Motom’s Post

This woman built a $110M fashion brand. And she started with $500 and a sewing machine. The company is called Aviator Nation and the founder is Paige Mycoskie. Here's how she did it 👇 → Paige starts in 2006 by re-stitching thrift store shirts. She rips them apart and remakes them with her own patterns. → People love her style and she decides to start selling them. She spends $500 to rent a booth at a beach fair and makes $8,000 in a single day. → Then she puts in a few years selling at local stores and trade shows. In 2009, Paige opens her own shop on Venice Beach. → Aviator Nation builds a cult following and grows steadily for a decade. But in March 2020, Covid almost kills the business. → Fighting to survive, Paige throws all her merchandise up on the website. She sells everything. It's a blowout. And then magic happens. → Her clothes start to flood the social feeds. Aviator Nation is everywhere and the brand reaches a whole new level of exposure. ______ Aviator Nation carved out a valuable niche in a crazy competitive category. They designed a great product. And they built a ton of loyalty along the way. When you have a strong customer community, they will build you an amazing brand. Better than a marketing team ever could. It happens on Instagram. It happens on TikTok. It happens on Reddit. And it happens in millions of DM's you'll never see. I love sharing stories like Aviator Nation who show us how it's done. #marketing #brand #growth

Crocs makes $250M/year on their charms. 🤯🤯🤯 Crazy! Here's the story: In 2006, a Colorado couple wanted to personalize their kids' Crocs. So they started making little charms that fit perfectly in the shoe holes. They began buying peace signs, happy faces, hearts and rhinestones at craft stores and gluing them onto cufflinks. Crocs picked this up and offered the couple $10M for the company. The family took the deal, and ~16 years later, the business unit brought in a quarter of a billion dollars. The company has gone on to make charms with: 🌼 Jimmy Kimmel 🌼 10 Corso Como 🌼 McDonalds 🌼 Balenciaga 🌼 Disney 🌼 Ranch 🌼 SZA AND SO MANY MORE... The breadth of partnerships is insane. And the creativity behind the charms have been a key part of the company's success and relevance. What are other companies that have opened doors like this with product extensions? I can't think of a better example than Crocs. P.S. I broke this story down earlier this week in my newsletter, The Branded Moment. Check it out in the 🔗 ⬇️. P.P.S. Do you have a favorite Croc collab?

Tinker Hatfield, the legendary sneaker designer behind iconic Air Jordans and Air Max. Tinker said, "It's not about you, it's about them." This quote serves as a powerful reminder to prioritize our customers and end-users in our marketing campaigns. By focusing on their needs, preferences, and experiences, we can unlock unparalleled success. Let's infuse Tinker Hatfield's spirit into our marketing endeavors and elevate the experiences we create for our customers. #TinkerHatfield #MarketingLeadership #CustomerCentricity #Creativity #Innovation #CustomerExperience #MarketingStrategy #DigitalMarketing #BrandEngagement #Inspiration #MarketingTips

Peter Ruis, executive director at John Lewis & Partners, kicked off Drapers Inner Circle Summit 2024 with a fireside chat about the next phase of the retailer's transformation. "Burberry is nothing without its check and John Lewis is nothing without "Never knowingly undersold". It’s about staying true to your brand." Find out more below. #JohnLewis #fashionretail #DrapersInnerCircleSummit

Here is some Monday morning motivation to get you pumped for the week.💪 This one is actually a 2 for 1 as it involves 2 inspirational people. 🌟 Firstly, are you following the incredible Devon Rodriguez on Instagram? If not, you’re missing out!🎨✨ Devon is not just a talented artist; he’s a storyteller who captures the essence of his subjects in a way that resonates deeply. His journey is inspiring in itself but for now, let’s talk about his latest interview with the legendary Tommy Hilfiger! https://hubs.la/Q02P2nvR0 In this post, Devon shared some fascinating insights from his conversation with Hilfiger. Did you know that the fashion mogul faced bankruptcy at just 25? 😲 It’s a stark reminder that even the most successful figures have faced tremendous challenges. What truly catapulted Hilfiger into the stratosphere of fashion stardom was the iconic "Hangman" campaign—a pivotal moment that you can read more about here: [GQ Article](https://hubs.la/Q02P2mvv0). "So, back in 1986, the arrival of his eponymous fashion brand was heralded by a giant billboard in the heart of Manhattan theatreland comparing the then-unknown Hilfiger with the triumvirate of American greats (and household names) - Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Perry Ellis." Tommy was super nervous at going this big, but this campaign turned Tommy into a household name and the campaign became legend. Moral to the story - Go big or go home If you appreciate art, creativity, and inspiring stories of perseverance, make sure to follow Devon Rodriguez at [@devonrodriguezart](https://hubs.la/Q02P2nj00). You’ll gain insight into the world of art and creativity, and who knows—you might just find the motivation to chase your own dreams! Stay tuned for another post where I’ll dive deeper into Devon's remarkable story! 🚀 #Art #Inspiration #DevonRodriguez #TommyHilfiger #Creativity #Entrepreneurship

