Abby Clear
Founder & CEO, Lakes And Grapes | Building a Coastal Lakes & Vineyard Lifestyle Brand | Retail • Ecommerce • Community Marketing • Branding and Social
- Role
- Founder and CEO at Lakes And Grapes
- Location
- Traverse City, MI, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Abby Clear
I’m the founder of Lakes And Grapes, a lifestyle apparel brand inspired by the coastal lakes, vineyards, and outdoor communities that shape life across the Great Lakes and other waterfront wine regions.A former Division I volleyball athlete, my career began in sports and communications before later transitioning into the wine industry, where I developed a deeper appreciation for vineyard culture and the communities built around it. Those experiences ultimately led me to build something of my own — a brand that reflects the lifestyle I love and the places that inspire it.I launched Lakes And Grapes in 2018 with a simple idea: create apparel that celebrates the intersection of lake life, wine country, and the outdoors. What began as a small concept has grown into a lifestyle brand with a flagship retail store in downtown Traverse City and a growing online community across the country.Today, Lakes And Grapes is more than an apparel brand. It’s a lifestyle built around community and experiences — from hosting local events like Walk Club to partnering with wineries and small businesses that help define Northern Michigan’s culture. Our products are designed for the moments people love most: boating, exploring vineyards, enjoying sunsets on the water, and gathering with friends.What I’m buildingMy vision is to grow Lakes And Grapes into a nationally recognized lifestyle brand that represents the culture of coastal lakes, vineyard regions, and outdoor communities across the country — from the Great Lakes to other iconic waterfront destinations.Along the way, I’m passionate about supporting small businesses, building meaningful partnerships, and creating experiences that bring people together around the lifestyle the brand represents.Beyond the brandI enjoy sharing what I’ve learned building a lifestyle brand from the ground up — from brand storytelling and retail strategy to community-driven marketing.I’m occasionally available for speaking engagements, brand partnerships, and consulting with founders and small businesses.Based in Traverse City, Michigan and Phoenix, Arizona.
Experience
Founder and CEO
Aug 2016 — Present · Traverse City, MI, US
Founded Lakes And Grapes in 2018, a lifestyle apparel brand inspired by the culture of coastal lakes, vineyards, and outdoor communities. Since launching, the brand has grown from a startup concept into an established lifestyle brand with multiple retail locations, a flagship store in downtown Traverse City, and a growing nationwide ecommerce presence.As Founder & CEO, I lead the vision, brand development, and day-to-day operations of the company, managing all aspects of the business from product design and merchandising to financial operations, marketing, and retail strategy.Key responsibilities and focus areas include:• Building and growing a lifestyle apparel brand centered around lake life, wine country, and outdoor living• Designing and developing apparel, home goods and accessory collections• Successfully launching and operating three retail locations, including the current flagship store in downtown Traverse City• Managing all business operations including accounting, financial planning, inventory management, and vendor relationships• Overseeing product sourcing, purchasing, merchandising, and retail operations• Leading ecommerce strategy and digital growth alongside brick-and-mortar retail• Developing marketing campaigns across social media, email, and digital platforms• Creating community-driven experiences and events, including Walk Club and in-store activations• Building partnerships with wineries, local businesses, and organizations that support the Northern Michigan communityLakes And Grapes has become a recognized lifestyle brand that celebrates the intersection of lake life, wine country, and the outdoors while bringing people together through both apparel and experiences.
Education
University of Minnesota
Bachelor's Degree, Communications and Sports Management
2012 — 2014
St. Francis College
Business Marketing and Communications
2010 — 2012
University of Montpellier
Sports Culture
Traverse City St. Francis Highschool
High School Diploma
2006 — 2010
Skills
- Time Management
- Public Speaking
- SEO
- Commentating
- Fashion Shows
- Mac Os
- Branding
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Reporting
- Customer Service
- Event Management
- Writing
- Marketing
- Photography
- Wordpress
- Advertising
- Computers
- Story Writing
- Snapchat
- Public Relations
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Digital Marketing
- Microsoft Office
- Sales
- Blogging
- Research
- Powerpoint
- Microsoft Excel
- Editing
- Leadership
- Mailchimp
- Email Marketing
- Sports Management
- Sports
- Video Production
- Social Networking
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