Maddie Munson @ Hobolux
Name: Maddie Munson
Age: 25
Current Location: New York, NY
Birth Place: Pocatello, ID
9 to 5: Designer/Technical Designer Assistant at a Fashion Textile Company (actually 8:30 to 5)
Side Hustle: CEO of Hobolux
A Brief Intro…
My name is Maddie Munson, I am proudly a part of the Shoshone-Bannock tribe, and I dye my hair to whatever color matches my mood. I moved to NYC two years ago to pursue my dreams as a fashion designer/entrepreneur. My favorite place in the city is by the water on the West side of the city.. it is where I religiously go to ease my mind and remind myself what I am grateful for. My hobbies include working out, creating new ideas and products for Hobolux, and constantly focusing on how I can better myself and the people around me.
Tell me about Hobolux.
One day, before I left my apartment, I looked in the mirror and laughed.. I was trying to come up with a word that described perfectly how I look.. “awful” is what society would think - but I was embracing this look and headed out. There was a word that LITERALLY came to mind when I was walking to the subway (full on messy bun, no make-up, sweats, and a hoodie) and it’s was the one I was looking for earlier when I was staring in the mirror... “Hobolux… that’s it! That’s the brand. Kind of look like a hobo, but I am also ALWAYS, very lux. Hobolux.”
How did you start?
My mentor, Tommy, was a huge help to my initial success – constantly asking me questions like “Maddie, when people come to your show, and they want to buy what’s on the runway, how will they be able to do that?” So, Hobolux was “born” after it’s very first fashion show in Brooklyn, at the Brookyln Bazaar (March 2019). After the show, is when I officially started my brand, launched my website and had a few products up for sale.
How has it transformed?
Hobolux has transformed from just selling a few crop tops and hoodies.. into a multi-dimensional brand that focuses on producing products that are trendy “seen it here first”, comfortable, and unique. It represents people who like me, prefer things with a twist. For the not-so-average, opposite of utterly basic, ordinary, and standard. We have an array of streetwear, athleisurewear, and custom-made apparel and shoes.
Is it what you expected?
So far, the brand is exceeding expectations, but I am always wanting more. The day I can quit my day job, to do Hobolux full time will be the greatest success to come.
What's your day job?
I work 8:30-5 at a fashion textile company as a designer/technical designer assistant.
How's the balance between the two?
I am able to balance the two in my daily life, but when Hobolux is dropping new collections or products, having pop-ups, shows, or events, is when it gets intense. This is usually when I work 12 hour days. I go to work, then I come home to just begin working on Hobolux stuff. Sometimes, it can be tricky balancing the two, but you have to hustle hard and want it so that you never get tired, but rather are always inspired and your passion is the thing that keeps you going.
What makes you a boss?
On top of having a fashion design job in New York City that I love, I am the CEO of my own company that I have built from just an idea – I do everything from running the website, making the actual products in my studio, taking and modeling our product photos – thank god for self-timer, and go to the post office to send out the products. I am a boss in the way I carry myself and my self-worth is very high, so that anyone else who thinks otherwise might hate on that or it might make them uncomfortable.
Proudest moment in your career AND personal life?
The proudest moment in my life was moving to New York City with just two suitcases and $1600, starting Hobolux and making my dreams become my reality. As for my personal life, it is when I started working out and pursuing a healthy lifestyle, mind, body, and soul. I started manifesting my goals and dreams and giving myself the power to be able to change my environment and the people around me, into a healthy and uplifting one. I am in the greatest shape - mentally, physically, and emotionally, of my life right now. All three are important and are NEEDED in order to maintain a good head on your shoulders.
Lowest point?
I was in a narcissistic and manipulative relationship. I’ve been in a few bad relationships, and I always got so caught up in them. I was moving place to place around the city last year – in absolute hell and unstable living conditions, that it was hard to focus on anything. I was depressed, had major anxiety, and was in a very low place.
What is the hardest decision you've ever had to make?
The hardest decision I’ve ever had to make was finally leaving toxic relationships and toxic people behind. You are who you surround yourself with.
Most famous quote? Explain.
“Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
“Be unapologetically yourself. Do not give into what other people think of you.”
“Don’t ever listen to anyone telling you ‘NO’.”
“Never ask permission, instead do what you want, then ask for forgiveness.”
“The crazy people are the ones who change the world.”
“Embrace change, RUN towards your fears and failures and you will overcome them.”
“You are unstoppable, you are amazing, and you are the best.”
“If you don’t like something, change it.”
These are all quotes I live by and remind myself on the daily. It is important to be authentic, to be yourself wholeheartedly and unapologetically and LOVE EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF IT. There are many fakes and non-believers out there, and those are the ones who will constantly try to bring you down or talk bad about you. Forget them, focus on you! A lot of people have a lot to say, but they really don’t care or think about you at all. So be yourself, don’t ever change for a person or thing.. If you don’t love and respect yourself, who will? It is only when we find meaning and purpose in our life, that we are happy.
What passion project are you working on right now?
Right now, I am currently working on Hobolux’s Quarantine collection, where we are dropping tons of new products every week!
What's your next big move?
My next big move is taking Hobolux worldwide – and making headlines!
Rapid Response Questions…
Spirit Animal? Lion.
Why? Because the lion is fearless and will destroy anything in its way.
Favorite Color? Pink.
What gets you out of bed in the morning? Being blessed to be alive, and Hobolux!
Do you love yourself? Yes, of course.
Share one piece of advice that you find most important with all the ladies out their working hard to make their dreams come true.
My piece of advice to all ladies out there working hard to make their dreams come true is to make sure that your dreams are your passion! You have to want to achieve them so bad that it is all you think about and it is the first thing you think about when you wake up every day, you have to be obsessed. You have to realize that people will try to stop you and tell you that you’re crazy, but you can’t listen to average people with average goals and dreams when you want to be bigger and better. Sometimes, when you tell average people your dreams, they will hate on you because they can’t imagine anything other than working 9-5 for the rest of their lives and believe you should too. Run far away from these types of people. And remember that during hard times, obstacles are opportunities! Nothing in life comes easy, you have to be able to make light during darkness, and that light comes from within yourself.
Why should woman have a #LadyTribe to lean on?
Everyone should have a #Ladytribe to lean on because it is important to surround yourself with people who support and love you. They will uplift you when you’re down and continue to push you.
Give a shout out to your #GirlGang!
I love my #GirlGang – my family and best friends from Idaho, Virginia, and New York! The ones I call every day and the ones I can go months without talking to, pick up the phone, and catch up from where we left off. My friends have always been there for me during the lowest times of my life, and I am so thankful for them. You know who you are! Love you!