Meet Yung Crusay: (Charlene Cruse) Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yung Crusay and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yung, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was that at the end of the day, I don’t want to work for anybody else. The clothing line came from music, and at the time that was my escape. I had started to become a paid artist and was ready to put out an album. As I got promo tools ready, the NOheartNOhustle hoodies took off. I paused the music and decided to continue on into fashion. Different side of the game with the same thought: I don’t want to work for anybody else.

What should our readers know about your business?
I want people to know that this business was built on the back of one person. I am still the person that does the shoots, the editing, the website, the designs, the pressing, EVERYTHING. I want people to understand that we didn’t do loans, we didn’t have somebody big investing in the company, we haven’t had a huge celebrity endorsement, but we have been successful. I have gotten the brand in 3 countries and 25 different states in the past 4 years and we are only getting bigger! I want people to see that NOheartNOhustle Clothing Company is successful because we are original. I see a lot of small brands knocking off known logos from big companies to generate sales while we are making it off of original designs. That’s the thing that makes me the most proud about my company. People have made it safe for us not to be a niche clothing line and accepted us as we are. Building this has not been the easiest. Most of our sales are made outside of the state & our first store we’ll be going into is in Baltimore. The biggest lesson learned is that you have to keep going because someone is watching. I want the world to know that this entire empire was built on the back of one Black lesbian woman from a little town called Huntsville, Texas. If I can do it, trust me… you’ve got this!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Houston is a very interesting place. So many different things to do and places to go, but honestly… you have to hit Frank’s Pizza while you’re here. Nothing getting like a midnight slice and seeing that beautiful skyline of ours! Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate my shoutout to God, my mom, dad, sister, step mom, brother, niece and nephew. Without them, this company wouldn’t be where it is and neither would I.

Website: shop.noheartnohustle.com

Instagram: @noheartnohustle

Twitter: @noheartnohustle

Image Credits
Photographers: Ronnie Newbill (5950 Productions) Yung Crusay/Charlene Cruse