, because it's like, obviously
your dad is a successful businessman, he has these beautiful
malls and businesses. But what was it like for you
when he entered the political world for your family and
(26:47):
just you know, it's like, what kind of conversations were
you having with people?
Speaker 4 (26:52):
I mean, I think it was one of those things
where my brothers and I were all so close and
we were like, we're going to rally behind what i've
my dad wants to, We're going to support him. We're
just that tight knit family and we're all in this together.
It wasn't like he came to us and I was like,
this is what I'm doing. He actually sat us down
and he was like, is this okay? Are you guys
(27:13):
on board? As a family, We're going to do this.
And it was, honestly like such a special time to
be campaigning and going around la I learned so much
about our city just going into different areas and neighborhoods
and meeting different communities and people, and it was so
eye opening and inspiring. It was such a special time
(27:33):
in it. Even I never thought our family could become closer,
but we all became closer because it was we went
through it together. And obviously there were tough days and
tough challenges. It's not an easy time when you were
reading the comments on Instagram, like I had to be like, Okay,
you can't dive into that, you can't read that. And
I feel like I've never gone through that before where
(27:55):
I publicly eve been seeing my dad be attacked, and
so that was really tough. But again, it was us
all leaning on each other and supporting each other. And
you know who you are, you know you your family is,
I know who my dad is, and you just have
to block that out and stay true to yourself and
stick up for what you believe in. So it was
such an incredible experience and I'm so grateful that I
(28:18):
was able to live through something like that.
Speaker 3 (28:20):
Yeah, does it make you like, I mean, I follow
you on Instagram and I feel like your Instagram's pretty,
Like what's the word I'm looking for? PG? Like it's very,
you know what I mean? Like it's very? But do
you ever like second guest things sometimes?
Speaker 4 (28:34):
Like of course, yeah, I think in today's world, a
lot of people, right you never you're never going to
please everyone though, and especially on the campaign trail, you know,
I always I was wanting to post about my dad
and wanting to post about my family and what we're
doing and where we're going today and what we believe
in and we're standing up for in politics. But you
(28:55):
can't please everyone in politics. Everyone has their own views
and so that was always tricky. But it just goes
back to being yourself and staying true to who you
are in business, in every day of life, and with GGC,
I always go back to that. I think it's so
important to just cancel out the outside noise and just
(29:16):
be who you are.
Speaker 1 (29:34):
Were there ever times where you were like seeing stuff
or or there was something that he said or did
where you all were like you were like having conversations
with him, like or where you disagreed or there was that,
you know, conflict, because I feel like if my dad
ran for anything, we'd be having some conversations.
Speaker 4 (29:52):
I think we definitely have fun family dinner conversations, but
it's all like healthy and I think.
Speaker 3 (29:59):
It's great that great place.
Speaker 4 (30:01):
Each one of my brothers and I like we all
have different views on different opinions, Like it's not like
we're always gonna agree exactly on the same thing, and
I think that was what made it so special. It's like, Okay,
let me challenge you on this. How do you feel
about this, And we had amazing conversations, but it was
never like we butt heads on anything. It's just like
healthy debates that would happen at the dinner table.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
We need more healthy debates.
Speaker 3 (30:24):
Yeah, honestly, that's such a refreshing place to be at
because I think that politics can like really tear into families.
You know, it's like very polarizing. So the fact that
you can have like healthy debates is like a great
place to be.
Speaker 4 (30:37):
And I think it also we all love the city
so much. We all grew up in La and we
have so many memories in La, and we see it
going in a direction that was really breaking our hearts,
and so we just were so passionate about getting La
back to a safe place where you can feel comfortable
as a woman walking down the street and not be
(30:58):
worried about anything. And so I think that really drove us.
It wasn't oh, I'm going to run and take this
political position like there was a lot of heart behind it.
It wasn't something that was just so I'm getting into politics.
He really saw a need and wanted to help La.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
Did it give you any desire to go into politics.
Speaker 4 (31:22):
I will always support him, and I will always if
he decides to run for anything again or go into politics,
I'll always be there. And I have learned so much
through the whole journey and the process of all of it.
