Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in fashion but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Benjamin Barnett, Co-Founder & CMO of Kapow Meggings, located in Sydney, NSW, Australia.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are Kapow Meggings, and we make men's leggings designed to supercharge your gym, fashion, and festival style. We're an American company started by two Aussie brothers, Ben and Jordan. Our products are designed in Australia and ship from Wyoming, USA. We sell to customers in over 50 countries. Our customers are everyday guys from all over the world who like to take a walk on the wild side and express themselves through their fashion choices.
Tell us about yourself
My co-founder and I had always worked with other people – ad agencies, corporates, tech brands – and we'd always wanted to create something ourselves. The idea for Kapow came at Burning Man back in 2009, where all the guys were wearing women's leggings because they loved the bright colors and crazy prints, but they couldn't find any made for men. And when it came to compression leggings for fitness, they only came in plain black. So we designed the kind of leggings we wanted to wear: loud, fun, with wild colors and rad prints.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Connecting with a community of like-minded men all over the world. Our customers are ordinary guys doing extraordinary things. These are guys who squeeze the most out of life and don't care what other people think. They're creative, fun, inclusive, and attack life with the confidence of a rock star. It's super inspiring to kit them out in the style of gear they want to wear and can't get anywhere else and to be able to hear and share their stories.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Prioritising. We love our business, so it can be all-consuming, and we want to work on it all the time. We're lucky to have patient and supportive partners and an adventurous family that embraces the quirky side of life.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- No idea is too small. You could have the most niche of niche products or services, but you can bet your bottom dollar it will have an audience. Your job is to find them.
- Make sure you have a product-market fit before going all in. Start with a side hustle if it makes sense, and once you're confident your idea is scalable and will pay the bills, be prepared for a year of hard work working two jobs – your dream job and your 'real' job – before you get to the stage where you can consider going full time with your idea.
- Do everything yourself at first – Facebook ads, website building, growing your subscribers, literally everything – to understand the basics and to find where your strengths and weaknesses, and interests lie. After that, find smarter people than you to work on the parts you don't have the time, inclination, or expertise to do yourself.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://kapowmeggings.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kapowmeggings/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kapowmeggings/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KapowMeggings
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-barnett/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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