Another Wednesday, another Interview on my Influencer Series! As of right now, this will be my last Interview!!!
I am so excited about this one. For my last post in the Influencer Series, I got the opportunity to interview Sydney (Durso) McArthur. If you have heard of the amazing clothing store, Live Love Gameday, then you for sure know this babe. She is the founder and creative director of the brand and she has just been killing the game for YEARS. Sydney started her career as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and then went on to be a Dallas Mavericks Dancer (GO MAVS!) before retiring her pro dancing shoes and getting married to the man of her dreams. It was then that she really took this clothing line and grew it to what it is now. Sydney is not only an extremely talented dancer, she is also the sweetest soul. She will do anything for her family and friends and is an extremely kind and loyal person. I am so honored to say that I know her personally and I have just LOVED seeing her grow as a business person and individual. SHE IS AMAZING. Be sure to follow her on instagram (personal and Live Love Gameday).
The Interview
1.When did you start your clothing line? Why?
What I love about life is that sometimes you find yourself doing something that you never even imagined you would be doing…but it is exactly where you are supposed to be. As a little girl, I always said I would be a veterinarian or a doctor. I wore my shirt tucked in to school {even though that rule was supposedly a myth} with my glasses on and my hair slicked back in a bun so I would be ready for ballet class immediately after. I graduated high school in three years with honors and immediately started at the university. My life was always go, go, go but I absolutely loved it. Then…one day…everything changed…and I was about to love what I was doing…even more. In 2008, I traveled from McAllen, Texas to Dallas and auditioned for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders at Texas Stadium—a few days after my 18th birthday. I had no idea what I was getting into! I made the team a few months later and officially moved to Dallas. Year after year passed, and each one was filled with memories and experiences I will forever cherish. After 7 seasons, the field was truly my “home.” My last season (2014-2015) cheering, it was my turn as “group leader” to give my group a gift on game day {we rotate it each game, there are usually 8-10 in each group}. I wanted to design something different and memorable. I kept repeating in my head, “Well, we are always with each other on the field. This stadium and this field are our home away from home. Perfect! Home is where the field is!” I came up with something that is sporty yet feminine and that conveys the message of how much we love football. I created a few of these tanks for my group, however when the other girls saw them, my order list began to grow. From there, alumni cheerleaders wanted them and girls from other NFL teams. In January of 2015, Live Love Gameday® was born! I created an Instagram account {@LiveLoveGameday} and began reaching out to other NFL cheerleading teams and NBA as well. I never once said who I was or what team I cheered for. I was just “Live Love Gameday®.” I wanted people to fall in love with the unique designs and company. I even had friends writing me asking if I could contact LLG for them and get them a shirt. No one knew that I was the owner, and it was a pretty cool feeling! It wasn’t until May 2015, after I retired with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, that I came out and announced that I was the owner of Live Love Gameday®. I’ll never forget that moment! Since then, LLG has grown beyond what I ever imagined and I couldn’t be happier! I love creating new tees and tanks for sports fans everywhere to wear on game day to show their love for their team(s). I now have football, baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, hockey, hunting, fishing, men’s tees and more. Home Is Where the Field Is® and Live Love Gameday® are both officially trademarked, and LLG recently became licensed collegiately beginning with Texas Tech, UNT and Rice University. I will continue to work hard and be creative in my designs, and I look forward to what is next for Live Love Gameday®!
2. What has been a challenge you’ve overcome? For business or anything in life.
The biggest challenge for Live Love Gameday® is staying on top of new designs and styles. Both are always changing, and if I don’t take the time to research and design each day, LLG can easily fall behind. Home Is Where the Field Is® will always be our original design and our staple. I release it on a new tank or tee or long-sleeve every few months to keep our website fresh and updated. On top of that, I like to release fun and witty game day sayings that are unique for sports fans everywhere. I always get emails about different sports/hobbies. I remember when I was about to release: “I vow to always love you, even during hunting season.” I thought, “Will this sell? Do enough people love hunting that they would wear this tee?” Yes! That tee ended up being one of Live Love Gameday®’s top-sellers. In January of 2018 we will be releasing fun, new lifestyle tees that don’t necessarily have to do with game day. Then, LLG moves into a few more basketball and hockey tees, Super Bowl designs, Valentine’s Day sprinkled in there, racing season {which is absolutely huge for us} and of course, baseball season.
