Barclays Black Founder Accelerator 2022 member
Merch Masters
We work with aspiring clothing brand owners to start up and grow their clothing brands through our 9 step programme with support and guidance from seasoned industry experts.
Speed up the process of starting your clothing brand, minimise mistakes and set-backs, find a mentor and grow your network.
Why did you join the Barclays Black Founder Accelerator?
I wanted to get mentoring, open my mind open to new ways of thinking, get support for starting my business, increase my network and hopefully, get funded.
Why did you want to start your business?
In my career I have seen a lot of people try to start their own clothing business and fail. I've seen the common pitfalls and I believe they can be avoided, so long as the founders follow a proven system. There's too big a gap in the market for this problem not to be addressed, and I believe we possess the skills to execute the solution. On a personal level, I believe being successful in business will allow me to provide for my family and loved ones, create opportunities for young people who come from similar backgrounds to me, and ultimately allow me to leave the world in a better condition than I found it in. It'll allow me to make a positive mark.
What would be your desired outcome from this programme?
Increased network, a mentor, access to funding, our MVP up and running.
Which entrepreneur inspires you the most and why?
Marcus Lemonis. I'm inspired by the way he goes into failing businesses, puts his money up to save it, and transforms it. He gives those entrepreneurs and founders a second shot and changes their lives. When I grow up, I want to be like him.
What has been your biggest win in your entrepreneurial journey?
Getting my last business to over £250k in sales and becoming recognised in the industry. I did it all on my own in my mid twenties.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Having to close my last business. It was painful, but it needed to be done.
Where did you go for business advice and how did it help you?
Entrepreneurs Circle, a few industry peers, watching content from Entrepreneurs online. I gained a lot of knowledge, frameworks and perspectives that helped me to make decisions.
What drives you to make your business a success?
I'm hungry to create a better life for myself and my future children than I had growing up. I'm very creative and I'm bursting with ideas. Business allows me to be my full self without restrictions and solve big, challenging problems.
What advice would you give other founders thinking about starting their own business?
You won't have it all figured out, you won't know what you're doing to begin with. Start anyway. Build your network, seek guidance, be agile and adaptive. Keep an eye on your numbers. Solve one big problem for one avatar. Keep your business simple.