# Ray Guilbault Founder of 8and9 Opens Up About Himself and His Brand

- Link: https://exclusiveaccess.net/ray-guilbault-founder-of-8and9-opens-up-about-himself-and-his-brand/
- Published: 2012-07-17T07:55:13-04:00
- Author: EAN

# 󠀁[_HYPE EXCLUSIVE_](http://hypegirls.com/hype-exclusive-8and9-hypegirls/)󠁿:Founder Of 8&9, Ray G. Opens Up To The 󠀁[_Hype Girls_](http://hypegirls.com/hype-exclusive-8and9-hypegirls/)󠁿!

[⌊8and9-Summer-12-The-Hype-Girls⌉⌊8and9-Summer-12-The-Hype-Girls⌉[

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Ray G., Founder of 8and9 Designs. This man has got to
be one of the hardest working entrepreneurs in South Florida. He eats, sleeps, and
breathes his company, and it certainly shows in his work. Ray G. has built his company
from the ground up, has overcome the trials and tribulations that life has thrown
at him, and still remains humble in all of his success. 8and9 has grown tremendously
over the past few years and is continuing to gain a lot of attention from customers
all over, celebs, and the media. With all of this going on for Ray, he still found
the time to sit down and give The Hype Girls the exclusive on his brand, company,
and a tiny bit of his personal life. Check out our interview with Mr. 8and9, himself!

**-Has this always been your dream and passion or were there other fields that you
were interested in pursuing?**

** **_“Starting in middle school it was pretty clear entrepreneurship was the path.
I was definitely the kid looking at a suit and tie saying “couldn’t be my life!”
But, if I ever had a back-up plan I would have been a lawyer.”_

![](http://hypegirls.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Ray-Behind-Scenes-Cory-Gunz-
Gudda-Video-1-217x300.jpg "Ray G.-The-Hype-Girls")

Founder of 8and9, Ray G.

_ _**-8 and 9 is blowing up…by the second, how do you create time for a personal/
love life?**

_“Thanks for noticing! Personal life hasn’t been a focus of mine.  I’m more concerned
about the business, working hard, growing and creating more jobs for good people.
The rest will come in time.”_

_ _**-The ‘Crime Pays’ design seems to be very popular. What inspired that design?**

** **_“We made it when the first South Beach Lebrons came out. It was a Miami shoe,
Miami Vice, South Beach, this city was built on dirty money. We’re a street brand.
Crime Pays just fit perfectly and I think just about everyone significant to hip
hop culture has worn it so in that sense Crime Pays.”_

_ _**-What makes 8 and 9 different from all other brands?**

** **_“I think it’s our philosophy and the team we have. We work harder than most.
Our backgrounds are really diverse, we draw from a range of inspiration but we have
a different approach to the whole business.   The name 8&9 allows us to reach a 
broad audience and not get pigeon holed by any specific label like urban or skate
or sneaker t-shirt company.  Our graphics are powered by concepts and most have 
deeper messages than what some see on the surface.  Production wise, we put a lot
of attention to quality of fabric, fit and print which is overlooked a lot in street-
wear, especially with rising companies.”_

_ _**-What would you say your biggest accomplishment is thus far? **

** ****_“_**_Getting this far is an accomplishment in itself. It’s been a long road
and I easily could have quit a hundred times. I’m proud to provide jobs to good 
people. I still have a few more that I need to get out their 9-5 but we’re working
on it. Mission almost accomplished.”_

 

[[

Brandon Ghee, Cincinnati Bengals Cornerback

            -What’s next for 8 and 9? What projects do you have in the works?

** **“_It’s been a really big year for us, 2013 is already looking crazy. We’re 
showing at [Agenda](http://agendashow.com/) this August and [Magic](http://www.magiconline.com/)
in February.  Right now our main focus is expanding distribution. New website launches
August 1. I’m excited for our loyal customers to see the growth there. I think they’ll
be impressed._”

**-What made you want to start designing?**

** **_“Before design, I wanted to build a brand.  At the time, there weren’t any
popular cross over companies. It was urban, skate, or surf. Everything was segmented
and there was no street-wear market. Coming up with a diverse background I really
wanted to unite those markets and blur the lines between. Designing what I liked
came from that plan.”_

_ _**-Name some of the celebs 8&9 has been seen on. Who is the number one celeb 
you’d want to see rocking your gear?**

