That Nashville Girl

Daniel Diamond: Building Nashville’s Most Recognizable Fashion Brand

Amanda Adams Season 1 Episode 19

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0:00 | 44:54

How do you build a fashion brand worn by Carrie Underwood, Gwen Stefani, Shania Twain, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Megan Moroney, and some of country music’s biggest stars?

For Daniel Diamond, it wasn’t a carefully planned business strategy. It was a series of unexpected moments, relentless creativity, and saying yes long before he felt ready.

In this episode of That Nashville Girl, Daniel shares the real story behind building one of Nashville’s most recognizable fashion brands, from fulfilling early orders through a personal Gmail account to hand-rhinestoning an entire truck over three months and creating a brand rooted in community as much as fashion.

We talk about:

• Building a business without a blueprint

• Moving to Nashville and starting over

• Landing celebrity clients including Carrie Underwood, Gwen Stefani, Shania Twain, Miranda Lambert, and Maren Morris

• Taking creative risks before anyone believed

• Why community became Daniel Diamond’s greatest strength

• The lessons every entrepreneur can learn from trusting instinct

Whether you’re building a business, pursuing a creative career, or simply love hearing the stories behind successful brands, this conversation is packed with inspiration, honesty, and practical insights.

Follow on Instagram: 

Daniel Diamond @danielrmusto

Host Amanda Adams @askamandaadams

That Nashville Girl @thatnashvillegirl

Don't forget: new episodes drop every Tuesday with bonus episodes on Thursdays! Like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to make sure you never miss a minute!

Connect with Amanda on That Nashville Girl Instagram, Amanda's Instagram, and YouTube.


SPEAKER_01

Guys, welcome to the show. Meet Daniel Musto, founder of Daniel Diamond.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, also known as Teeny Diamond.

SPEAKER_01

Also known now known as Teeny Diamond the First.

SPEAKER_03

And the last.

SPEAKER_01

And to my right, we have Teeny Baby, founder of Teeny Baby.

SPEAKER_03

The babyist.

SPEAKER_01

That's my name now. The baby is all we decide.

SPEAKER_03

Teeny Baby Spice.

SPEAKER_00

Yes.

SPEAKER_03

There you go. Teeny Spice.

SPEAKER_00

Teeny Spice.

SPEAKER_03

I love a brainstorm riff where you're just like, we all throw things on the table until that something sticks at the end.

SPEAKER_01

Yep, this is how it happens. We're on the same.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, it's like we're in a right, but there's no music.

SPEAKER_01

Right. We're in a right. I love our version of a co-write. Welcome to the fun.

SPEAKER_03

Well, thank you for having me. What a treat to be here in the gulch. Like just enjoying sunshine and each other.

SPEAKER_01

I know. During CMA Fest, you've been like doing all the things. Where have you been today? Kane Brown?

SPEAKER_03

I was at Kane Brown's. We stop, I stop by every day. We have a pop-up down there, and it's just like a lot of like Zach John King and Ella Langley like blasting through the speakers while you're trying to dress people, which is fun for the drunk person. But when you're the stylist on the other side of the counter, you're like, oh no, another McKenzie. Oh, another McKenzie.

SPEAKER_01

And then like last weekend, you did the rodeo.

SPEAKER_03

Rodeo and NASCAR. I bet that was into NASCAR and our NASCAR vibes. Like, are they not discussing this with each other to not overlap? Because this is a lot on us down there.

SPEAKER_01

Do we think that there's an overlap in the audience though? I don't know.

SPEAKER_03

Well, that was the purpose of our collaboration that weekend. So we collabed with NASCAR and Toyota, but we also popped up at the rodeo. And it was a way of like realizing that the rodeo customer and the NASCAR customer could like find each other through rhinestones.

SPEAKER_02

Oh.

SPEAKER_03

And feeling fabulous. And like we're in, you know, we dress all the country artists. And we always say we put a stage under everyone we dress, like whether you're Carrie Underwood or a fan, but I was like, we're putting a bull under everyone we dress. We're putting a racetrack under everyone we dress. I'm like, what else are we putting under you? And when do I get to lay down?

SPEAKER_01

And you showed up with your rhinestoned Toyota.

SPEAKER_03

I did. Yeah. I have we have a rhinestone tundra, which is just three three months of labor. And it traveled. We did a rhinestone road trip.

SPEAKER_00

So yeah, we start. It's a car. It's amazing. It's a truck. It's a truck. It's a truck. It's a truck.

SPEAKER_03

Big man truck. It's like a shabbuzi-sized truck.

SPEAKER_01

Big man. Yeah, big man truck. Cool. Let's get shabozy in the truck.

SPEAKER_03

He'll fit. That's the only truck he'll fit. But we started it at the rodeo in Vegas. We live rhinestoned in front of Riley Green's shows with um the partners AEG and then Toyota, of course. And then we live rhinestoned at the Super Bowl at the entrance. You can tell I'm like at these super macho events doing something really so Daniel. So we were doing it there, and then we premiered it at um Stagecoach Festival. So it got to have its big premiere at the Toyota activation there, which was just so cool under the lights to see this thing. And we put like a stage under the truck, which was so sick. And now it's here.

SPEAKER_01

And now it's here. And I'm dying. Like we need like a little teeny baby Daniel Diamond, that Nashville Girl Collab downtown with a truck.

SPEAKER_03

So we even just need a teeny truck.

SPEAKER_01

That'll be a teeny truck.

SPEAKER_03

Because ours, this took three months to rhinestone the full size. I feel like give me a Hot Wheels, and I'll get it to you by the end of the day.

SPEAKER_01

So what you're saying is this isn't something you're gonna be selling.

SPEAKER_03

We actually've talked about it. And I was like, if a Saudi prince rolls in and is like, I need one of those, we're gonna be like, we'll get to work. Like, there's a way to do it. But I also know that through Daniel Diamond and our resources, like we love creating one-of-a-kind things for all of our fancy clientele, but we also have schmancy clientele, you know, and that's really my people. So at the end of the day, we want something that can feel like a piece of the truck that you can take home with you, or slight embellishments that we can do to your truck to make it feel like the superstar. We call her Betty White.