This 27-year-old quit his dream job on Wall Street to start a fashion brand. Brandon Snower isn’t your conventional founder, and that’s precisely why I love his story and his brand, Le Alfré: → Background: Le Alfré is a men’s clothing brand, which “represents all of the great qualities that make us who we are as men: fun, cool, stylish, witty, classy, foolish, bold, elegant, etc.” Here’s the thing — Brandon didn’t wake up one day and decide, “I want to start a fashion brand.” In college, he studied Learning & Organizational Change, eventually landing a corporate job in investment banking. He started his dream job with high hopes: → Nice banker outfits → Wall Street hustle culture → Walking and talking a big New York life But six months in, the luster had worn off — he was dreading work and knew he had to make a change. Two years after he started the job, he quit and made a big bet on himself (at just 23): starting Le Alfré. He had no experience, knowledge, or connections in clothing. But he had a taste and a vision for a new way. Brandon traded 16-hour days on Wall Street for 16-hour days learning everything there was to learn about the clothing industry. He created the logo and brand, traveled to Europe to find manufacturers, and built the first site. His vision for the brand — a new menswear aesthetic: → Not the old money, old-fashioned expensive brand → Not the cheap, simple white-labeled brand He wanted high quality, yet a fun and playful element to the brand. In 2022, he launched his button-up shirt pattern with a contrast collar, inspired by a Wall Street trend from the 80s. From there, he hasn’t looked back, embodying both the playfulness and elegance that menswear was missing. → Fast forward to now, the brand has had dozens of collaborations, features like GQ and Gear Patrol, and a full team, and Brandon is telling his story through TikTok and here on LinkedIn. I love the simplicity of Brandon’s bootstrapped story as a founder — he had a vision, he had a belief in himself, and he went for it. It doesn’t get any more entrepreneurial than that.

💭 Reading Michael Kors' testimony during the Tapestry and Capri merger trial, I couldn’t help but think of how crucial #BrandArchitecture is in today’s fast-paced market. Something that was mentioned in this article that many businesses face but few address: brand fatigue. “Sometimes you’ll be the hottest thing on the block... sometimes cold.” This reminded me that even ✨iconic✨ brands can lose momentum if they don't constantly innovate and stay connected with their audience. A well-structured brand strategy helps prevent this by ensuring every element of your brand remains aligned with your audience’s needs, reducing the risk of fatigue. 🌟 If your brand’s framework isn’t built to adapt, it’s easy to fall behind — no matter how strong your foundation is. Understanding your brand architecture can make all the difference in staying relevant and thriving in the long run. #BrandStrategy #BrandArchitecture #BusinessGrowth #Innovation #MichaelKors #Tapestry #Marketing

Collaboration Spotlight: SPLSSH x Bolt We’re thrilled to highlight our ongoing partnership with Bolt, where creativity and innovation drive exceptional results! From custom-designed hoodies, T-shirts, sweaters, and beanies to car air fresheners and keychains, we delivered a range of tailor-made merchandise that perfectly embodies Bolt’s brand identity. Each item was crafted to reflect their dynamic, customer-focused approach—combining functionality with bold branding. At SPLSSH, we don’t just follow trends; we stay ahead of them. By integrating industry-leading techniques and sustainable practices, we ensure our clients—like Bolt—receive merchandise that not only stands out but also drives engagement and brand recognition. Curious how custom merchandise can take your brand to the next level? Let's make an impact together! 💡 #CustomMerchandise #BrandingSolutions #TailorMadeMerch #BoltPartnership #CorporateBranding #InnovativeMarketing #SustainabilityInBusiness #ClientSuccess

Bruce Nordstrom, a retail legend and the grandson of a Swedish immigrant, has passed away at 90. His grandfather, John W. Nordstrom, started a small shoe store in 1901 that Bruce would later transform into a retail powerhouse. Starting at the age of 9, Bruce swept floors, worked in the stockroom, and earned 25 cents an hour. Reflecting on those early days, he once said: "It was the Second World War, and I was sweeping floors, emptying shoeboxes, breaking them up, flattening them into bundles. It was hard work, as I was a skinny little guy". That skinny little guy, who loved retail and had an exceptional work ethic, would end up transforming his grandfather's shoe store into a retail powerhouse. I share this story with you, because it exemplifies what I call an 'immigrant mindset'. In my research of immigrant entrepreneurs, I have often come across their desire to do even the menial or seeming unimportant tasks with great passion and attention to detail. By paying attention to the task in front of you, and doing it with great care and love, you can transform it into treasure - this is what I have seen in my own life, and research confirms it. #ImmigrantMindset #BruceNordstrom #Nordstrom #AmericanRetail #BusinessLegacy #GivingBack #FashionRetail #HR #CEOStories #FounderStories #FamilyBusiness

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉 We're thrilled to kick off our LinkedIn journey and connect with our amazing community! 🚀 Follow our page for the latest updates on Carolina Shoe, Double H, and Phantom Rider. 🥾 Here's what you can expect from us: 1️⃣ Company & Brand News: Stay in the loop with the latest happenings, product launches, and achievements across all our brands. 2️⃣ Employee Spotlights: Meet the incredible individuals behind the scenes who make our brands shine. 🌟 3️⃣ Company Culture & Values: Get a glimpse into the values that drive us and the vibrant culture that defines our workplace. 4️⃣ Upcoming Events & New Styles/Products: Be the first to know about upcoming events, fresh styles, and new products hitting the shelves. 5️⃣ Industry Insights: Dive into valuable insights about our industry, trends, and what sets our boots apart. 6️⃣ Behind the Scenes: Take a sneak peek into the day-to-day workings of our brands and witness the craftsmanship that goes into each pair. Join us on this exciting journey! Connect, engage, and let's walk this path together. #CarolinaBoots #DoubleHBoots #PhantomRiderBoots #CompanyCulture #LinkedInDebut