Meet Ernest Gundo

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ernest Gundo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ernest below.

Ernest, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

I get my optimism from a mix of two things: my faith in Jesus Christ, and my background and vision. My faith gives me the deepest foundation — I know God has a plan for me, and that even in hard times He’s shaping something greater. That assurance allows me to see hope where others might only see setbacks. Growing up, I also learned that even in the toughest moments there’s always a crack where light can come in, and that shaped how I approach challenges. I don’t see setbacks as dead ends, but as redirections. At the same time, my optimism comes from the future I’m building — I believe deeply in the ideas I’m working on and the people around me. That belief keeps me moving with energy and positivity, because I know that what I’m doing today is planting seeds for something bigger tomorrow

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Thank you for the opportunity to share my story. My name is Ernest Gundo, and I’m the founder of Hailey Jordany, a fashion brand that blends elegance with street energy. At its heart, Hailey Jordany is about more than just clothes — it’s about confidence, faith, and marking your territory in life. Every piece we design carries that message: you’re not just wearing a brand, you’re wearing belief.

What excites me most is how the brand speaks to people on different levels. On one hand, we’re creating stylish, bold pieces that stand out anywhere. But on a deeper level, we’re building a movement — something that says, you can rise, you can own your space, and you can carry your light into the world. My own faith in Jesus Christ inspires much of that, because I believe fashion can be both expressive and uplifting.

We’ve got some exciting things coming up. One of our major upcoming drops is the ‘Explicit Content’ collection, releasing on December 15, 2025 at 3:15 a.m. — a bold, unapologetic statement about authenticity. We’re also expanding into sub-brands like Unity in Christ, which merges faith and fashion to give people apparel that reflects not just style, but belief. On top of that, we’re growing internationally, collaborating with schools, athletes, and creatives across Africa, the US, Europe, and Asia.

For me, the most special thing about Hailey Jordany is that it’s not just my brand — it’s a platform for community, creativity, and courage. When you wear HJ, you’re not just wearing clothes, you’re stepping into a mindset: to dream big, to stand tall, and to Mark This Territory.”

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I’d say three things really shaped my journey:

1. Faith and resilience. My faith in Jesus Christ gave me the strength to keep going even when things felt impossible. Resilience isn’t about pretending things are easy — it’s about knowing you’re not walking alone, and that every challenge is part of the bigger plan. My advice: build your inner foundation first. Whether through prayer, reflection, or discipline, you need something that grounds you when life shakes you.

2. Vision and creativity. From the start, I always believed in the power of ideas. Creativity allowed me to see possibilities where others saw limits. Vision kept me focused on what the brand could become, even before anyone else could see it. My advice: dream boldly, but also write it down and refine it. A vague dream fades — but a clear vision creates direction.

3. Adaptability and learning. The world of business, fashion, and even personal growth changes fast. Being willing to learn, adjust, and sometimes start over gave me an edge. I treated setbacks like lessons, not losses. My advice: stay curious and don’t be afraid to fail forward. Every misstep is a free education if you’re humble enough to learn from it.

Together, these qualities helped me turn an idea into a brand, and keep moving with purpose. For anyone just starting out: build your faith, sharpen your vision, and stay adaptable — because the journey will test you, but it will also transform you.”

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

The most helpful influence in my journey has been Jesus Christ. My faith has been the anchor that carried me through challenges and gave me the strength to keep going. Whenever I felt stuck or uncertain, I turned to prayer and Scripture, and I found clarity and peace that kept me moving forward.

Beyond my faith, I’m also grateful for the people God placed around me — family, mentors, and peers who believed in me, even when I doubted myself. They reminded me that building something meaningful is never a solo mission. Every conversation, every word of encouragement, and sometimes even constructive criticism helped me grow.

What I’ve learned is that success doesn’t come from being self-made; it comes from being supported and guided. For me, the greatest help has come from Christ’s direction and the community He’s given me.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
How did you develop a strong work ethic?

We asked some of the hardest working artists, creatives and entrepreneurs we know to open

Portraits of Resilience

Sometimes just seeing resilience can change out mindset and unlock our own resilience. That’s our

Unlocking Optimism: Stories & Insights

Our team is mostly comprised of optimists and we are often asked where all this