But I don't think I would have the strength to
go through it myself. It's really tough. It's a lot,
(31:45):
and it can be very draining. And I think again,
it was the love for the city we grew up
in that made it a passionate experience.
Speaker 1 (31:55):
Yeah, honestly, I mean that knowing where it comes from
and like the the passion and heart behind it, and
like what y'all wanted for LA.
Speaker 4 (32:04):
But never say never. I don't know. We'll see what
happens in the future.
Speaker 3 (32:08):
I'll never say never. Wow, I could see you like
in politics really yeah, but we'll see you're like starting
your own business, you know what I mean? Like I
feel like you have it in you.
Speaker 4 (32:24):
Yeah. I mean, it was such a fun ride. It
was it was amazing. It was a special night. Election
night was a really special night. But I don't know
if I could stand up there and do all the
things he did. I admire him for that.
Speaker 1 (32:38):
Yeah, I could never ever, I like say one thing
on the podcast, and I'm like, was that rude?
Speaker 2 (32:44):
You guys?
Speaker 3 (32:45):
You know, it's very it's crazy, and I do I like,
I do admire. I admire a lot that you know
that you guys can stand up and say and and
and be and be together and be like a united front.
I think that's really special.
Speaker 2 (32:58):
Are you dating?
Speaker 4 (32:59):
Yeah? I have a boyfriend.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
You've had a boyfriend for a while, right.
Speaker 4 (33:02):
Yes, we've been dating for over five years now.
Speaker 3 (33:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (33:05):
Wow?
Speaker 3 (33:06):
How did you meet him?
Speaker 4 (33:07):
At USC? He texted me out of nowhere. I didn't
even know who he was. And he sent me a
text and he was like, I know this is far
out of left field, but would you go to invite
with me? And I like, immediately I was in my
doring room. I'll never forget this, right.
Speaker 3 (33:24):
What's invite?
Speaker 4 (33:25):
Invite is when the fraternities have like a night out
and they usually invite a girl from a sorority.
Speaker 3 (33:33):
And wait, wait, wait what fraternity? What's sorority?
Speaker 4 (33:36):
Okay, So he was in Sikhai and I was in Kappa.
I had just gotten into Kappa. It was my freshman year.
I probably looked like I think it was like two
weeks after I got into Kappa. And I guess it
was his last invite. So he was a senior and
I was a freshman, and all his friends were like, oh,
like looking at the photo of like the new Kapa girls, like,
let's take the new girls. So he reached out to me,
(33:59):
and I was in my dorm room with a few
of my best friends and we were just immediately like
looking him up, who is he, figuring everything about him,
and he was super cute. So I was like, yeah,
I'll go to invite with you. I was so nervous though,
because I didn't know him, I didn't know any of
his friends. I'm a freshman going to senior invite with
all these seniors. It was intimidating, but we honestly just
(34:22):
hit it off that night and ever since we've been together.
Speaker 2 (34:24):
Wow, amazing. Yeah, is he the one?
Speaker 3 (34:28):
Yes, Okay, that's exciting.
Speaker 4 (34:32):
I'm just waiting.
Speaker 1 (34:34):
I was like, I'm not gonna ask, but maybe she'll
say I'm just waiting.
Speaker 2 (34:39):
Donia also was just waiting.
Speaker 3 (34:40):
I was just waiting for a long time. It happened recently, right, Yeah,
it's September of last year, so.
Speaker 4 (34:46):
Like gone by really fast. I just saw you posting
about it.
Speaker 3 (34:50):
I know honestly, but I was waiting for like two years.
Speaker 1 (34:54):
Do you feel like every trip or special event that
y'all have that you're like, yes, gotta wardrobe is white
right now?
Speaker 2 (35:02):
You're literally me that is so funny.
Speaker 3 (35:05):
Always I was like manifesting it, and I was just
like always wearing white. Do you know if he's asked
your parents for.
Speaker 4 (35:10):
They don't know, and I've stopped asking, like I don't
want to know anything. Like when it happens, it happens,
it will be the perfect right moment. So I'm just
sitting here and like letting it all unfold. My brother's
getting married in two weeks actually, so I think maybe
after moment, which is so respectful of Yeah, is.
