Life and Work with Julia Fullerton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Fullerton.

Julia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My first memory of getting entrepreneurial bug started when I was 14 years old. At the time, there was a young girls’ fashion and lifestyle magazine called YM that held modeling contest with Cover Girl Cosmetics. I submitted my portrait and was one of the top 10 finalists selected from 10,000 entries. It was very exhilarating; I remember missing my middle school graduation to go to NYC, participating in the magazine’s feature photo shoot, meeting with the media and industry executives. It was an eye-opening experience that left a deep impression. The contestants and I got to meet supermodels like Tyra Banks and Nikki Taylor and I was blown-away. Through that experience, I signed with IMG Models and began my modeling career while also going to school full-time. It laid the foundation for me: learning how to deal with constant rejection, growing a thick skin and learning how to hustle.

In college, I majored in advertising but after graduating quickly realized I was more attracted to the creative process. I interned in the creative department at Virgin Records then moved on to the position of visual communications coordinator at Tiffany & Co. A lot of my early graphic design skills came from the immersion in a legacy luxury brand. My fiancé and I moved to Santa Fe, NM where I began work as a graphic designer at Outside Magazine. I later worked as a project manager for the Georgia O’Keefe Museum and also took time for some painting classes. I was needing a shift from graphic design as I was feeling burnt out and really wanted to get my hands dirty in paint. From there, I took some online pattern and textile design classes which became a true passion.

My inspiration to create Chakra Girl came from a burning desire to create art and textile designs and the deep passion I have from the transformational healing work that I did through my energy healing meditation practice. I started Chakra Girl in December 2017 in Santa Fe, New Mexico shortly after finishing my advanced certification in Intuitive Energy Reading. Several months later my family and I moved to Aspen. I slowly created my custom textile patterns, made the sample women and girls leggings and opened thechakragirl.com e-store. I started slowly with The Collective Snowmass Holiday Pop-Up last winter and from there got into Ro + Fern, the destination for super cool children’s clothing in Aspen and Ritual Aspen fitness studio.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think starting a business is never taking the smooth road. It’s constantly filled with obstacles and challenges on a daily basis. The biggest hurdle I had to overcome was our move to Aspen. I was a mom of 2 toddlers, starting a new full time job and was building Chakra Girl as a side hustle. It was not easy at all. My advice for young women who are starting their journey is to really take the time and dig down deep to figure out what you are most passionate about. I think it’s important to meditate on what you want, really clear your mind, and release all judgment or past thoughts, feelings and emotions around your desire, and see intuitively what comes to you. It’s hard for me to give advice because I feel like I am still in the mud, just trying to figure it out, day by day. Look at the market you want to create in, and ask yourself: what can I offer that is of use and different? Just focus on yourself and never compare yourself to others, that will only mess with your head. It’s very tough in the world of Instagram to not constantly compare yourself and your accomplishments to others. But you will attract the people you need to attract, so don’t worry if someone you reached out to hasn’t responded. Focus on the people who are excited about what you are doing and want to help and collaborate.

Please tell us about Chakra Girl.
I am the founder and designer of Chakra Girl. Our intention is to share the wisdom and healing properties of the chakras to nurture vibrant, self-empowered awareness in modern women and girls in the yoga studio or on the go so they can thrive in their daily lives. When wearing a pair of Chakra Girl leggings, we hope to activate your chakra space to create more balance and harmony. I think what sets us apart from other leggings lines is that not only are the leggings very functional and fashionable, they also provide a little healing transformation if you are open to receive it. It’s almost like receiving a daily affirmation to balance or heal a Chakra or energy center in your body. Our leggings are printed one at a time, using an eco-friendly sublimation process, then precision-cut and hand-sewn saving excess waste in both fabric and ink. The leggings are sold online with free shipping and can be made to order in 3 days and manufactured in the United States.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
I started really getting into podcasts about five years ago when my son Henry was born. I love listening to other creatives, wellness experts, moms, entrepreneurs, designers, performers and just hearing their stories. I love how intimate the podcast medium is if it feels like you are in the room and just listening to these deep conversations, and you get such good detailed information. When I first started listening to podcasts, I listened to a lot of American Fashion Podcast, GOOP is another huge podcast that is full with amazing interviews about wellness, Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard is a big favorite, so entertaining and funny, and lastly DENtalks Podcast, hosted by Tal Rabinowitz, the owner of Den Meditation Studios in Los Angeles.

I am currently reading Becoming Supernatural by Dr. Joe Dispenza, all about quantum healing through meditation, I love autobiographies, I love learning through other peoples personal stories and journeys, some great autobiographies that I have read this year include Lessons by Gisele Bundchen and Yes Please by Amy Poehler (will have you laughing out loud). Ayurveda (Idiot’s Guide) by Sahara Rose Ketabi is a great modern guide to Ayurveda. Some of my favorite classics include The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman and Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert., and Archetypes by Caroline Myss.

Pricing:

• Chakra Girl High Waist Leggings $82
• Chakra Girl Low Waist Leggings $72
• Chakra Girl Low Waist Capri Leggings $64
• Chakra Girl – Girls Leggings $52
• Chakra Girl Meditation Bean Bag Chair $240
• Chakra Girl Organic Tote Bag $38
• Chakra Girl Hoodies $84
• Chakra Girl Long Sleeve Tees $64
• Chakra Girl Tanks $52
• Chakra Girl Short Sleeve Tee $54

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thechakragirl.com
• Email: info@thechakragirl.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechakragirl/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chakragirl/

Image Credit:
Credit Studio Photos Only: Jonathan Tercero of Narrative Media, All other images, Courtesy of Chakra Girl

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