Halie Gary of Detroit on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Halie Gary. Check out our conversation below.

Halie, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Who are you learning from right now?
My Community
Lately, I’ve been connecting more through social media with artists who share a similar style—whether they’re based in Detroit, fellow anime fans, or just incredibly talented creatives. I’m rebuilding a sense of community that I didn’t have when I first started this journey. Even though my business is still small and orders are few, the support and warmth from this growing network has been so encouraging. It truly motivates me to keep pushing and give it my all!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Halie G
I’m a 30-year-old artist and small business owner, and the founder of Boum Boom, a brand I started in 2019 that blends my love for three things: my home, anime, and personal style.

My journey began with selling art prints, but over time I’ve expanded into clothing, shoes, and accessories. Today, my most popular items are press-on nails! After doing my own nails for over a year and learning through trial and error, I finally developed a process I’m proud to share with others.

Boum Boom was created for people like me—those who couldn’t quite find bold, colorful, and expressive fashion pieces in the mainstream market. I wanted to build something fun, original, and deeply personal.

The name Boum Boom actually comes from home—it’s a nickname my mom gave me, and it felt like the perfect name to represent both me and my brand.

I did take a break from the business during the height of COVID, but in the past few months, I’ve reopened and grown in the best ways—through confidence, creativity, and style.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Honestly, it might sound strange, but I’ve always felt like I’ve known who I am. There was never really a phase of trying to “find myself.” I’ve always loved anime, and I could read for hours—from dawn until dusk. Of course, I’ve grown over the years—becoming more well-rounded and adaptable—but I think anyone who’s known me for a long time would say I’ve always been true to myself.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely—I think about giving up all the time. Being an artist is already a tough path. We’re often undervalued, underpaid, and face challenges that many people don’t see. Adding the weight of running a business on top of that? It creates a whole new level of pressure.

After a long day at my 9–5, it’s easy to sit down and pour myself into my craft. But when the effort doesn’t match the revenue, it stings. It makes you question whether this is really the path you’re meant to be on.

That’s why having a supportive community matters so much. They see things in you that you might miss. Every time I’ve felt like walking away, someone reminds me why I started. And in those moments, I’m reassured—I am where I’m meant to be

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes—I truly don’t know how to be anything other than myself. Of course, I don’t share every part of my life on social media or in public, but when it comes to my work, I lead with authenticity. Every design I create is something I would genuinely wear. There’s nothing on my website that I wouldn’t proudly step out in myself.

I pour my heart into everything I make because I want people to feel that connection. My hope is that through my work, others feel inspired to join my community and find something that speaks to them too.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I just want people to take an interest in my journey—learn from it, build on it, and make it even better for the next person. We grow stronger when we support one another and push each other toward the next best thing. It only takes one person in a community to lift someone else up. Just know this: I’ve worked hard, and I truly love everything I do. Let’s hope I continue to build so that I can have a strong legacy!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.boumsroom.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boumsroom/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boum-boom/?viewAsMember=true
• Other: https://www.solo.to/Halieg