SPEAKER_01

Oh, I love.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, you gotta feel like Betty baby.

SPEAKER_01

Betty, Betty. Um, before we go way down the diamond rabbit hole. Which we're going down. We're about to go down. But down with our tequila cowgirl drinks.

SPEAKER_03

Oh, this is like they've rhinestoned the cowboy hat and my drink. We'll get a tight shot, but it's like I mean to look into like I'm like, this is what birds see when they fly over me on Lower Broadway. I'm like, oh my god, birds are so lucky. How lucky they are.

SPEAKER_01

I have to do it, you know. Our client can get that for you later too. We'll give it a big thing.

SPEAKER_03

Let's talk about them real quick. Quick story. So any bird, is it good luck when a bird poops on you?

SPEAKER_00

Yes. I'm gonna say yes, because if that happens, obviously it's gonna ruin your day. Is it?

SPEAKER_03

So it's just like, or is it a mental thing? Because I was in, I was in at Tortuga and a bird pooped on me in the pool. Then I went to stay with Kelsey Ballerini and Katie Neal in New York.

SPEAKER_02

Yes.

SPEAKER_03

And just after that trip, it was like the whole thing. I was like, a bird pooped on me, it's like gonna be the best weekend of our lives. And it was. Then a bird pooped on Kelsey when she was with Reese Witherspoon. That was a whole thing. And then I was like, dude, three for three always. And a couple weeks later, Katie texted. She texted me. Kelsey was like, bird pooped on me. What? I'm like, I'm a witch. I'm a bird witch.

SPEAKER_01

I'm really excited now if this happens to us. I mean, honestly, get rid of the umbrella.

SPEAKER_03

Let's see what happens.

SPEAKER_00

Let's see what I need to remove it.

SPEAKER_03

I think it's maybe the new guy.

SPEAKER_00

This feels like a blessing. He landed that plane. That was really my heart.

SPEAKER_03

Um, so yes, that's my quick bird story, which I had to get off my chest.

SPEAKER_01

I think I'm really glad you shared that with us. What I don't think is good luck is what happens to me. They die around me a lot. Like, I am the queen of like the dead bird. Like, I was on the phone with you this week, and I was like, excuse me, I have to keep this bird from dying. It landed on the back of the page.

SPEAKER_03

Now you're a bird nurse, too.

SPEAKER_01

I guess, yes. A rescuer. Rescuer. I was like TBD on this conversation. So I like yours much better.

SPEAKER_03

I um, you know what? Birds are our friends. They're the only living dinosaurs we have left, so we have to treat them with love and care. I learned that on Netflix.

SPEAKER_00

Are they really?

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00

I can see it.

SPEAKER_03

That's a whole nother podcast. If you want to do that, when we wrap this, I'll tell you all about the dinosaurs.

SPEAKER_01

Okay, but like so back to the truck, and also actually, this stays real with the birds. Because what if a bird poops on Betty the tundra?

SPEAKER_03

Okay, just like just like our cowboy hats that we rhyme stone and Megan Moroni's guitars. If you you can use like a damp rag, rubbing alcohol goes a long way.

SPEAKER_01

Like on the back of this vest, it would work too, huh?

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, you can use rubbing alcohol. Or like if you actually have like diamond cleaner, yes, like jewelry cleaner, put a little on a rag and wipe it off, it'll it's fine.

SPEAKER_01

Okay. What if it rains on the tundra?

SPEAKER_03

Then we have a wet rhinestone truck.

SPEAKER_01

So it's totally fine. It's not like these matte cars, you know.

SPEAKER_03

What I've learned working now in the automotive industry is that a lot of the things on our cars are glued on. And we use an industrial grade glue that like might be half illegal for us to have in this country, but it stays. We're just breathing that in. We wear gas masks when we do everything. But okay, that's it.

SPEAKER_00

Are they bedazzled?

SPEAKER_03

Not yet. Okay, I guess it's like the chicken or the egg kind of thing. You're like, how am I supposed to make it? Like you've only got to get two. It's like yeah, it's so crazy.

SPEAKER_01

I bedazzled one time. I just wanted to say this. I what y'all do is hard work. Because for my niece who's sitting over here, you met Savannah. Um, the the Taylor Swift, yeah, the Eras thing, and she wanted the costume. And we were like, what you want, you get in our world. So my friend who's also sitting over there, we made we said we can do this. And no, and now I understand like the intricacy. I'm like, and are you blind?

SPEAKER_03

So you get a little blind. I'd say if someone asks you to rhinestone something for them, this should be your answer.

SPEAKER_01

Call Daniel.

SPEAKER_03

No, not even that. Like, great. Call me if call me if you want us to do it. We'll do it. But just say, wear the outfit as is, and then just tell AI to make it sparkly in your photos.

SPEAKER_00

Oh my gosh.

unknown

Oh my gosh.

SPEAKER_03

Rhinestone this. Literally, you can like you can add it all later. If you're in it just for the photos, like, don't waste my time.

SPEAKER_01

Now we have to do that.

SPEAKER_03

Or stop by the Daniel Diamond Airport store and buy something pre-made already.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah. How long have y'all had the airport store now?

SPEAKER_03

It's been 11 months.

SPEAKER_01

Wow. I remember the first time I saw it. I was like, what is this?

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, it's in the new concourse, which is Southwest, which is just so fun because like we built our brand in the beginning on the free two free bags that they used to have, like doing trunk shows all over the country. So now we get to like rub elbows with all of the flight attendants who knew us so well. Oh, yeah. And give them little gifts and stuff here and there. And it's a it's a blast. But the first year of any business in a new location that has no history, you're really learning like price point, what your consumer's looking for, like what type of products? Like, is it wearables? Is it books? Is it sunglasses? Is it jackets? Like, we're really learning what she and he like.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah. So what is it like in the airport? Yeah, I was gonna ask us too.

SPEAKER_03

It's like the DMV, but we sell sparkly stuff.

SPEAKER_00

Well, I'm curious if people are like coming into Nashville and they see your store and they're like, oh my gosh, I'm gonna do it.

