Meet Goli Young

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Goli Young a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Goli, thank you so much for agreeing to open up about a sensitive and personal topic like being fired or laid-off. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in layoffs recently and so your insight and experience with overcoming being let go is relevant to so many in the community.

When I was 23, I got laid off from my first real job. I was living on my own in New York City, and I was terrified of what was to come. Not only that, but the job I got laid off from was toxic and draining, and had sucked all of the confidence I had in my work out of me. I remember sitting on a park bench in Soho on the phone to my older brother, seeking advice in how to tell my parents. I walked all the way home to Brooklyn that day. In the months to come, in between job applications and interviews, I rekindled the love of working with my hands. I started doing small embroideries in my tiny apartment, and participating in workshops and freelancing for other designers. I remembered why it was that I loved to create. I feel the most in touch with myself when I’m making things. I ended up deciding that I needed another adventure; that I wasn’t done and wasn’t settling for whatever next job rolled my way. I picked up and moved across the world to Melbourne, Australia to pursue a Masters in Business and afterwards, returned to Chicago to start my own bridal line, Goli June.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

In 2019, I founded my brand following a BFA in Fashion Design, experience working with prominent bridal labels, and an MBA from RMIT University in Australia. Driven by my vision, I returned to my hometown of Chicago, leveraging my network to not only establish my business but to contribute to the city’s vibrant, growing fashion scene. My goal was to build a brand that would bring beautiful, inclusive bridal attire to a diverse audience while creating meaningful employment for fashion professionals.

Goli June is a modern, romantic, and eclectic bridal brand that aims to challenge outdated norms through ethical practices and bold, unconventional designs. We offer gowns, separates, suits, jumpsuits, and accessories tailored for the new-age bride. Today’s brides deserve brands that prioritize representation and inclusivity, and I’m dedicated to establishing my business as a defining presence in the luxury bridal market.

Much of my inspiration comes from my Persian heritage, and as a first-generation Iranian-American, my work ethic is deeply rooted in my background. The name Goli June carries special significance, as “joon” is a Farsi term of endearment, meaning “dear.” By naming my company Goli June, I hope to create a sense of warm familiarity, a brand experience that feels like a connection among friends.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Willingness to learn: you truly don’t know what you don’t know when you have a small business, and you will need an openness and willingness to learn, either for yourself or from those who know more than you so you can grow as a business owner,.

Time management: understanding how to time block and manage responsibilities is imperative when you’re starting a business with deadlines and specific deliverables. Find a project management software that works for you (I use Notion for this) and use it to the best of your ability!

Understanding your strengths: this took me a long time to figure out! I thought I could save by doing everything myself, but instead I ended up spreading myself too thin and not investing in the areas of the business that really needed me. After I diversified these tasks, such as hiring a seamstress to sew a lot of my pieces, I felt like my time and mind was opened up to focus on the areas of my business that I was strongest in, like research and development.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

I have really wonderful, selfless parents who worked tirelessly to provide an amazing life for my brother and myself. My parents are Iranian immigrants, my mom is a retired pediatrician and my dad was a luxury home developer. They did so much for me throughout childhood and into my young adult life, but I think what they did that was the most impactful was allowing me the freedom to chase my dreams.

I decided that I wanted to be in fashion early on in my high school career, and my parents were very fearful and disapproving of this choice. As highly-educated immigrants, there was no one else from our background that they could see who was successful in this line of work and it was not in their list of stable, successful careers (doctor, lawyer, engineer). I think the fact that my parents overcame this fear for their child’s future and invested in my interest was the most impactful choice they made for me, and their support lead me to where I am today.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Mari Trancoso
Danielle Simone
The Love Club
Victoria Chuk

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