TolHouse is proud to present the Take the Leap: TolHouse 2025 Entrepreneurship Grant, a program supporting Toledo’s next wave of visionary founders. Recipients gain a full-year TolHouse Membership, workspace at Panda Workspace, business mentorship, and opportunities to showcase their businesses—all designed to help entrepreneurs build their legacy in our city.
Meet William “June” Dunn, the visionary behind JÜNE and a 2025 grant recipient. June’s commitment to resilience, individuality, and bold design has made JÜNE a rising force in Toledo’s fashion scene. In this interview, he shares how his journey began, his approach to empowering clients through style, and his vision for making Toledo a destination for fashion and creativity.
TolHouse: Share the story behind your business, June. What inspired you to start it, and how has it evolved since 2020?
June: 2020, as the world faced so many challenges, I felt that same desire for growth mirrored in my business. The pandemic forced me to think differently about fashion and what it means to build a brand in tough times. I leaned into that energy and found ways to adapt, focusing on making designs that could speak to both practicality and style while resonating with people’s deeper aspirations. The brand—and myself—has expanded its reach, found new collaborations, and connected with a community of people who are as committed to growth as I am.
What started as a side hustle to express my creativity has now become a platform for personal and professional transformation. The evolution of JÜNE is about constant reinvention—just like the journey it represents.
TolHouse: What sets your styling and fashion services apart from others in the industry? How do you bring your unique vision to life for your clients?
June: What really distinguishes my work is the balance between personal expression and practical versatility. I approach styling with the mindset of creating pieces that not only look good but also serve a function—clothing that fits into a busy life while still making a statement.
My unique vision comes to life by blending influences from workwear, street culture, and high fashion, while keeping the focus on resilience, ambition, and individuality. I work closely with clients to understand their goals, then I use those insights to create a look that’s both functional and empowering. I believe in empowering my clients to feel confident in their clothing, helping them see their potential through style.
TolHouse: Describe your approach to personal styling and wardrobe creation. How do you balance incorporating your clients’ perspectives with your own take on fashion?
June: My approach to personal styling and wardrobe creation is all about collaboration and storytelling. I start by understanding my clients—their personality, lifestyle, and what they want to express through their clothing. I believe style is deeply personal, so I make it a point to listen first and get a feel for what resonates with them.
From there, I bring in my own creative vision. My designs often reflect themes of resilience, versatility, and bold self-expression, so I look for ways to weave those elements into their wardrobe while staying true to their unique perspective. It’s about finding that sweet spot where their story meets my design sensibilities. Proportions are key. I respect their input while gently introducing them to new ideas or unexpected combinations they might not have considered.
TolHouse: What are your long-term goals for your business, and how do you see it contributing to Toledo’s fashion scene and creative community?
June: For Toledo, my vision is to contribute to the fashion scene by showing that world-class innovation can come from the Midwest. I want to create opportunities—whether that’s through mentorship programs, local partnerships, or events that spotlight emerging designers and artists in the community.
By investing back into Toledo, I hope to inspire others to pursue their own creative paths and amplify the city’s voice on a larger stage. Ultimately, it’s about building something bigger than JÜNE—a movement that uplifts not just individuals but the whole creative community here in Toledo. Together, we can make the city a destination for fashion, culture, and inspiration.
TolHouse: What has been the most significant milestone or achievement for your business so far, and how has it shaped you as an entrepreneur?
June: The most significant milestone for my business so far has been launching each of my collections under “JÜNE.” Seeing an idea go from concept to tangible product and then into the hands of people who resonate with its message was transformative.
Each styling or designing moment wasn’t just about creating clothing—it was about telling a story of resilience, ambition, and growth, and realizing that story had an audience. Just being available for the opportunity is a milestone that I use as stepping stones to advance.
TolHouse: What challenges have you faced while building your business, and how have those experiences helped you grow personally and professionally?
June: Building my business has been anything but easy—it’s been a grind, full of challenges that tested my patience, creativity, and resilience. One of the biggest hurdles was starting with limited resources. It forced me to get scrappy and think outside the box, finding ways to make high-quality products on a tight budget while staying true to my vision.
Another challenge has been breaking through the noise. The fashion industry is saturated, and carving out a space where my voice and designs can be heard has required persistence and authenticity. I’ve learned that staying consistent and focusing on what makes my brand unique—like blending workwear with aspirational values—creates lasting impact.