** **_“We’ve been really fortunate to get a lot of looks. We don’t have a publicist
or do any paid placements, so the celebs wearing it usually bought it.  To name 
a few, [J.R. Smith](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._R._Smith), [2 Chainz](http://www.2chainz.com/basedonatrustory/),
[Busta Rhymes](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busta_Rhymes), [Cormega](http://www.legalhustle.net/),
[Pooch Hall](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pooch_Hall), [Cory Gunz](http://www.youngmoneyhq.com/artists/cory-gunz/),
[Gudda](http://www.youngmoneyhq.com/artists/gudda-gudda/), [Jae Millz](http://www.youngmoneyhq.com/artists/jae-millz/),
[Funkmaster Flex](http://www.inflexwetrust.com/). I could go on for a while but 
those are some of the highlights.  I’d like to see [Justin Bieber](http://www.justinbiebermusic.com/)
in 8&9, that would be dope!”_

_ _**-Describe 8 and 9 in three words.**

** **_“Strength In Numbers.”_

_ _**-What’s your fave design from your brand?**

_“Everything 2013 is my favorite. It just keeps getting better.”_

 

[[

Rapper, 2Chainz and DJ/Producer, Funkmaster Flex

 

_ _**-Your sneaker game must be on point. Is that a requirement for your crew or
any woman you’re dating?**

 

** **_“My sneaker room is definitely a few hundred deep and we all came up in the
sneaker game. But, I’ve never dated a girl that was really into sneakers.  I think
I like them in heels.”_

_ _**-The**** Hype Girls ****is huge on promoting education. Express your views 
on education. Do you think it’s helped you with your success?**

** ****_“_**_Education definitely promotes success. There are just so many types
of education and knowledge. I’m blessed my parents instilled values that developed
my character.  I beat the odds graduating college after my high school class had
the highest drop-out rate ever reported at that time. And on the flip side, I had
a lot of work experience and street knowledge. So I’m a big advocate of higher education.
At the end of the day success comes from learning, soaking up all you can, living
and working to gain practical experience. Formal education is one necessary piece
of the puzzle to becoming well rounded in life, career and even entrepreneurship.
So kids, focus on school! Then look back and decide later how it helped you!”_

_ _**-What advice would you give entrepreneurs that are just starting off?**

** **_“You really have to be built for the journey. Especially if you’re not starting
off with tons of money. Just make sure it’s the life you want. You can’t clock out
at 5. When you’re sleeping, your business will be closed. It progresses only when
you push forward. Be prepared to sacrifice. If you make it, the rewards are sweet
but the odds are against you.  You can do it if you’re hungry, commit yourself, 
build the right team, stay humble and bust your ass to actualize your dreams.”_

_ _**-What inspires your designs?**

** **_“I built 8&9 as a diverse brand so we can draw inspiration from anything without
it seeming out of place. A lot of our designs do come from elements of a street 
lifestyle. Sneakers, hip hop, “Gangster” movies, politics even pop culture.”_

_[[

_ _**-Everyone has their own way of working…How do you get your creative juices 
flowing?**

** **_“Our office is surrounded by galleries and creatives so I’m inspired, walking
around. If I’m at my desk there’s usually music on, anything from Cormega to Dead
Prez, Good Music artists, 90’s Cali Punk to the Ramones.  If I really hit a creative
block I’ll be at the house on the balcony taking in the view. Being around the water
always clears my head and renews that energy.”_

_ _**-Any plans for an 8 and 9 ladies line?**

** **_“I’m really committed to focusing on our core, giving our male customer a 
more diverse product line and rounding out as a full street lifestyle brand. So 
for now, we’re only making tees women sleep in.”_

_[[

_ _**-Speaking of the ladies, all of them want to know… Is Mr. 8&9 himself, single
or taken?**

** **_“I’m going to pass on that one and maintain proper separation of “church and
state” __J__”_

_ _**-Any shout-outs?**

** **_“Maaaaaaaaaan s/o to all of our customers & the retailers who had confidence
in their own taste to buy from us even before people were asking for the line. Salute,
my man [Ray Figgs](http://twitter.com/Figgs8and9), without him we’d never have gotten
here. Much respect to my team, they know who they are. S/O [hypegirls.com](http://hypegirls.com/hype-exclusive-8and9-hypegirls/)
we love you, thank you for everything.”_

_ _**-The Hype Girls love 8and9 too! Tell the fans where they can stay up to date
with all things 8and9!**

** **_“[www.8and9.com](http://www.8and9.com)__ is the best place to shop.  Shipping
is fast and free. Follow [@8and9](https://twitter.com/8and9) and 8and9 on instagram”_