Eric Giles shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Eric , we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I’m most proud of building a career that’s genuinely authentic to who I am. Over the years—working across fashion, consulting, and performance—I’ve intentionally carved out a space that reflects my interests, values, and curiosity, rather than trying to fit into a predefined lane. I hope that space makes it easier for others to do the same in the future.
From the outside, someone might see social media posts about clothes, cars, or classical music. What they don’t see are the hours of practice required to work in the classical music industry, or the years spent thoughtfully building an audience and a point of view. That invisible work is what’s allowed me to move into roles across artist management, fashion, and higher education—and it’s the part I’m most proud of.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Dr. Eric Giles—a music professor, artist manager, stylist, and branding consultant. My work sits at the intersection of classical music, fashion, and entrepreneurship, helping artists build careers that are both sustainable and authentic. I run Classically Styled Musician, a consulting and styling company focused on career development and visual identity for musicians, as well as Eriva Studios, a lifestyle brand rooted in creativity and design.
What makes my story unique is the way these projects speak to one another. On any given day, I might be booking concerts for classical artists, styling Grammy-winning musicians, working on my businesses, or mentoring the next generation of classical musicians. It’s a full schedule, but it’s intentional—and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The first time I visited New York City fundamentally changed how I see the world. I grew up in a small town in Alabama, where it felt normal for everyone to know everyone’s business. That environment made me acutely aware of how I was perceived and deeply concerned with being watched or judged.
New York was the complete opposite. The city is constantly in motion, and what struck me most was realizing that no one was paying attention to what I was doing—and I found that incredibly freeing. Instead of feeling uneasy, it gave me permission to exist more fully. I began developing my personal style, approaching networking with intention, and letting go of the anxiety that had held me back.
New York taught me to be unapologetic. Once I understood that most people are focused on their own lives, I gained the confidence to focus on building mine.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely! Finishing my doctorate was one of the most challenging journeys I’ve ever undertaken. Every step of writing and defending my dissertation made me question whether I could continue—I seriously considered quitting and finding a “cute” office job instead. Honestly, without the unwavering support of my friends and family, I might have. I’m incredibly grateful that my community didn’t give up on me; their encouragement made all the difference.
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. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
This might be controversial, but I think more people need to be a little delusional—especially about their own goals. Life is tough, and it’s easy to convince yourself that big dreams aren’t realistic. But I’ve seen how one bold decision can completely change the trajectory of life. I refuse to buy into the “system” that tells people to suppress their ambitions. With a clear vision and confidence, anything is possible.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
If everything—my name, my roles, my possessions—were gone, I think what would remain is still the same kind, ambitious country guy. At my core, I just want to help others whenever I can. Life would probably look a lot the same… just without the fashions, haha.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ericoboegiles.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eric_giles_/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-eric-giles-030a70ba/
Image Credits
Jose Negrete