These challenges have shaped me personally by teaching me patience and grit. Professionally, they’ve helped me develop sharper problem-solving skills and a deeper understanding of my craft. I’ve learned that every setback is an opportunity to refine, grow, and come back stronger. These experiences didn’t just help me build a business—they’ve shaped a mindset of resilience that fuels my work every day.
TolHouse: How has your partnership with House of Dow and projects like styling Isabella Weik influenced your business growth and brand development?
June: My partnership with House of Dow and projects like styling Isabella Weik have been pivotal in shaping my brand and fueling its growth. Collaborating with House of Dow exposed me to the power of storytelling through design—every piece, every detail carries a message. That philosophy has deeply influenced how I approach my own work, ensuring my brand stays intentional and authentic.
Styling Isabella Weik was a game-changer. Working with someone who embodies creativity and individuality pushed me to refine my craft and think about how my designs can adapt to and amplify someone else’s story. It also gave my brand visibility in spaces where bold expression and originality are celebrated, helping to expand my reach.
TolHouse: What role does community play in your work, and how has Toledo shaped your vision for your business and personal success?
June: When I think about personal success, it’s not just about individual wins—it’s about bringing value back to the city that raised me. Whether it’s creating opportunities, inspiring the next generation, or just showing that someone from here can make it big, Toledo is always part of the journey.
Community isn’t just a role in my work—it’s the foundation.
TolHouse: Talk about how you approach creativity in your work. How do you draw inspiration from influencers like Chenpeng, Kanye West, and Daryl Brown while building your unique brand?
June: I approach creativity as a process of blending raw authenticity with intentional storytelling. For me, it’s about taking elements from the world around me—cultural movements, personal experiences, and bold visions—and reshaping them into something that feels fresh yet familiar.
From Chenpeng, I admire how he redefines luxury with streetwear sensibilities, making avant-garde designs feel accessible and grounded. That inspires me to think about how I can take workwear or something functional and elevate it into a statement piece that speaks to resilience and ambition.
Kanye West’s fearlessness is unmatched. He takes risks, challenges norms, and stays unapologetically true to his vision. That energy drives me to trust my instincts and push boundaries, even when it feels uncomfortable.
And Daryl Brown—he’s from my city. I connect with how he brings authenticity to his designs, representing working-class roots while staying innovative. That’s the same ethos I’m building into my brand—creating something that feels both personal and universal.
By studying these trailblazers, I’m reminded to stay true to my identity while constantly evolving. My unique brand is about balance: honoring the grind while celebrating the glory.
TolHouse: Share a memorable styling project or client experience that reflects your mission to uplift and empower others through fashion.
June: TolHouse has a member named Isabella of the Toledo Mindfulness Institute. The opportunity to style her has opened so many doors for me through fashion. Like Isabella, I believe being a part of this is just the beginning of something greater.
Not only did we find fashion specific to her style, but we also connected over ways to bring fashion to the people around us.
TolHouse: What excites you most about being part of the TolHouse community?
June: I look forward to the community—changing my settings to not only learn but grow in the deepest parts of myself.
TolHouse: How do you plan to use the mentorship, networking, and resources at TolHouse to grow your brand and expand your reach in Toledo?
June: TolHouse is like a blueprint for greatness. It’s a place where visionaries connect and ideas turn into movements. I’d use the mentorship to refine the genius—because even geniuses need guidance sometimes.
The networking? That’s about building alliances—connecting with people who see the bigger picture to execute the vision at the highest level. Toledo’s got a story to tell, and I’m here to make sure my brand becomes a voice in that story—loud, clear, and unforgettable.
TolHouse: How does your journey align with the mission of this grant program to empower Toledo-based entrepreneurs?
June: It’s bigger than just me—it’s about creating something that shifts the culture. Toledo has raw energy and untapped potential, just like I do. I’m about taking that energy, flipping it, and showing the world what we’re capable of.
My work is about innovation, breaking barriers, and building something that lasts. I’m here to fuel the vision. Empowering Toledo entrepreneurs? That’s power to the people. That’s empowerment.
TolHouse: What message would you share with others in Toledo who are considering taking the leap into entrepreneurship, especially in the fashion industry?
June: Even in the worst of times, time is ever-flowing—so eventually, you come to a time where everything falls into place. As discouraging as “stagnant” times can be… just stick it out. Stay locked in. Stay focused. It won’t have a choice but to work.
