Ep#402 Ben Perkins: Building &Collar: A Journey from Kickstarter to $11 Million Revenue

The Growth and Scaling Podcast with Todd Westra

The Growth and Scaling Podcast with Todd Westra

Explore &Collar's triumph with Founder Ben Perkins! From Kickstarter sell-outs to a projected $15-16 million revenue in 2024, learn the secrets of their success.

Ben spills the beans on overcoming color issues, COVID-19 marketing hurdles, and rapid expansion challenges. His tips? Start on Shopify, invest wisely, prioritize customer feedback, and avoid rushed expansions.

Get inspired by the secrets behind their comfy shirts and entrepreneurial wisdom. Don't just wonder – tune in for an exclusive look!

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Ways to connect with Ben Perkins:

• Website: https://andcollar.com/

• Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andcollar

• Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andcollar/

• Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminhperkins/

• Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/andcollar/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcF-JbtJVtu96tOIHZC673g

What’s in this podcast episode?

00:33 Who is our guest for today and what is his business

00:43 How he started his business

03:12 The story of how he started &collar

08:37 What was the process and inspiration behind starting a business involving clothing manufacturing, particularly with Chinese source manufacturers

10:02 How did his peers react when he launched his stretchy dress shirt business on August 1st, 2017, using Kickstarter and seeking support from friends and family, despite the unconventional approach

11:26 What was the initial approach to fulfilling orders for a business based in Utah, and what factors influenced the decision to hand-deliver orders locally, despite potential inconveniences, during the early stages of the business

12:48 captainscouncil.com

15:22 What was the initial business strategy and challenges faced by the entrepreneur in the summer of 2019, and how did the involvement in pitch competitions and the advice from Utah VCs impact the decision to continue the venture

17:22 What was last year's revenue, and what is the projected revenue for this year

18:20 How much funding did he secure to achieve the current stage of growth and positive cash flow in his story

20:25 What challenges and obstacles has he encountered in the growth of his product-based business, considering the complexities and difficulties often associated with such ventures, and can he share insights into the major hurdles he's faced during the development and expansion of his business

24:27 What are some key pieces of advice for someone starting a consumer-based business, including insights on sourcing, manufacturing, platform choice, and avoiding certain pitfalls, based on his experiences

27:43 What advice did Jeremy Andrus, the CEO of Skullcandy (now Traeger Grills), give regarding product development and customer feedback, and how does it emphasize the importance of not relying solely on surveys but rather on customers' actual purchasing behavior

29:33 Someone that he wanted to give a shoutout that inspires him

I highly suggest you watch this entire exchange between Ben Perkins and ⭐️Todd Westra 📈

If you're looking for tips and strategies to grow and scale your business, this episode is for you!
Full episode details here: https://links.growthandscaling.com/402

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