SPEAKER_03

We have super fans who will be like, Mom, go get my bag at baggage claim. I'm running in there to get something. And we have this gorgeous Broadway girl necklace with Uncommon James that we did with them. And it becomes something that, like, if you have it on on Lower Broadway, everybody knows that you're like in the clan.

SPEAKER_01

Oh, and you can buy it at the airport.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, it's a great price point. It's under 60 bucks, and it's just like, you know, it's a little nod to that, like, you know, I'm a Broadway girl myself.

SPEAKER_01

That's so crab. You do have the best. I was saying this to Paige, who I just adore, by the way. He works.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, Paige is our stylist at Daniel Diamond, who typically is answering all customer service that involves celebs or someone's personal style.

SPEAKER_01

She's amazing. She did this fast so fast, and we'll show the back later.

SPEAKER_03

But like she's got speedy hands when it comes to those rhinestones.

SPEAKER_01

She was so speedy, and she's amazing. But we were talking about how cool it is that you do have all price points.

SPEAKER_03

We do.

SPEAKER_01

I love that. Well, there was demand. Somebody wants to have rhinestones.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, and it's you know, most brands start like what I've learned doing this. Most brands that just like hit the market have about $10 million to play with and do whatever they want. We did this just with our own capital with our best friends and like started making things one after the other. So that the price point was high in the beginning because we were literally like making them with our hands and sourcing vintage and buying expensive materials and putting them together and had to, you know, still make a profit. But then as you grow and you have some capital that comes in from sales from that, you can then devote it to mass production, which is where you get the price point lower. So we were able to work with some really amazing partners, and Lonnie, my business partner, is our creative director who makes sure that like the cut is right. Like even this vest that you have on now. We started the company with our best friend Emily, and she hated a denim vest because it reminded her of like middle school and being made fun of, and like it's just feeling dorky.

SPEAKER_01

So well, we've never worn a denim vest. I just want to say, and now I have two.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, we designed, we literally designed this one to feel more like a moto vet. We were like, if she can look like she could ride on a motorcycle in it, then we don't want to do it.

SPEAKER_00

It's perfect, it's a totally different vibe.

SPEAKER_03

It is. There's like the moto girl. So Lonnie made sure that we had a whole cut that felt cool, and also something you can layer like over a hoodie in the winter when you go to a concert and you want to be in just like leggings and comfortable, but still have your bling.

SPEAKER_00

Oh, I'm gonna. I think that's so smart because you make it so approachable, like it can be whatever you want it to be. I love when you call me smart.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah. FYI. I needed that. Yes, um, but also it's like it's it's jewelry with fabric attached. It's like another way to wear jewelry, which has just been a treat to watch the way people remix it and do different things.

SPEAKER_01

I have, you saw this earlier. So I did um some episodes for this CMA fest in my Winona vintage that has sleeves like yours. I'm obsessed with that.

SPEAKER_03

That's the one with the really vibrant color you got, right? Yeah, she's that photo of her is just epic.

SPEAKER_01

It's amazing. So you also take like old concert t-shirts.

SPEAKER_03

We do.

SPEAKER_01

And new. You've got some Taylor Swift ones I saw recently.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, we get them always pre-owned. We love something that like I love knowing that something has been somewhere already. Like the first time Carrie Underwood wore us on stage, I was like, if only the truck driver who wore this, driving to like Florida from Alaska eating Burger King knew one day, like American Idol superstar Carrie Underwood would be wearing it at his end.

SPEAKER_01

But what was the piece that she wore?

SPEAKER_03

She had this, you'll see it on Instagram. It's like this acid wash um crop jacket, super oversized, and she was performing as a surprise with Dwight Yoakum, and she almost wanted to put Yokum on the back, but then her team realized, oh no, she's gonna come out and sing a few songs before he comes out. We can't give it away that fast. So we found an old photo of him from a men's fashion magazine that had embroidery on the back of a blazer that was like floral. So we like took a photo of it, imposed it into our machine, used our local partner's ranger stitch to like build it out, and then we blinged on top of that. So it has this really cool thing that's like all hand done and built to honor him.

unknown

Oh my god.

SPEAKER_02

That's so cool.

SPEAKER_03

I was I always I cry. I'm a cancer. So like I'm in the audience just like weeping. There was like a six foot nine man who probably works this amazing blue-collar job holding me, just like making sure I'm okay.

SPEAKER_00

But it's all in the name of fashion. You know, you gotta feel those feelings.

SPEAKER_03

You have to, you have to feel it through. Like an our business partner Emily, who inspired so much of this and hated denim vest, is no longer with us. And I look at her life and I'm like, there were she was so healthy, but I knew she loved these little cheeseburgers, and I was like, I hope she had that cheeseburger that day, you know? Like, I hope she ate that thing and did that thing and lived on that last day. And it's like anything can happen.

SPEAKER_01

No, this is for my team. This is for Emily. Cheers for Emily. Cheers for Emily, honestly. Cheers, cheers. I your tributes to her have been so pretty, and I think it is inspiring to think about like just um like living life to its fullest. Like yesterday, I was down down for the CMA crazy, and there was this The CMA crazy. The CMA crazy I'm in the city.

SPEAKER_03

I'm calling the CMA foundation and telling them I demand a rename. I demand a rename here.

SPEAKER_01

I mean, it is there, right? It's amazing. CMA Crazy Crazy. And I saw this old man.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

And he had on like some cool blue like gym shorts, a t-shirt, a little like something over it, and headphones. And he was having a party all by himself, yeah, all by himself in the four seasons lobby. And I was like, I have to know what's in those headphones. Like what is happening, what is going on? Is there noise in there? Is there? So I chase him out.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

And on the street, I say, What are you listening to? And he then puts the headphones on me.

SPEAKER_03

Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_01

And I'm like, Oh, it's a vibe. It actually really was a good vibe. And so then we have a total impromptu dance party in the street, and then he comes back in the four seasons. The dance party continues. And I was like, you know, this is such a reminder to just like live every day. Yeah. Like, nobody's watching. Eat the cheeseburger. Like, enjoy life.

