Sam Gregor
Met at: Texas visit/stay with Gary Met date: First Supper (referenced in transcript) - appears to be several weeks/months before 2025-06-21 Role(s): Creative Producer, Fashion Designer, Brand Developer, Grounded Co-founder Last interaction: 2025-06-21
Contact Information
- Has manufacturers in China (Shanghai, mentioned Xiaojong)
- Based in LA area
- Twin brother to Maddie Gregor
Personal Background
- Age 20, turning 22 in 4 days from the 2025-06-21 call (birthday around June 25, 2025)
- Twin brother to Maddie Gregor (born one minute apart, he was first)
- Attended OSHA (art school) with his sister - unconventional arts-focused education
- "I move like a 42 year old" - demonstrates maturity and business sophistication beyond his years
- Known for spontaneity - stayed with Gary in Texas for extended period after just meeting him
- Described by Gary as someone who "won't bore you with the details, but it really got so many people excited, but also got a lot of people scared because there was so much power that was being generated"
Educational Background
- Attended OSHA (Orleans School of Health Arts or similar arts school)
- Block schedule system: 3 classes per day (1 hour each), alternating days
- 6 hours daily in conservatories (specialized arts programs)
- Acting and Film conservatory participant
- Emphasizes the success of OSHA graduates: "every one of my friends that I grew up with in high school, is actively doing something with their life"
- Credits arts education with setting up comprehensive life success: "they're successful. And they're having fun, and they love their life, and they love what they're doing"
Professional Background
- Co-founder of "Grounded" - community-focused brand bringing artists together
- Also involved with "Liquid" brand (mentioned as having "two trees")
- Fashion designer and producer with comprehensive vision for creative businesses
- Has multiple business "branches" with "absolute potential make millions of dollars"
- Works with manufacturers in China for clothing production
- Creates custom one-of-one pieces and statement clothing
- Experience with technical design (tech packs, Illustrator, comprehensive design process)
Creative Philosophy & Approach
Community-Centered Design: "it's only about community and bringing artists together" Future-Focused Vision: "it's the future in my opinion. You know? It's like it's just bringing people together" Quality and Uniqueness: Focus on one-of-a-kind pieces that make statements Cultural Integration: Interest in incorporating cultural elements, especially Chinese-American aesthetics for Gary
Business Capabilities
- Manufacturing Network: Direct connections to Chinese manufacturers with established relationships
- Design Process: Comprehensive approach from mood boards to tech packs to production
- Brand Development: Experience building multiple brand "branches" with monetization potential
- Custom Design: Specializes in personalized, one-of-one statement pieces
Fashion Design Vision for Gary
Daily Wear - "Modern Sensei" Aesthetic
- Baggy cargo pants in various colors and silhouettes
- Button-up shirts and graphic tees
- Layering approach with bold statement pieces
- Wavy denim sets (special cuts Sam has developed)
- Gary-specific colorway possibilities
Speaking Events - "Commanding the Room"
- Vibrant statement pieces designed to be memorable
- One-of-a-kind items using different materials and patchwork
- Chinese-American cultural integration
- Focus on materials, dyes, washes for unique aesthetic
- ASAP Rocky creative director inspiration level
Cultural Narrative Integration
- Chinese embroidery and traditional elements
- Red, white, and blue color palette for American identity
- Chain stitch designs including Gary's name and dragon motifs
- Hand-woven yarn and traditional techniques
Airport/Comfort Fits
- Baggy sweatpants and comfortable silhouettes
- Perfect fit without being too baggy
- Versatile pieces suitable for casual errands or lounging
- Items suitable for sharing (girlfriend borrowing hoodies, etc.)
