Meet Jaclyn Robichaud Doyle

We were lucky to catch up with Jaclyn Robichaud Doyle recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jaclyn, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I found my purpose completely by accident when I was a freshman in high school. I was fortunate enough to go to a technical high school where I studied art. I was a punk/emo kid, but I had a very particular style that I couldn’t seem to find in stores. So I started cutting up my clothes and sewing them back together to look the way I had imagined in my head. After a few months of experimenting at home, I worked up the courage to wear some of these pieces to school. When my friends started asking me where they could buy them for themselves, I had my “lightbulb” moment.
I started taking custom orders from classmates and realized how fulfilling it was to provide for an under-represented market. This lead to me exploring ways that I could continue to do so on a larger scale as a career. I decided Fashion Design was the right road for me, and I’ve always prioritized inclusivity in my brand.

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?

Since my teens, I went on to study Fashion Design at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. While I was in school, I continued taking custom orders, now for clothing constructed totally from scratch. I was able to build up my clientele while also using the money I earned to fund my degree. During this time, I also interned for a tailor, and over the years gained a reputation for being great at working with people who were considered “plus sized”. Seeing people look in the mirror and be overjoyed with their reflection when their usual shopping experience was underwhelming at best lit a fire in me. Everyone deserves to see themselves represented in the Fashion Industry, and I’ve made it my goal to provide a safe space for anyone shopping with my brand.
After graduating with Department Honors in 2014, I went on to open my own independent studio in Lowell, MA. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to show in many Fashion Week shows in NYC, Boston, Rhode Island and more. I’ve also had the honor of having pieces walk the red carpet at the Oscars, show a piece at the “Rococo Rebellion” Event at the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum, and won a Boston Fashion Award. I’ve been able to expand my brand to wholesale to other boutiques creating ready-to-wear pieces available in XS – 5X. Jack Attackk Clothing just celebrated 9 years in business, and I’m so excited to see what the future holds.
I have a few fun projects in the works, including developing an inclusive Alternative Bridal line!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The three most important things I’ve had to utilize or develop over the years are perseverance, confidence in your craft, and the ability to say no.
When you’re running a small business, you’re up against a lot of obstacles. It doesn’t matter how good you are at what you do, there will be moments where business is slow or there are supply chain issues, etc. So something that’s a huge asset as a Small Business Owner is perseverance. Showing up every day and continuing the work; even if it feels like it’s not paying off in the moment, consistency will pay off in the long run.
Another valuable lesson I’ve learned over the years is to not compare yourself to others. You have to be confident in your skill or craft regardless of what other people are doing. This is something I struggled with until very recently. I’ve never been very tech savvy so social media doesn’t come easily to me. I’d watch people making similar videos that were getting much more reach and engagement, which would discourage me. One day, I read an article that put it into perspective and that really helped me. To sum it up: those people that you see with better engagement aren’t more talented designers, they’re just better at social media.
Finally, and possibly the most important, is the ability to say no. So many people, in and out of business, struggle with saying no. I am painfully aware that I struggle with people pleasing tendencies. When I first started my business, I would say yes to any job that came my way, even if it wasn’t the type of work I wanted to be doing. I’ve even said yes to jobs I knew wouldn’t be profitable just to get my work out there. The issue with this is, if you become known for a certain type of work or price point, it’s incredibly difficult to break out of that cycle. So you need to be making decisions for your business in the long term, which often means politely telling someone “no, thank you.”

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

My ideal client is someone who values artists and wants to invest in a new one of a kind piece for their next event. I specialize in Alternative Wedding attire of all types, and I’ve been lucky to have some incredible clients over the years. The characteristics I look for in a client are decisiveness, good communication, and an appreciation for craftsmanship/the work of the artist they’re hiring.
When you’re having a custom piece made, it’s a collaboration between the artist and the client. I stress this with any person I chat with before we agree to work together – I am a designer, not a seamstress. As an artist, I can’t copy another artist’s work. Because of this, we’re creating something that’s never existed before. So being able to make decisions in a situation like this is key! I can always give input, but it’s important that a client isn’t constantly changing their mind. Which ties into being an effective communicator. Someone being able to tell me the elements they’re looking for helps me make sure I can incorporate them to make their perfect piece. And it’s a huge deal to work with someone who appreciates my work! It seems like a common sense answer, but it’s always amazing to work with clients who genuinely love my style and want me to create something for them that is based on my strengths as a designer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jackattackkclothing.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jack_attackk_clothing
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jack.attackk.clothing
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/jack_attackk_clothing

Image Credits

Photos by Pretty Nerdy Photography