How Royal Native Became a Cult Brand Without Ads : Hilary de Roy Interview

This week on New York’s Business Podcast, we sit down with Hilary de Roy, the vibrant founder of Royal Native, a one-of-a-kind fashion brand built from vintage towels, a strong sense of style, and even stronger business instincts.After 25+ years in the fashion industry—styling, managing boutiques, and working for names like Diane von Furstenberg—Hilary took the leap to start her own label. What began with a single pair of shorts has grown into a boutique brand known for bold, nostalgic pieces and a fiercely loyal customer base.🎧 In this episode, we cover:• How she scaled her one-woman brand to selling 2,000+ unique jackets• Why she chose to open a brick-and-mortar in a digital-first world• The marketing philosophy behind never paying for ads• Her pivot to direct-to-consumer and what “doing less, but better” really looks like• The power of creating something people can’t stop talking about (literally—her jackets get stopped on the street!)• The mindset shift that helped her tune out the competition and stay true to her visionHilary’s passion, resourcefulness, and authenticity are contagious—this is an episode for any business owner who's trying to build something meaningful and lasting.Follow @theroyalnative and stop by her shop in Locust Valley if you’re on Long Island!