SPEAKER_03

I love not knowing what's in someone's headphones and then finding out. Like, that's so cool.

SPEAKER_01

Yes.

SPEAKER_03

And also your story you're telling is like such an Emily story. Is it funny story about Emily? Which is just like what is so built in our brand.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

I did the AIDS walk in LA like 15 years ago with Richard Simmons and all these people. And she came with me and met a couple girlfriends of mine. And one of them a week later goes, I think I just saw that friend that was with us, that Emily. I think I just saw her in Santa Monica. And I'm like, What where? She's like, It was in the parking lot of 7-Eleven dancing with a homeless person. And I said, There's no doubt in my mind that was her. I would put my entire savings account on that being her. So it's that moment like that, like taking the headphones. I like that you like turned a silent disco into a public disco.

SPEAKER_01

We did it. We totally did it. But now I actually love it more because I really believe in signs. And like for that to happen, and then you'd be here, it's like I actually feel like that's Emily's way of saying here.

SPEAKER_03

She was with us yesterday. She's gonna take care of you tomorrow.

SPEAKER_02

That's amazing.

SPEAKER_03

The little signs are everywhere. There's a book called Signs. Anyone who's lost someone close to them, especially suddenly, there's a book called Signs that want to hear a sign. A friend of mine came to visit after she passed away and was, she shows up with like a tote bag, and the book is in her tote bag, and she didn't put it there. I'm also like, did you shoplift? Like, did someone throw it in there like you're gonna be detained at the airport? Like, but she just was like, I have this book in my bag I didn't put there. I think it's for you. So, like crazy. Great book, great book. Easy to find. She's like, also I think that's a good one. That's a country song. I just got chills and I'm in the sun. Kenny Chesney, I got one for you.

SPEAKER_01

Your next co-writes right here. Let's go. Okay, so the Carrie Underwood story makes me want to know this. What was the first artist that wore Daniel Diamond that you were like, holy shit, we're doing this?

SPEAKER_03

Okay. The holy shit probably happened organically first at a bar called the Abbey in LA. I was wearing a jacket, and Sam Smith was there. And his story, like the history of me, I was a stylist before the brand, and I used to work with the Spice Girls during their first comeback tour. Spice girls were playing. Sam Smith asked if he can put my jacket on, and we have a video of him spinning around in circles to the Spice Girls, and I was like, this is crazy.

SPEAKER_01

I'd like to get off this ride. The signs are here.

SPEAKER_03

I have chills. Um, but that was the first aha where I was like, okay, people with taste and cash like what we're doing.

SPEAKER_00

Taste and cash. Those are my people. Both of those things, I think.

SPEAKER_03

But also, you know what? Broke people with no taste end up in my lap too, and I love them as well. I could name a few, but I won't. Uh, and then after that, we got a jacket on Gwen Stefani when she had first started seriously dating Blake. And you know, when there's like rumors and you're like, are they dating? Are they not? We don't really know. But we had that moment, like the football player and the cheerleader, where she wore a jacket from us, she put Blake on the back, and she surprised for the very first time a performance with him at the forum in LA. And when she wore the jacket out and had that experience, she obviously felt like all Daniel Diamond people do now. And she ended up finding a photo that we had tagged that night of her and reposting it on her story and grid and tagged us. So we were still Daniel Diamond at Gmail at this time, and we were getting like orders on our emails, we didn't know what to do. It was just like super fan.

SPEAKER_01

What is happening?

SPEAKER_03

And the jackets were like $1,500 at the time. So it was these people with cash and taste hitting us up at our Gmail trying to get customs.

SPEAKER_00

You were like, oh my god.

SPEAKER_03

That was the moment where we're like, holy shit.

SPEAKER_01

I remember this thinking, yeah, because I was probably one of those people that was instantly like, wait, I want one. And at that point, that would have been insane. I wouldn't think so. I can't. Um these days I would make insane decisions and be like, deal with it later.

SPEAKER_03

We might all just Oh, we didn't have afterpay the way we do now. People afterpay our stuff all the time. And I'm like, don't call me in six months when your husband's fissed because I have nothing to do with this.

SPEAKER_01

Like, I'm no liability in this. You're like, love your life. Oh my gosh. So that's when it kind of all blew up.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, that's when it blew up, and that was like the Oprah effect, which we're still waiting for the actual Oprah effect.

SPEAKER_01

I mean, hey, let's danfest it. Yeah, let's do it. Danifest it. We've been dan, we've been manifesting without you, and now we're danifesting.

SPEAKER_03

I've actually sat in Oprah's office chair at her studio in Chicago before when she wasn't there. Hashtag creepy. But like I got a tour of it all through a friend of mine back in the day, and she did write me a thank you. There was a moment where she was pushing, like not texting while driving, and I made sure my team didn't do that. And she wrote me a little thank you. So it's like kind of been in the stars already.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, you get you're getting a little crumbs.

SPEAKER_03

She's got that new body now.

SPEAKER_01

She's got the new sassy body, and you know those cute little sweatpants you have with the bling. Yeah, they're my favorite getting ready pants. Like, honestly, Oprah, those will like easily make her favorite things list.

SPEAKER_03

Oh my god, those she needs she and Gail and those just like touring America again. Remember that? Yes. Uh that would be my one of my dreams if we're Danifesting, right?

SPEAKER_01

Add it to your little list. We have a teeny list over here, you know, mental list. We're manifesting, Danifesting. Danifesting is way more fun.

SPEAKER_02

It's fun, right? Yes, it just works.

SPEAKER_01

Okay, Megan Moroni, like Cloud Nine is one of my favorite albums of this year. So the guitar and also the Tennessee bling that you did for her. Tennessee Orange. Um, give us all the deeds.

