Meet Julie Gillan

We recently connected with Julie Gillan and have shared our conversation below.

Julie, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I wouldn’t say that I’ve overcome imposter syndrome, actually. I very much still feel like an imposter sometimes and I think a little bit of that will always be there as I build more and more confidence in myself, my mission and my brand as the years go on. My cousin once told me in a podcast, “just do it scared.” You’re never going to feel completely ready when doing something bold, courageous or against the norm, but do it anyway. Many people have great ideas, but action is what is necessary to make a great idea an epic business.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Hi, I’m Julie Gillan, founder of ditchthefrogs, LLC.

The Story:
We are a faith based dating brand.

The brand is a play on the princess and the frog- sometimes you have to kiss many frogs before you the find the one. If they aren’t the prince or princess, you have to ditch the frog so you can find the right prince or princess for you. However, the brand has a double meaning as the main T-shirt for sale says “find the PRINCE , ditch the frogs, Isaiah 9:6” which means to find the true PRINCE, who is Jesus (Prince of Peace), and to ditch anything stealing your joy from the person God created you to uniquely be. Sometimes the “frog” isn’t a person or a relationship, but rather could be anything getting in the way of living in Christ’s freedom everyday.

T-shirts and trucker hats are currently available for sale on my website, ETSY, and TikTok shop. For more on the meaning of this brand, follow along on Instagram: @ditchthefrogs

Background in how the brand logistically came to be (the behind the scenes):
I first thought of the idea of “ditch the frogs” while on a Christian Women’s Retreat led by Maia Mae Huff in summer of 2023. I then had my first t-shirt for the brand made in September 2023 that my good friend from college, Austin Thomas (Fit 2 Fulfill, LLC) had made for me. I was very quiet about it and didn’t do anything with it until I slowly gained more and more confidence in my faith, my story, my why, and the meaning of this brand and why the world needs it. My close friends and family knew about my new idea, but that’s it. It wasn’t until my birthday, March 16 2024 (very close to Easter 2024), when my childhood best friend gifted me a black trucker hat that said “ditch the frogs” in black stitching that really struck an internal fire inside me to launch this brand completely to the public. I then worked on launching this brand everyday after working my corporate full time job until I finally became a registered LLC in June 2024. I currently solely operate this brand while also working as a medical device sales rep.

My Goal:
Ditch the frogs isn’t just a clothing line, it’s a brand, a mission our current culture desperately needs.

Follow along @ditchthefrogs if you want to ditch the toxic hook up culture and make dating great & virtuous again. Our generation is starving for true, authentic, self-giving, beautiful love, not this toxic surface level hook up culture. We’re starving for clarity, let’s give it back to our generation.

Not in the dating scene? That’s okay! Sometimes the “frog” isn’t a person or a relationship, but rather could be an addiction, past shame, vice, sin, or any other negative thing sucking the life and joy out of you.

This brand is very new and I have so many ideas for it. Updates to come! I most recently was on a podcast that you can listen to here: https://playwhereyourfeetare.com/blog/julie-gillan-ditch-the-frogs-and-date-well-pwyfa-s4-ep5/

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?

1. Be completely BOLD, despite the fear and lies your brain will tell you along the way. Be prepared for spiritual attacks from every single angle when going for that dream in your heart or business idea. Be prepared to fight those thoughts and be resilient. You won’t see it coming, but push through anyway.

2. “The most successful people aren’t the people that figure it out the fastest, but the people that can withstand the sucky part for the longest” – a quote from my dear friend Bridget Maguire that has sustained me on this journey. Push through in the mundane of building a brand and being new.

3. Lean on your support system. I really don’t think a brand can get off the ground if you don’t have absolute cheerleaders in your corner. (you all know who you special people are).

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

Live life to the absolute fullest by staying as present as possible in the current day while simultaneously fixing my eyes on Heaven and eternity. I would do this by loving every single person I come in contact with without distraction and go ALL in with absolutely everything I do, no matter what.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ditchthefrogs.com
• Instagram: ditchthefrogs
• Other: Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ditchthefrogs?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1646086151&from_page=listing
  Podcast: https://playwhereyourfeetare.com/blog/julie-gillan-ditch-the-frogs-and-date-well-pwyfa-s4-ep5/
  TikTok: @ditchthefrogs
  Email: [email protected]

Image Credits

Tom Agudo