About the Company

Hawthorn focuses on producing bespoke clothing for small and emerging designers, catering to start-up brands and maintaining the lowest industry minimum order quantity of 50 pieces per design. Their expertise lies in men’s casual wear, but they also produce women’s apparel and accessories. With over nine years of industry experience, Rob and Tom aim to help brands bring their visions to life by avoiding stock-based production, creating entirely custom designs.

The company’s client base spans various industries, including PR, marketing, banking, construction, and food services. This diversity ensures steady growth and market resilience. Initially attempting to offer everything from footwear to leather goods, they pivoted to refine their focus on casual men’s clothing, learning vital lessons along the way.

Hawthorn’s success is also attributed to its adaptability, having restructured its website multiple times and continuously optimized its services. They remain committed to delivering excellent quality and personalized service to clients.

Idea Behind Company

The concept of Hawthorn was rooted in the founders’ entrepreneurial spirit and personal experiences. Childhood friends Rob and Tom, with diverse career paths in design and fitness, decided to collaborate on a business. The idea arose when Tom, unable to find well-fitting muscle-fit tees, tailored one himself and recognized a market gap for such clothing. Their brainstorming sessions turned this concept into reality, leading to the launch of two initial clothing brands.

However, sourcing small-batch production proved challenging, with UK manufacturers requiring high minimum order quantities. This limitation forced them to explore international factories. Through trial and error, they eventually connected with a trusted workshop in Turkey, which enabled them to create custom products and gain control over manufacturing. This experience laid the foundation for Hawthorn.

Creating the Company

The founders started Hawthorn after realizing the potential of manufacturing clothing for other brands. They began by building a basic website and establishing social media channels to showcase their capabilities. Despite their perfectionism delaying the launch, the website eventually served as an essential marketing tool.

Funding was a hurdle, but they secured a government-backed Start-Up Loan of £4,000, which allowed them to develop a sample suite and improve their online presence. Their early investments included professional photography and transitioning from generic stock images to showcasing authentic product samples. This investment in quality helped Hawthorn establish credibility.

Their first international customer was a YouTuber, and this success highlighted the global potential of their business. Overcoming early challenges, they steadily grew their reputation and client base.

Launching the Business

Hawthorn’s launch involved strategic outreach and marketing to attract clients. Initially, the founders manually contacted potential customers, convincing them to try Hawthorn’s services. They utilized databases to increase visibility and invested in premium memberships to enhance their search rankings. This proactive approach led to a significant boost in customer inquiries.

They also focused on client retention, ensuring customer satisfaction to encourage repeat business. Word-of-mouth referrals became a crucial growth driver, alongside investments in professional services, including photography, which enhanced the brand’s image. Over time, their supply chain expanded to include facilities in Turkey, Pakistan, and China, boosting production capacity and global reach.

Earnings

Hawthorn has grown into a profitable business generating $50,000 per month in revenue. Despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, they have sustained operations and postponed some expansion plans. Their long-term goals include expanding their customer base internationally by opening bases in regions such as the USA and Europe.

The founders credit their success to patience, learning from mistakes, and investing in quality services. They continue to focus on improving their processes, maintaining customer satisfaction, and leveraging their expertise to retain and grow their clientele.