SPEAKER_03

It all started organically. Megan and I got to town around the same time, and I had friends and maybe people on the team who knew her and introduced me. I think we were often just like at the same bars or at the same shows. I was actually at that show where she's singing Tennessee Orange and no one's listening.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

I was there. I guess I was one of them. But um, we all regret that moment. But when she ended up releasing Tennessee Orange and it was climbing the charts, I have a friend named Rob who was like, I see that you have this orange, like one-of-a-kind jacket at the store. I feel like your friend Megan, who has this song, might be interested. And I DM'd her and I said, I have this jacket if you need it. And she's like, Oh, we're good. Like, she didn't know that she had a whole music video about to happen. And she's like, We don't really have anything happening. She talked her tail a few days later and was like, Wait, we're shooting a music video. Can I send my manager to come grab it? So her fabulous manager Haley, who's still like the best with us, she stops by our store. I had these boots Carrie Underwood had her stylist had ordered, and she didn't pick them up from our boot line. And I was like, What size shoe is she? Like, if she's Carrie's size, she can have these for the video too. So she sweeps the boots, she sweeps the jacket. Megan ends up coming by at some point, too, to try things on. It's all kind of a blur. Well, she wore it in the video, and then it became an outfit for a year in the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum, which was featured with Casey Musgraves, which was just epic. And it was just so fun to be with Megan at the uh the grand opening of it all. And that's sort of where it started. And then obviously, there were a few things we gave her after that just to keep her going on the red carpets and stuff, because there was no stylist. And then after she had her stylist for a bit, I was like, I had these dreams. I was out of these dreams of like, Rhinestoning something bigger than we have before, which is why the tundra happened. So I literally was like buddies with the Gibson team, and Jordan at Gibson is just the best. And I said, I want to rhinestone a guitar for Megan Moroni. She's a huge Taylor Swift fan. She's been so great tagging us on Instagram and stuff. And we're just a baby brand who doesn't pay people, but I always like to pay it for pay it back. So showed up to her shoot for her New Year's Eve performance at in certain maybe the stage. I think we're at the stage on Broadway. And I surprised her. I'm gonna emotional because it's been such a journey with her and like to watch her take that guitar with her everywhere. And she texted me that night and said, This is the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me. She's a young girl being pulled in a million directions. And I just was like so I just so says it says so much about her character that she even thought to thank me in that way. And I'm sure she's gotten plenty of other things since then. But at the time, you were there first. I was you know, it was just something that, like, yeah, I have a marketing brain and I have this brand, but like everything is so organic and just in the Nashville community, and it's like so many people just recommending people to each other. So the reason we're sitting here today is just because Tiffany's a dream and like makes personality connections. So I feel like that guitar is truly just the result of that. And now it's her signature, like Tate McCrae or um who's the one with the podcast and a billion dollars. Like when they tease that Megan's coming, not me, but I'd love to be that yeah. Cooper.

SPEAKER_01

Oh yeah, Alex Cooper. Alex Cooper.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, I want to say Stacey Cooper, one of my clients in Miami, who I love so much. Um, but when they Megan's gonna be on the show or an appearance on stage, they tease with the guitar and like the world knows what that means. And that's just like that's just my like token of appreciation for someone I you know you know in my life. So it's been really cool to watch it.

SPEAKER_01

It's symbolic of so many different things.

SPEAKER_03

I have these tangible items that we can present as like piece pipes to people and just be like, I appreciate you, you appreciate me. Here's a token of our brand. And it's been really fun to have that because as a stylist, it was sort of like, you know, I got some jewelry that the designer didn't mom back, you want some, and it has nothing to do with who I am. But yeah, these tangible pieces that represent the love Lonnie and I have for the community is just really cool.

SPEAKER_01

It is community, I feel it. And it's cool that, like, um, you know, I I love how things come full circle because I met Tiffany through a really random thing. I don't know, Tiff is standing out here. This was like 10, 12 years ago, something like this. And we've talked about this, like how that thread continues to like weave through things. Of course, and you said that beautifully that like she weaves perfect like personality combinations. But then I got to know your team and Tiffany was totally right. She was like, You will love them. This is before I'd even met you. And I was like, Oh my gosh, like you guys are so good at making everyone feel like you're a Megan Moroney star.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, and that's the thing. It's like Megan Moroni and her fans both come to us with their hard-earned money looking for Daniel Diamond, and we treat them all the same. Of course, like as things grow, and there's only so many hours in the day. I wish I had more, but you try so hard just to give everyone that moment. You know, I was just stopped on the way here on Broadway by like fans of probably the artists first, and then they discover me and Lonnie and the company. So it's just so fun to like also be on the ground, like Lainey Wilson's hard to hug, Dolly Parton's hard to hug. It's hard to get a hold of them. But my ass is out and about. So if I can make you feel like you're part of our family, that's what my job is.

SPEAKER_01

Love that. Yeah, you are out and about.

SPEAKER_03

I am out and about. And about and my mom tries to keep up, and the feet are just screaming. I'm like, I told you to wear more comfortable shoes, Mama Donna. I am on the run. I don't even count my steps because I know I'm hitting them every day.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, you're like, I'm just running. When did you that's true, but the Apple Watch is blinged out.

SPEAKER_03

It is. I love that. It is.

SPEAKER_01

But when did you move from LA to Nashville?

SPEAKER_03

It's now, I think, six and a half years ago. It was 2020 and it's now 2026. So I'm not a mathematician, but I think that's six and a half years.

SPEAKER_01

And also 2020 math is weird.

SPEAKER_03

So yeah, that year was long and short. I don't know.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah. Why did you decide to make the move?

SPEAKER_03

Every time I visited Nashville prior, I would like visit Shannon Ford and all these fun friends of mine out here, and or be here for work. I'd be styling a shoot for somebody or insert idea here. Any opportunity I had, I'd be here. I'd always like either miss my flight because of too many tequila shots, or I would purposely choose to stay longer. But either way, I never took the original flight home. And I was like, there's some gravitational pull happening. So it was COVID. I went to New Jersey where my family was, because I was supposed to host an event for coach in New York, this whole thing, and it got canceled, and we were told to stay home. And we were like, everyone over 55 is gonna die, so stay by their side. Yeah. So I stayed with my family and friends and kind of just worked, prepped Daniel Diamond, built a website from there. And after like two and a half months, I was like, okay, everyone over 55 is not dying. But if they do, it's because I strangled them with my own two hands. So I need to go see it.