Speaker 2 (35:31):
That like non negotiable that he asked your parents for permission?
Of course?
Speaker 4 (35:35):
Right? Like yeah, my parents, Like I don't want him
to go to just my dad. I think it's my mom.
I'm so close to my mind. I think he should
set the book down, ye, Like it's good for the
guys to be put in that situation for.
Speaker 3 (35:50):
Is I knew when he asked my parents.
Speaker 4 (35:54):
My mom she just no, she like told you or
she just couldn't lie to you. If you asked her,
she told me, okay.
Speaker 2 (36:01):
Yeah, she didn't even have to be prompted, came right out.
Speaker 3 (36:05):
There's no prime. So I was like at that point,
I was like, oh man. And it was months after that,
so it's good that you don't know, because that really
kept me on my toe.
Speaker 4 (36:15):
I want to be so surprised, like I want to
be completely caught off guard. Obviously. I want to be
like dressed, and you'll be dressed in your nails put together,
nails are going to be done for their for a while.
You're not always missing an appointment. Yeah, definitely, everything's white
suit or exact sign.
Speaker 3 (36:35):
You know that works out though, because like after you
get engaged and you're just like always gonna wear white,
and then like in your wedding season, you're just like.
Speaker 1 (36:41):
Yeah, honestly, that's perfect. You could design a like an
engagement capsule collection.
Speaker 4 (36:47):
We actually have so many brides that reach out to
us asking for a white suits, like we've done bride
all edits on Instagram. We get pressed around bride bachelorette
like wear this suit. Like We've had so many bachelor parties.
I'm being tagged in on Instagram and I love it
it's so fun to see. We even had this one
(37:07):
girl did she wore a white suit and then she
had all of the girls behind her wear like this
light pink that we did and it was just so cute.
I love seeing people like enjoying our suits, especially during
such a special time.
Speaker 3 (37:19):
Yeah, that is really fun.
Speaker 1 (37:21):
Yeah, Okay, you have a year in advance. They're like,
you can do whatever you want this next year with
the foundation, with the company starting something new.
Speaker 2 (37:30):
What does the next year look like with no woman?
Speaker 4 (37:32):
Gosh, that's a big question. I would say. In terms
of GGC, just continuing to grow it and like I said,
tapping into those other categories. I would love to just
come out with like a big collection of cover ups.
And I just want to continue expanding the brand and
(37:54):
bringing more awareness to it and doing more activations around it.
We're planning a workout class our fall collection that launches soon,
which I'm really excited about. So just continuing to grow GGC.
In terms of the foundation, I think really just partnering
(38:14):
with more organizations like I mentioned, and my dream would
just to be able to see what we're doing actually
come to life. Like I would love to see like
one kid that I meet and we do screening with them,
and then I'd love to see like the progress of
them Okay, getting their here and it's a progress, and
them going to speak to therapy and learning how to
(38:34):
say words. Just because we do things here and there,
but I don't get to see the full journey of
other children, and so I think it would be so
special to see the full journey of the kids that
we've been meeting with. I've been mentoring this young girl
and she's literally reminded me of myself when I was
She's going to eighth grade, and it's so fun to
(38:56):
be able to share stories and experiences that I've gone
through and like to kind of relive what she's going through.
So I'd love to be able to do that with
other kids.
Speaker 1 (39:06):
I love that that's so special that you are doing that,
like honestly, as so many people I think would be intimidated,
feeling like you know why me, and you know why
did I get this experience? And I feel like your
perspective on it is so refreshing and so impactable and
will be impactable for people who have vulnera will go
(39:26):
through the same thing.
Speaker 2 (39:28):
Did you ever learn sign language? Do you know sign language.
Speaker 4 (39:30):
So I took sign language classes in high school. It
was so hard. I don't know why. I just couldnot
pick it up. But I definitely really want to learn
how to do that. I think it would be amazing
to learn. So that would be a goal of mine
for the next year, is to try to learn sign
And it wasn't easy. I've never how do I phrase this.
(39:53):
It wasn't like I was open about my hearing lost
my whole life, Like I went through a lot of
anxiety processing this, and and it only was I think
it was my senior year of high school. I'll never
forget this. I was open to doing an article with
People magazine about my hearing loss, and so I did
(40:13):
the interview, I did the article, and I was with
all my friends in Nantucket and it was summertime and
the article came out and it was an amazing article.
I was so excited about it, and I felt like
that was my first major public talking about my hearing
lost journey. And I was like, I'm not going to
post about it, like I'm not going to bring more
attention to it, Like I'll just let it slide. And
(40:36):
then I was talking to one of my friends Whitney,
and I was like, should I post about it? I
was so nervous. I was like shaking, and I was like, Okay,
I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it,
like I'm going to like talk about this publicly and
like I need to be proud of this, Like this
is a part of me that I just need to
accept and if I talk about it, then other people
will know they're not alone they can talk about it.
(40:57):
And I remember posting that and I got so much
positive feedback. I was connecting and dming with other people.
Yeah hearing loss. There is a girl on my sorority
and she was like, oh my gosh, I have hearing
loss too, and we didn't even know like that, and
it was just it was great. The more you talk
about it, the more you feel less alone. You're helping others,
and then it feel to your confidence and their confidence
(41:19):
and it's just so special. And so I'm very grateful
to my friend Whitney for like pushing me to post
that article and being able to actually like.
Speaker 3 (41:27):
To hear that and to say yeah, because I think
you know you're hearing loss was like an insecurity of yours.
And I think a lot of people have different insecurities
that they are like scared to talk about, post about,
be open about. At the end of the day, there's
so much more. There's so many more people that are
dealing with those insecurities too, and so it's like almost
like you just free it and then you become a
(41:49):
part of this community and like that's like the biggest
blessing in life exactly, like being in community.
Speaker 4 (41:54):
And this month is actually Disability Pride Months, So it's
all about draining more awareness. Yes, oh the disabilities and
a wide range of disabilities and talking about it and
knowing you're not alone. So this conversation so cool.
Speaker 3 (42:10):
I love that is that?
Speaker 4 (42:12):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (42:13):
I agree? I think it's so true. Like I remember
my girlfriend Haley. I remember her talking about when she
was like coming out about being gay, and there was
just like she was so scared and as soon as
she finally released it, it was like she found this
community of people. And I feel like, you're so right,
Like when you have this insecurity about something that's literally
a part of.
Speaker 4 (42:32):
Who you are and you think nothing to be ashamed of.
Speaker 3 (42:36):
She always as she's always like your eyes are getting watery.
I'm not at all I mean emotional about it.
Speaker 2 (42:41):
I was like, it is. It is a powerful thing.
Speaker 1 (42:44):
I know I can make myself cry about it if
I need to, but I just think it's such a
beautiful thing to take something that that your whole life
you were scared to talk about, and then you finally
do and it's like you you feel free, and you
open up this community of people who were like I've
been waiting for someone like you to share something like
this so that I didn't feel alone.
Speaker 2 (43:04):
It's really powerful, it is. I think it's cool that
you're using your platform for that you and I think
so too.
Speaker 1 (43:10):
Yeah, I'm so grateful that you came on and shared
your story, and I'm so honored that we were your
first person.
Speaker 4 (43:17):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (43:19):
Where can people follow you? Where can people buy your products?
Where can people learn more about the foundation?
Speaker 4 (43:25):
All the things you can buy GGC at GGC bikinis
dot com. You can follow me at gg dot cruse
on Instagram. And the foundation is called the Here with
You Foundation. It's spelled h E A R.
Speaker 2 (43:38):
I like that.
Speaker 3 (43:39):
Yeah, thank you so much, and thank you to sprinkle
all my engagement dust on you. Thank you, You're welcome.
I'm taking powerful stuff.
Speaker 2 (43:50):
We can't wait to twin in our bikinis. I can't
wait to see it, and you're the sweetest. Thank you
so much for Thank you, STO
Hosts And Creators
Tanya Rad
Rebecca Tilley
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