Reshoevn8r Retailer Spotlight: Guest List AZ

We're back with the next installment of our new monthly series, highlighting a Reshoevn8r retail partner on the blog. Today we're hanging out with Guest List from Tempe, Arizona! 

R8: How long have you been in business?

GL: We have been in business for 10 years, I started out as one store and transitioned into multiple and different businesses as the years went on. 

R8: What made you want to open a sneaker store?

GL: I was tired of working a corporate sneaker job and knew I always wanted to have my own business, I saw an opportunity to open a store and took a huge chance and ran with my idea.

R8: What was the first sneaker store you had ever been to?

GL: I would say the first stores I would remember going to are the Fiesta Mall sneaker stores, that mall had every sneaker store and Shiekh shoes and Foot Action would be the place for all the lifestyle Jordan’s.

R8: What is the significance of this location?

GL: Arizona Mills Mall is one of the busiest areas of all of Arizona. People from all over the world come to Arizona and stop at this mall. 

R8: What brought you into selling sneakers?

GL: I'm a huge Lebron collector, out of the 500+ personal pairs I would say my Lebron collection is my favorite, over my Off-White, Travis Scott and Yeezy collection.

R8: What are some challenges you faced prior to opening and also after you opened?

GL: A lot of the problems were just the unknowns of business and just not knowing if it was going to work in the beginning. Trying to learn how to operate and run a business, I don’t have any business schooling I always just learned from the streets. 

R8: What brands do you currently stock?

GL: To name a few we carry Billionaire Boys Club, Ice Cream, Embellish, Cookies, Akoo, Hustle Gang, Supply and Demand and so many more.

R8: What have been some top sellers for you?

GL: Billionaire Boys Club is a staple in the street wear community and Jordan 11s never go out of style.

R8: What are some ways that your store connects with the city?

GL: We definitely try to stay in tune with what happens in the valley and participate in events. A big thing I try to do is just try to support other small businesses and spend money with them and support their dreams. 

R8: Any big moments in the store’s history?

GL: We’ve had some fun times at the stores over the years with meet and greets and just random pop ups but one that stands out is the Se7en pop up, all the top sneakerhead YouTubers (20 mill in subs collectively) came and had a really fun sneakerhead meet and greet at the store.

R8: How has the Pandemic affected you and your business?

GL: It was really scary in the beginning. I thought I was going to lose everything I worked for over the past decade. But as stores opened up slowly and people got stimulus checks and loans things slowly started to pick back up.  

R8: Are you online? How have sales been?

GL: Yes we are online at guestlistaz.com and we’ve been thankful for all the orders we get, if you ever need some exclusive clothing we’ll send it to your home.

R8: Any new learnings from the pandemic regarding business and customer’s behaviors? 

GL: Customers are more aware and are watching to see if you're doing your part in keeping their shopping environment clean. 

R8: Did you get hit by the riots? What are your thoughts on what happened? 

GL: We did not get hit by the riots. Scottsdale Mall got hit first so we had a small window to prepare just Incase something were to happen. But we used that moment to take a stance on what happened and to show our community that we stood with them when we held a BLM event at our store.

R8: How are things now? How are you navigating the business during these uncertain times? 

GL: Things have been good but we know at any moment it could change. So more attention to detail, being extra cautious with the way we are buying products. 

R8: Where do you see retail going, post Pandemic?

GL: Things are going way more digital, there will always be a need for people who need something on the spot but we know we have to adapt.

R8: What was your biggest challenge when first opened and did you ever think of quitting? 

GL: The biggest challenge was just believing it was going to work out and never giving up. 

R8: Fast forward 5 years, what is your ultimate goal with your store/brand?

GL: Just to keep building more businesses and trying to find ways to make everything work together.

R8: From a reseller aspect, what was your biggest win or come up?

GL: My biggest one was a supreme shirt buy-out. I spent $100k on that deal and it was extremely profitable and I’m glad I trusted my instincts because people tried to talk me out of that deal.

R8: Where do you see sneaker culture going in the future and what are your thoughts?

GL: There’s always gonna be people who need to go bigger and more expensive so I think people are going to spend more to get the rarest shoes. It’s going to be interesting. 

R8: What advice do you have for the next generation looking into the sneaker/streetwear business?

GL: Never give up and trust your instincts, like Nip said you’re going to go through every emotion in your pursuit but never give up.

Guest List AZ carries the Following Reshoevn8r Products: