Julz from Rumor
With an extensive background in fashion, an eye for detail and a business-savvy mind, Julz has been at the helm of Rumor for over 14 years. Since taking over their flagship store in Cambridge, Julz and her team continue to source top quality brands and products that customers love.
Tell us a bit about you and your background, and how did you come to acquire Rumor?
I am mum of four; my oldest is 16 and my youngest 16 months! Love all my kids to pieces. They drive me to be the very best that I can be, with huge support from my husband who is also very busy in his own business involvements. Prior to my Rumor days, I was a solo mum studying fashion design at Wintec, whilst working in retail part-time. I guess this is where my passion ignited to get into the retail/ rag trade game so to speak, having also completed a diploma in small business from Wintec which helped me get to where I wanted to be.
I'm currently in my 14th year of owning Rumor. 2021 saw me take full ownership of our flagship store in Cambridge and we’ve since expanded with our online store and now into Made which we absolutely love being part of such a cool space and a collective of creative like-minded business owners.
What's the best part about what you do?
I absolutely love making people feel amazing and confident within themselves, while also forming long standing connections and building relationships with our customers, ensuring they feel valued and inspired with each visit. You will notice the Bondi Picture behind our counter; this represents my love for travelling to Australia to source new and exciting brands from across the ditch. We have some very exciting brands coming this year - keep an eye out for their introductions into Made.
Just like fashion evolves, Rumor prides itself on bringing the very best in RTW (ready to wear) in a multi brand space.
What do you hope to deliver, in offerings and experience?
Our goal is to provide unparalleled offerings that seamlessly blend quality, style and alignment with contemporary trends in men's and women's streetstyle and RWT fashion. Our focus extends beyond mere transactions; we strive to curate an immersive experience that is both personal and reflective of our unique identity.
Customer satisfaction and inspiration is at the forefront of our values, we aim to create memorable experiences that resonate long after the visit concludes.
What's next for Rumor?
On my recent trip,I scouted some exciting new brands to come on board in 2024. We are looking forward to exclusively stocking NIM the label bags in the Waikato, the ultimate bucket bag with interchangeable straps; this is one to keep on your radar this winter.
Another one of our favourites incoming is Kivari; this brand was created from a passion of adventurous travel and connection to our oceans. Known for its distinctive aesthetic of effortless and versatile silhouettes, they consciously create quality pieces with integrity and heart, utilising natural fibres and alternative manufacturing methods to balance our operations with mother nature.
Tell us a bit about your team?
Our amazing team of 7 are all with great talents respectively. Included in our operations Team, is Claudia who works remotely from Spain, tasked with the key role of stock management. And Tyla, my second in charge, who is just amazing and has been with the company for 7 years coming up in July. We all work collectively to curate our successful brand portfolio and buying choices.
Anything else you'd like to mention?
Another aspect worth highlighting is our dedication to customer satisfaction and engagement. We believe in building lasting relationships with our clientele by providing exceptional service, personalised styling advice and memorable shopping experiences. Through feedback channels, loyalty programs and exclusive events, we actively seek to connect with our customers on a deeper level, understanding their preferences and evolving needs. Our goal is not only to meet but exceed their expectations, ensuring they feel valued and appreciated every step of their fashion journey with us.
Come and join our loyalty program to keep up to date with exciting events and exclusive previews coming up this year.