Connection to Gary's Mission
Texas Creative Tornado: Sam's visit to Texas created significant impact and energy around Gary's educational and community-building work Mutual Respect: Gary sees Sam as talented producer and someone worth mentoring Long-term Vision Alignment: Both interested in community building, education, and cultural impact Potential School Collaboration: Discussion of future school-building as natural extension of their community-focused work
Manufacturing & China Connections
- Multiple manufacturers in Shanghai and other Chinese cities
- Free accommodation and local support network in China
- Eager to coordinate China visits with Gary's plans
- Established relationships for both production and cultural exchange
Business Philosophy
Scale and Vision: "when we're the ones with, like, the fucking millions, maybe billions of dollars. It's like, yeah. We're gonna be the ones who can make those choices" Community Focus: Everything centers around bringing people together and building genuine connections Future School Vision: Interest in creating educational institutions that combine traditional learning with arts focus Quality Standards: "making everything self-explanatory" and creating cohesive brand experiences
Strategic Value to Gary
- Fashion and Personal Branding: Ability to create distinctive, culturally-integrated wardrobe supporting Gary's public speaking and leadership roles
- China Manufacturing Access: Direct connections for any product development needs
- Creative Community Building: Experience activating creative communities and cultural movements
- Youth Perspective: Mature 20-year-old perspective on cultural trends and community building
- Arts Education Insights: Personal experience with successful alternative education model
Current Projects & Future Vision
- Grounded: Community-focused brand bringing artists together
- Liquid: Additional brand branch with monetization potential
- Custom Fashion Development: Creating identity-in-motion wardrobe system for Gary
- China Manufacturing Network: Established production relationships ready for activation
- Future Educational Institutions: Long-term vision for schools combining community, arts, and practical skills
Collaboration Opportunities with Gary
- Custom fashion design for Gary's speaking events and daily wear
- China visit coordination and cultural exchange
- Community building and creative activation projects
- Educational institution development (future schools)
- Brand development and cultural narrative work
- Manufacturing and production support for Gary's ventures
Family Connections
- Maddie Gregor: Twin sister studying biology at USF, interested in naturopathic medicine
- Both attended OSHA arts school together
- Strong family support system for creative endeavors
Key Quotes
"I move like a 42 year old. You know? And like, the shit that we're taking care of and doing, like, it has, like, such there's just, like, a it's the it's the future in my opinion."
"every one of my friends that I grew up with in high school, is actively doing something with their life... They've had a I have friends everywhere. You know, I just am make friends really easily."
"it's only about community and bringing artists together"
"Gary's a legend, the nicest fucking dude in the world... And he's just the one making all the changes right now"
Notes
Sam represents a unique combination of creative talent, business sophistication, and cultural bridge-building capability. His spontaneous decision to live with Gary in Texas demonstrates both his adventurous spirit and recognition of Gary's transformational influence. His arts education background at OSHA provides valuable perspective on successful alternative education models that could inform Gary's educational reform work.
The fashion design services Sam offers go beyond clothing - they represent a comprehensive approach to identity and cultural narrative that could significantly enhance Gary's public presence and effectiveness as a speaker and cultural leader. His China manufacturing connections align perfectly with Gary's international collaboration vision.
His youth combined with mature business thinking makes him an ideal collaborator for long-term projects spanning multiple years and potentially decades. The mutual respect and creative energy generated during their Texas collaboration suggests significant potential for ongoing partnership.
Interaction History
- First Supper: Initial meeting that led to extended Texas collaboration
- Texas Stay: Extended visit/collaboration that created significant cultural and creative energy
- 2025-06-21: Fashion design presentation and strategic planning call with vision for Gary's wardrobe and potential China collaboration
Transcripts
| Transcript ID | Date | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-06-21-gary-sheng-sam-gregor-fashion-design-collaboration | 2025-06-21 | 2025-06-21 Gary Sheng & Sam Gregor Fashion Design Collaboration |
| 2025-04-22_alpha-high-misc_gary-sheng_michael-gendell_others | 2025-04-22 | Discussion about entrepreneurship, creative pursuits, and building community-focused brands |