We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Malia Sias a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Malia , thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
Who said I’ve overcome it? I experience it in everything I do. I’m not mad at this emotion though. I think it stems from the respect for all the many talented people I’ve come into contact with or have learned from. For example. Can I do graphics? Sure. I’m good at creating assets or manipulating graphics. But in my many years working in fashion I’ve worked with some of the industries most coveted graphic artists. So when I create my graphics I have those past experiences living in my memory and the imposter syndrome takes over. It’s a blessing and a curse. But at the end of the day these imposter syndrome feelings keep me humble and always wanting to strive for perfection.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Currently I’m at the point of my life and career where I have hunted and gathered a skillset, knowledge, intellectual property and understanding of my trade. So as a small business owner I’m combining all of that knowledge and applying it to my everyday processes and problem solving. I have been working on Googly Eye Cru since 2003. It started out as street art and has evolved into a full fledged brand along the way. It started in a grassroots way. Being part of a counter culture and slowly creating products to align with the street art aspect of it. Our first products were sticker packs, pins, planter eyes, tees and pillows. Now 2 decades later we have a flagship shop in the Lower East Side NYC, and online shop as well as some stockists in the USA and Europe. What’s so exciting to me is that i can use the knowledge I’ve picked up along the way and apply to my own vision and brand. I think of my brand as a character based brand for Kids and Kids at heart. There is a combo of humor and elevated quality in every product we produce. If you giggle a little when you interact with our brand then “you get us”. If I can make every customer giggle and smile then I’m doing something right in my book!
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?
FIrst and foremost if you are in a trade based industry my advice is to spend time learning all aspects of that trade. I call it the karate kid experience. Take on every kind of job within that trade. It might feel like you’re waxing a car or painting a fence but after it’s all said and done you’ll put up a good fight with all the skills you’ve picked up along the way. I’ve been working in fashion since 1995. In that time I’ve worked in production, Technical design, Merchandising, and Design. I’ve worked Retail. I’ve sewn in a factory. I’ve worked with Marketing teams to help strategize and build content. Some of it was fun and some of it sucked. But at the end of the day I use ALL of those skills I learned everyday of running my brand. I also feel that since I’ve done so many roles I’m more considerate and understanding of what is expected from each of those roles. It makes me a better communicator and manager knowing what the expectations and lead times are. If you are just starting out don’t be afraid to roll your sleeves up and take an internship (or two or three) Humbly take an entry level job so you can learn the ropes. In addition my network is very strong. Because of the many colleagues I’ve worked with along the way. I can pick up the phone and reach out to a huge network of creatives, administrators and executives to help me based on the relationships I’ve cultivated along the way. You are only as strong as your team and tribe so be kind and considerate along the way. It will only come back to you.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
It was 1993 and I didn’t know what I wanted “to do ” with my life. My high school was focused on academics. I always loved sewing but when I tried to sign up for art classes my guidance counselor said “oh you’ll never get into a good college with that kind of class”. The irony is I was a huge Dead Head and was always sewing to make things to sell in the parking lot of shows. I’d sit in the back of social studies class embroidering items while I listened to the teachers lectures. But at no time did anyone say .”maybe she’d make a good fashion designer” So I went to college with the major in Liberal Arts. After 1 year of taking random classes I found that my work study (sewing costumes for the theater dept) was more interesting than any classes I was taking. So I dropped out of college and went on Grateful dead tour. When i finally came back home to my parents house about 3 months after dropping out of college they made a choice that changed my life. Instead of getting mad at me for dropping out. Instead of challenging my decision to be a free spirit and travel around the US. They took me to some fashion schools. I had no idea that I could study fashion. When i went to some school walk thrus and saw the pattern tables and sewing machines I was so excited to think that I could do what I loved for a living. I’m so thankful that instead of giving up on me because of my rebellion they had the foresight to encourage something I was passionate about. I love them so much for nurturing that side of me. It gave me the path and the tools I used today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thegooglyeyecru.com/
- Instagram: @googlyeyecru
- Facebook: @googlyeyecru
- Linkedin: @googlyeyecru
- Yelp: @googlyeyecru
- Other: You can also find us on TikTok @googlyeyecru