SPEAKER_00

We've all been there. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

So I called my roommate Aaron in LA, and I was like, I think I'm done in LA after 18 years. I was like, I want to go to Nashville and try it out. So I tested it out for two weeks here. Just got an apartment. Shannon Ford helped me find this place in 12 South. And then we had like Carly Pierce, Caitlin Brown, Summer Party, Raylon, Lauren Elena, like all the stylists for everybody coming through my like little apartment with samples I had. And I was like, the neighbor was like, What are you selling? Are you selling drugs? Like, who is this?

SPEAKER_02

Who are all these?

SPEAKER_03

I know every single face that walked into your apartment, but it was just proof that like we're supposed to be here. And it was that week that we got on Shania Twain and we got on Miranda Lambert and Marin Morris. And I think Diplo wore us around that time as well for the first time. So I was like, okay, I love it here and it loves me.

SPEAKER_00

It loves you back. It just made sense.

SPEAKER_03

I, you know, move my buns here. Lonnie and I drove across the country, filmed it all in a GoPro, which we've done nothing with.

SPEAKER_00

Wait, we need to see that.

SPEAKER_03

I think we just have like a day where we like crack crack open the time capsule on the big screen at Soho House and like do it popcorn and see what see what documentary in the making.

SPEAKER_00

How long was that road trip?

SPEAKER_03

Too long. It was like four days, maybe, because we did long. We just listened to Oprah like Super Soul Sunday the whole time.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

And got like trashy food everywhere, which is my kind of it's kind of my dream life if I'm honest. Oprah and a burger is kind of all I need every day.

SPEAKER_01

It is actually kind of perfect. Uh but I love a good Nashville love story because like I do feel like that's what I mean. That was part of like why this podcast kind of came to life. Was that like we're all that Nashville girl. Yeah. You know, in some way, we're all that Nashville girl or that Nashville guy that's like you have this love story with the city that accepted you wherever you were and whatever you needed. And it gives back. It's like a real living thing.

SPEAKER_03

It does give back. It's like there's there's Native American energy here if you look it up. There's like a lot going on under the ground. And I think it is like the like allergy bowl that we are also lends to like the thing, the magical things that happen here. And like for a gay guy like me to move to Tennessee was not easy. Yeah. But I felt so supported by the artist community here. And like, you know, being in LA, if you're straight, you're weird. You're like, ooh, you're straight. Like Paris Hilton at Pride, I think, had a shirt the other day that said, Stop being straight, which is hilarious. But I'm like, it's just I went from one world to another. So it was really magical to be embraced. Like two days ago, I was at the Billboard Power Players event, and of course, Miranda Lambert, gay brother, comes up to me, gives me all the love. But Hardy comes over to say hi. And it just dumped out of me because I have such a sweet relationship with him, where I was like, hey, cutie. And I gave him a big hug. And he walked away, and I was like, Lonnie, am I the only guy who's ever called Hardy? Cutie. And I'm like, I don't think you gotta liked it. Like there's just like a nice relationship I have with all these people, and it maybe it is a little refreshing.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, your energy is refreshing. Yeah. Yeah. I'm so glad to hear that too.

SPEAKER_03

That you uh of course there's some like homophobes on Broadway who've never been to a big city before and are nervous and they see me in these outfits and they just have to like yell something mean in my face. But like they probably just want to make out, right?

SPEAKER_00

I mean, for sure. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

I know anything about bullies growing up.

SPEAKER_00

Yep, they just want to make out. I'll follow you around with a martini and throw it on them. If someone's being mean to you, they just want to kiss you. They just want to make out. Yep. I'm I'm stopping that back in my mind.

SPEAKER_01

Does it track for you? I do know it's a little bit probably.

SPEAKER_03

I think mid-thirs, like your 20s, you start to get some teasers that like you're actually not ugly, she just is.

SPEAKER_01

And that's another country song. Somebody call marine.

SPEAKER_03

You're not ugly, she's just miserable. Yeah. I think Megan Moroni does a good job at sliding those little one-liners in her music.

SPEAKER_01

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_03

But at the end of the day, if they're taking you down, it's because they got nowhere to go.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah. It's really true. It's easier to think that in the sunshine with people around you, where you're like, I love you both and everything is happy. But it is in the moment, I love that you don't let it get it down. You get you down.

SPEAKER_03

I have my moments, but I got Emily in my back pocket and she's like, I've been listening a lot to like, you know, when you ask questions in your head and the voices ask questions. I didn't realize that the answers were also from me until recently. Because it's almost like you asked the difficult question and you're distracted by your phone or you have to go. Lately, I've been like taking a second and been like, and I hear it, and I don't know if it's her or me or who, but it's the right answer every time. So it's this fun little podcast interview I have with my soul.

SPEAKER_01

That's really cool.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, and it doesn't give you what you want to hear.

SPEAKER_01

Right.

SPEAKER_03

Right? Like I'd like to be a billionaire tomorrow, and it thinks that I have another 20 years on me, you know? And I'll probably spend it so differently.

SPEAKER_00

I think that Saudi Prince might be coming soon to buy the trucks.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, there's a Saudi Prince of Fat Check, right?

SPEAKER_00

You know, never know.

SPEAKER_01

Also, when you businesses start with $10 million. Did you have a moment where you're like, so not us? Did you have that?

SPEAKER_03

I was like, No, I was like, literally, I told someone how much we a very prominent woman from the Hamptons who like started a jewelry line that we all know and love.

SPEAKER_01

Tell us.

SPEAKER_03

And I told her what she's like so fascinated by what we've built, and I told her what we built it on.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

And she was like, she thought that that was she was like, she thought I added a zero. That's what it was. She thought it was like way, way more. Yeah. And I was like, no, no, no, take that zero back. She's like, how did you do all of this? And I said, Nashville. So many things that people pay for in the world come for free in this city. And I don't know what you're pushing or what you're coming here with, but if you figure out how to like make it all work, even like if you have, if whether you're selling a food product or a fashion product, every location in Nashville is down to have you for free. No one is like, pay me to shoot something here or have a product shot or a mixer. Like there's so many places to just congregate and take photos and videos for no cost whatsoever. And it means you can spend a little more on something else that day or put the money into something. And it's been like a really cool testament to what like they just want people to like succeed here.