3. What’s your daily routine like?
I am not much of a breakfast person, but I recently discovered belVita breakfast biscuits. They are perfect for me because I am not into a bunch of textures and flavors, especially in the mornings. The golden oat biscuits are my favorite. I usually eat a few crackers plain, but if I have time, I will add in a banana or Greek yogurt. Next, I take my vitamins. My favorites include a combination of Lactoferrin and Probiotics. This combo {for me, personally} keeps my immune system going strong and kills any bacteria in my body and skin that could cause acne, colds, etc. I am a very “at home workout” kinda girl. I have space in my room, so when I wake up, I throw on my tennis shoes and neoprene ab belt and get in a quick 20 minute workout. It may not sound like much, but I am sweatin’ after! Next, a quick shower, and I am ready for the day! I work at my office/warehouse in Deep Ellum most of the day—filling orders, counting inventory, doing photoshoots, printing shirts and designing new tees. I love what I do, and I love the people that I work with. My daily routine is very busy, but I am thankful for each and every minute of it!
4. What is something many people don’t know about you?
I get pretty motion sick on long flights—I’m talking 10-14 hour flights—the short flights are fine. I can’t help it—it just happens! I’ve had flight attendants help hold back my hair for me before on a flight to Guam. Once on a flight from London to Dallas, we were on board with the entire Dallas Cowboys football team, coaches and staff. I could just tell…it was happening! Nobody else around knew what was going on, but they saw me slip into the airplane bathroom with the team doctor…it was pretty embarrassing. Let’s just say that was my first time getting a shot in my tush on a plane, LOL. Who wants to be my airplane seat buddy now? 🙂
5. What is a goal you have for your business? Is there something you want to see more of?
This year, my goal for LLG is to release more collegiate designs. Last season our collegiate designs were a hit, but this year I have a few creative ideas up my sleeve to make them even more unique and special, as well as we will be adding more schools to the list. Stay tuned!
6. Favorites! Favorite color, season, item of clothing, designer, retailer, movie, and holiday!
Favorite Color: My favorite color to wear is anything neutral—camel, vintage beige, mocha, taupe, etc. My favorite color in general is yellow. My favorite color of the season right now is deep rose.
Favorite Item Of Clothing: My favorite item of clothing right now would have to be anything incredibly soft—fleece sweaters, velvet leggings—anything super cozy and soft that can pass as both loungewear and a cute outfit. However, when the weather is warmer, my favorite item of clothing would have to be a bikini! 🙂
Favorite Designer: My grandmother surprised me with a gold Fendi bag when I made the DCC in 2008. It is still in perfect condition, and it has been through a lot. Ever since then, Fendi became one of my favorite brands. When it comes to clothing and fashion, though, I love to mix & match and be eclectic. I often wear brands I have never even heard of. If it looks fun and boho, I probably will throw it on and make it work!
Favorite Retailer: Aerie {and Live Love Gameday®, of course}
Favorite Movie: The movie Elf is just a must-watch movie. It never gets old!
Favorite Holiday: Christmas, of course. My husband and I begin listening to Christmas music the day after Halloween, and we don’t stop until the second week of January!
7. Who inspires you? Why?
My mom is my biggest inspiration. Hands down! I know that if I ever need advice on anything or ideas for work/life, she is there to help me, and I always trust her opinions! Another inspiration of mine is Joyce Meyer. I love her books, and I just love her attitude on life. She is positive and motivating, yet still real and relatable. I am currently reading her book Trusting God Day by Day. I read an excerpt from it each day and instantly feel a little more inspired!
8. What’s your guilty pleasure?
My guilty pleasure would have to be traveling. My husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas, and I said “I want to visit somewhere new each month this year.” What I have done is found a way to incorporate traveling and working for Live Love Gameday® together. For example, I traveled to Colorado a few times this past year, and each time I did a snowy photoshoot for LLG as well as worked on new designs after getting inspired by the world around me. Many of the designs from this shoot ended up being top holiday sellers. I was able to travel, work and spend time with the people I love which was the best thing in the world. Traveling is definitely my guilty pleasure, even if it means I need to work a little along the way!
9. What are a few words that describe you?
Ambitious, Loyal, Care-Free, Friendly, Silly
Isn’t she amazing? Like I said before, Sydney is such a kind and loyal person! She sure is an inspiration to me (and many others too!) and I hope this interview inspires YOU to go after your dreams and never stop working hard. Be sure to follow Sydney on her personal instagram and follow her clothing line along on that instagram. Don’t forget to shop all your favorite gamed gear (and holiday wear!!) at Live Love Gameday!
