Meet Jasmine Rennie

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

Jasmine, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

In my early 20s, I was starting my career in the fashion industry, traveling all over the world and bouncing from one fashion week party to another. At the time, I used to dress pretty revealingly and would lead with my sexuality, hoping to get attention from the men around me. Deep down, I desired to be loved and to fill a deep void in my heart, but the type of attention I was getting wasn’t favorable, and it left me feeling emptier than before.

Eventually, I became exhausted by this lifestyle and by suffering the consequences of my choices, and around the same time, I felt God tugging on my heart, trying to get my attention. I began to go to church, read God’s word, and eventually surrendered my life to Him, accepting Him as my Lord and Savior. I understood that only God could fill the deep longing of my heart to be seen, known, and loved.

Soon after, I felt God convicting me about the way I was dressing, showing me that my value wasn’t rooted in my ability to draw attention to myself but in my identity in Him. I had this newfound confidence that led me to want to honor God with the way I was dressed and also honor myself.

Not long after this, I began to get inspired to pursue a dream I had always had of starting my own clothing line. Now, with this desire to dress more modestly, I started to notice a gap in the market for modest clothing that was forward and not super restrictive. So I began creating a concept for a clothing line that would do just that, and soon after, I launched my brand, Gracemade — an ethically made clothing line that created beautiful pieces for women like me who desired to dress more modestly. I would go on to run this company for over 7 years, landing on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and being stocked at stores like Macy’s and Madewell — so it was an incredible journey, to say the least. But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. And in 2024, we closed our doors.

Transitioning out of my clothing company, I had this idea that creating with purpose didn’t have to end with Gracemade — that I could give others the same opportunity to share their values through the things they create. So, I created a platform called Make Good Fashion, which teaches emerging and aspiring fashion entrepreneurs how to start, launch, and grow purpose-driven fashion brands. Through our podcast, I tell stories of my own journey and the journeys of others that provide practical insights for our listeners. Through our courses, I teach the exact steps I took to build my brand to help brands avoid costly mistakes and focus on making impact. I’m so grateful that my purpose didn’t end with my brand or really change at all — the vehicle that I present it with may look different, but at the core, it’s the same: to glorify God with the gifts He’s given me. I’m encouraged that God doesn’t waste any part of our story; He redeems it and uses it to shape our future.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

As I mentioned, after running Gracemade, I transitioned into helping others build purpose-driven fashion brands through Make Good Fashion. I’m passionate about mentoring emerging entrepreneurs and teaching them how to launch and grow brands that make a positive impact.

One of the core offerings I’m most proud of is our Fashion Wholesale Masterclass. This course teaches entrepreneurs how to get their brands into retail stores—a crucial step to scaling and expanding your reach. Retail placement is an incredible opportunity to get your brand mission in front of a wider audience, and yet many entrepreneurs overlook it or don’t know how to approach it. Our masterclass fills that gap, giving them the tools to successfully navigate wholesale partnerships and grow their businesses.

In addition to my work with Make Good Fashion, I’ve recently taken on a new role as Manager of Consumer Products for the Downtown Women’s Center’s Social Enterprise, which provides job opportunities for women transitioning out of homelessness. I’m honored to be part of an organization that is dedicated to providing support and dignity to these women by empowering them to build new, independent lives. This role aligns with my passion for creating opportunities that not only elevate businesses but also do good.

Whether through Make Good Fashion or my work with the Downtown Women’s Center, I’m focused on helping others create businesses that make a meaningful impact in the world.

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?

Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful on my journey are resilience, having a strong “why”, and being a constant learner. Here’s why:

A Strong “Why”: Without a clear and passionate reason for what you’re doing, there will be moments when you’ll want to quit. Building a business is hard work, and there will be days you feel like throwing in the towel. But if you’re truly anchored by your “why,” that will keep you grounded and motivated, even when the going gets tough.

Resilience: Things will go wrong. A lot. I would argue that entrepreneurship is more about problem-solving than anything else. You will face obstacles, but if you can bounce back and keep pushing forward, you’ll grow stronger with every challenge you overcome.

Being a Constant Learner: The industry is always changing. If you’re not actively seeking knowledge and staying on top of trends, tools, and best practices, you’ll get left behind. Curiosity and a commitment to learning are vital to staying relevant and evolving as an entrepreneur.

My advice for those early in their journey is to embrace these principles wholeheartedly. Make sure you’re passionate about what you’re doing and not just chasing financial gain. Be ready to face the tough moments, and don’t shy away from them. Also, always seek opportunities to learn—whether it’s listening to podcasts, watching YouTube videos, or taking a course. Growth comes from constant curiosity and the willingness to improve.

If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?

If I knew I only had a decade of life left, I would spend that time doing the things I truly love—creating a life full of peace, joy, and meaning, without being consumed by work. This is one of the reasons I closed my business, Gracemade—not because I thought I had only a decade left, but because I wanted to live in a way that aligned with those values. Running a fashion company can be all-consuming, and while I loved the work I did, I yearned for a slower pace of life, where I could work fewer hours and spend more time enjoying the things that bring me joy outside of work. I’m at a point in my life where I no longer desire to run an empire; instead, I prefer to do meaningful work on my own terms, while pursuing a life filled with love, beauty, and adventure.

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