SPEAKER_00

Because everyone's a creator, it's an entrepreneurial city, which I love.

SPEAKER_03

And everyone who's from here has heard someone around the world be like, Nashville's slow, Nashville sucks, Nashville can't do anything. So it's almost like they're investing in you as an artist to be like, show the world, yeah, what we've got. Yes, it's your job. Yes, show the world what we've got.

SPEAKER_01

And I love that people show up for each other in the way that you're talking about. Like, you want to come play here for free? Like here at Wanna Spoon, she's adorable. And she like was like, I have this space and I want writers and songwriters to just come play. You want to do a writer's round? Come play. She was like, Should I charge people? Maybe. I'm not, am I going to? No. And I'm not sure.

SPEAKER_03

It's also like her business is fab at 12 South, right? Like, yeah, let the kids pay the bills who come in for the product. Yeah. And the adults can benefit from like the overhead being covered by your other community. It's like that's the way to do it.

SPEAKER_01

Yes. Because she also knows what it's like to have people help her. And I think that's what it is. Everyone's paying it forward wherever we can, however we can. And it's um, I always say that I feel like it, you know, you feel it. Like when you touch down at VA or you drive in, it's an energy shift.

SPEAKER_03

First time my mom ever came, she gets in my car at um baggage claim and she was like, You were right. There are so many hot guys. And then I was like, that's an energy we have here.

SPEAKER_01

Oh, but really? Are there are they only at the airport?

SPEAKER_03

Um, I know, right? They just stay at baggage claim to make everybody think there's more when you get to the city. They're hired to just like be a baggage claim.

SPEAKER_01

You're paid actress, Donna. Um, is her name Donna? Yes. Sadly, I think they're paid actress at baggage claim. Which by the way, kudos to our tourism for that. But um, yeah. Okay, so what's next that we don't you've done it all. Like you've done NASCAR, you've had the tundra, you've dressed all the stars. Is there anybody? I want to know this. Like, is there anyone on your radar that you were like, hey, this is the next next one we're danifesting?

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, next one we're danifesting. Um, locally, oddly enough, we've never touched Ella Langley. Like that has never happened. Really? We've like walked the carpet next to each other at some industry stuff, and I've seen her, but like, unless they say like hi, I like, you know, I get funky, you know, and it is wild that like you'll talk to someone who's like Alice, Alice, Alice, and they're like, Oh, I love your stuff. And you're like, you know who I am. I still have your poster in my office. Um but Ella would be someone locally we want to work with. Um and then outside of it all, I have Lady Gaga dreams. I actually was at her house for a party like two years ago in the backyard, and it was like there was so much competition with everyone around me trying to get her. We were calling her Stephanie. It was so cool. But I was like, it wasn't the time and place to be like, hey, bitch, where's my take some of my but it felt like a moment where now I'm like I can always say, Oh yeah, I met you at your house.

SPEAKER_00

You're in your house.

SPEAKER_03

When I see her somewhere else, I feel like that'll be a way of doing kind of a doorway in, maybe. Yeah, and she was just so awesome and so smart and poised and cool. Like she'd be one I'd love. And we also, we actually sent a jacket, our Dallas jacket, which is rose, gold, and blue, to Britney Spears, who like I used to be buddies with 20 years ago. And I just have these like fantasies of like these dances in her house just being like covered in Daniel Diamond Rhinestone.

SPEAKER_01

So it would take this to the next level.

SPEAKER_03

So just be on the lookout. I do get an alert every time Britney Spears posts on Instagram, just in case.

SPEAKER_01

So I mean, but can you see it? The twirling and the vibes would take on a whole different. Yeah, the fringe. I can eat it.

SPEAKER_03

She might whip too hard. I don't know, but rip Britt might play for you that shit. We might lose an eye, but you know what? It was worth it for Britney culture.

SPEAKER_01

Totally be worth it. Oh my gosh, this is so fun. So I feel like CMA Fest is now CMA crazy. Yeah. And it's also the Daniel Diamond Fest. Like you've got your own little vibes going on. And this is gonna be, you know, obviously after CMA Fest. So they're gonna see all the Came Brown footage and be like, oh my gosh, I wish I had been there. Yeah. But for people who aren't here right now, they can find you online. Yeah. Right. You can shop online.

SPEAKER_03

There's new technology we're using because we've realized that we have like we have people who come from out of town, tourists and friends. And we say that like they usually come once a year, once every two years. But some people even have the Nashville fetish and come like two or three times a year. Yeah. Because they just get so turned on by the energy. Nashville fetish is like, you can use that. Yeah, it's a good thing. Actually, name a cocktail that I mean done already. I want no credit, but it's gonna be at the top seller.

SPEAKER_00

It'll be bedazzling.

SPEAKER_03

But um, we we love entertaining them when they're in town. And then they'll go back home and we'll have like access to the website. We're available via text and DM and all the things. But we're like, how can we always be with them? And how can we always give them a taste of that natural fetish? So we've taken the technology from TikTok and Instagram live, and now we have our own app where you can tune in at any time of the day. We could be anywhere in the world bringing you shoppable conversations. So imagine right now we're chatting and you could be buying everything on us just out of touch. So we could also be like on stage at the Opry promoting our products now, launching there, or we can be backstage at a Megan Moroni concert, or we could be at Kane Brown's this weekend doing it there. So you're at home, you're seeing some of your favorite landmarks, you're seeing some of your favorite people selling some of your favorite things. And it's just cold launch this week. We like secretly did it just in case it totally didn't work. Um, but it seems to be working. We're handing out $25 gift cards everywhere so people can get a taste of everything. And you'll see products on there as low as $50. So, like, there's something for everybody, but everything has video content attached, and it's just so easy. So I feel like that's the newest thing we're doing that we don't even know, like we don't even know what it's gonna turn into. It's like the guitar, the guitar for Megan. We're putting it out there, like Dualipa says once I release it to the fans, it's their property. This is yours now. Use it as you'd like, let us know how you like it, and know that you're getting alerts on your phone that are like Daniel Diamond Live with your favorite country star at your favorite place. Like, and you can just tap it and watch. And there's no commitment to shop whatsoever. Like, my dreams are just to access you on your couch while we're here in the mix of it all.

SPEAKER_01

It brings people into the mix. Yeah, it's your community, it's what you so is it like on the app store?

SPEAKER_03

It's just like oh, it's on the app store, Android, iPhone, Daniel Diamond Live is what we're calling it because like TRL is one of my favorite places growing up. Like I used to go to TRL, like there's footage of me on the dark web of me like crying when the Baxter Boys were on. I've been to Britney Live Baxter Boys and Same Time. Like it is, I usually relate like let it into the wild once every couple years for new friends to get a taste of it. Me with my little glasses on, I was such a nugget. Um, I've made him so proud. Now we dress the Baxter Boys. The Bakshee Boys collab post with us like last year from Vegas.

SPEAKER_00

And I was like, all right, yeah, you're done that happy. You did it.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, so we could get to rhinestoning.

SPEAKER_00

Wow. Oh my god.

SPEAKER_03

But we wanted to feel like that. Like that feeling we all had coming home every day at three o'clock and being like, instead of what are the top 10 videos, I want to be able to see like what are the top 10 things in Nashville I need to own and see, but like get to watch us with our community. It's just so fun. And Kelsey Ballerini released her app the other day, which is so cool. And our other best friend Katie at Odyssey, Katie Neal at Odyssey, she has her app. So I was like, I bundled them together and like took a little screenshot and sent it to the girls in the group chat. And I was like, look, we're together.

SPEAKER_01

That is so cute. I love it. Okay, well, we're gonna download it.

SPEAKER_03

The app world is the new email world, and you get to create your own like fantasy adventures every day on your phone, and it's just such a cool thing.

SPEAKER_01

It's such a cool thing. So on the app, they can find you, and then on Instagram, Daniel X Diamond.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, X. There's an X in the middle to represent the sparkle and the rhinestone because some fabulous like 19-year-old boy named Daniel Diamond has it without the X. And if you're out there and you'd like to give it to us, we'll take it.

SPEAKER_01

I like the X though. I actually love the X. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, it's it's fun and it adds a little spice, it adds to that like Nashville fetish. The X is just such a hot word because you know what it rhymes with.

SPEAKER_00

Rhinestone.

SPEAKER_03

Rhinestone. Yeah, it does. It totally rhymes with rhinestones.

SPEAKER_01

TV rhinestones.

SPEAKER_03

No, but yeah, find us wherever we're at.

SPEAKER_01

Okay.

SPEAKER_03

You know, we're here to we're here to be with you. Come shop with us in the airport store. If you can't come there, find us online. And you know, it's fun. We do Zoom calls all the time. Like people think I'm so untouchable, like Lonnie's so untouchable. We're like, we zoom all the time with clients around the world so that they could feel great about what they're purchasing, and it's really fun.

SPEAKER_01

So fun. So fun. Okay, last question.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Well, I usually just ask this as like general life advice, and you can give us that too. Yeah, I love life advice. But I also want your fashion advice. Okay. Like, give us fashion advice.

SPEAKER_03

I'd say find what makes you feel excited, buy it, and then wear it. Filling your closet with exciting things that you have nowhere to wear is just such a sad thing for you to look at every day. So make sure that things are exciting you. And I always say, too, like, I found myself asking multiple people in my world advice on what I should wear. Do you like this or that? Like, assign one person in your life who truly wants the best for you. And just be like, is it okay if I randomly send you things I want to buy or outfits I want to wear? And just have that be the narrative. And it's okay if you're not theirs. You know, like that's one way to really just like, you know, I can't be with you in every room, but I think the person closest to you who wants the best for you is sort of like me.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

And we'll probably pick the same thing I would. So that's a fun way. Or just DM us photos of your outfits.

SPEAKER_01

I love it.

SPEAKER_03

And we'll break them down for you.

SPEAKER_01

You'll be like, yes.

SPEAKER_03

And also utilize AI for fashion advice too. Like tell Claude or ChatGPT everything about you and like also what life you'd like to have. Like, if you don't go to enough concerts or you want to date more, like let it know that there's some really great advice it can gather from all the editorials around the world and like get plug some stuff into your life.

SPEAKER_01

That is such good advice. Such good advice. Hey, I need to find my fashion bestie now that I'm gonna text.

SPEAKER_03

Wear Daniel Diamond.

SPEAKER_01

Yes, and also wear Daniel Diamond because it's fabulous and everyone looks good in it. Everybody feels happy in it. Yeah, yes.

SPEAKER_03

I'll say it's like it's wild to see people who have issues with their body appearance or their age, or they're almost like up like mad at their sparkly friend for bringing them into the store because they wanted to go somewhere else. Everybody leaves with something.

SPEAKER_01

Yep, I believe you. You do have something for every everybody, like everybody and everybody.

SPEAKER_03

We try. Yeah, we try. We love that. You know, we are a small company still, and you know, you have to be careful where you put the capital and invest it in, but we try every time to split it so that people of all sizes and backgrounds and price points can have something at all times.

SPEAKER_01

Cheers to that. Cheers to that. Like I said, we love you. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_03

Our best.

SPEAKER_01

We try our best. That's all you can do.

SPEAKER_03

What a treat to be here.

SPEAKER_01

Cheers. Thank you for being here.

SPEAKER_03

To be outside this long, too, is such a treat. I think CMA Fest, when you're working like us, you find yourself in these like windowless dressing rooms and things. So it's really a treat to be outside with you.

SPEAKER_01

Well, thanks for braving the heat. We're soaking it up. I can't wait to go Danifest my dream line. Everybody danifest your dreams. I feel like the heat diamond.

SPEAKER_03

The heat like kicks the peptides in.

SPEAKER_00

That's right. That's what I'm gonna tell myself.

SPEAKER_03

It's like pressing the on button for all the things I'm plugging into my body.

SPEAKER_00

That's right. Love you. I love you. And we love you.

SPEAKER_03

And everybody here.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah. Sometimes a girl's gotta find her way. On her own, free to room, make mistakes.