About the Company

Tradlands offers refined, quality clothing for women, particularly focusing on items like button-up shirts that are designed to last for years. Their commitment to sustainability and ethical production practices has made them popular among customers who prioritize both quality and responsibility. The company is headquartered in the U.S. and originally focused on producing garments locally, before moving some of its manufacturing to international partners in Asia and South America to improve costs without compromising quality. Tradlands operates primarily through its eCommerce platform, with a focus on a direct-to-consumer model, leveraging email marketing, social media, and influencer partnerships to drive sales.

Idea Behind Company

The idea for Tradlands stemmed from a shared frustration about the lack of high-quality button-up shirts for women, similar to those available in menswear. Jeremy and Sadie realized that while menswear offered timeless, well-crafted shirts, women had few options in this category. Inspired by the concepts in *The Four Hour Work Week*, they sought to design, produce, and sell clothing that embodied the same high standards of quality and craftsmanship they admired in menswear. With Sadie’s background in the fashion industry, they began exploring clothing production while educating themselves on entrepreneurship, garment manufacturing, and digital marketing.

Creating the Company

After identifying their niche, Jeremy and Sadie used a combination of resources like *The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing* to educate themselves about garment production and manufacturing. They began by creating prototypes, testing fabric, and refining the design of their first button-up shirt. Initially, they chose to produce locally in the U.S. to maintain control over quality and production processes. Their first batch consisted of just 144 shirts, made from 8 different fabrics. They also sourced their materials from the Los Angeles fabric district, marking the beginning of a hands-on, iterative process that would shape their brand. Their initial investment was drawn from their 401(k) savings and support from family, which they used to fund the first production run and cover operational expenses.

Launching the Business

In February 2013, Tradlands launched its first collection through a custom Shopify website, which they built with the help of a friend. They began by building a small email list and sharing behind-the-scenes content on Instagram to generate excitement. Despite limited funds, they gained traction through organic methods, leveraging early press coverage, fashion bloggers, and social media platforms to attract attention. Within just a few months, their brand gained visibility through a feature on a well-known fashion blog, which provided a significant boost in sales. The couple also made a conscious decision to bootstrap the business, living frugally and focusing all available funds back into growing Tradlands during its early years.

Earnings

Tradlands has experienced significant growth since its launch, reaching $134k/month in revenue and crossing the $1 million mark in annual sales. Their approach to business—focusing on quality, sustainability, and ethical production—has resonated with customers, contributing to steady growth. Despite early financial constraints, Tradlands has remained profitable since day one, with email marketing and social media efforts proving particularly effective in generating consistent sales. The couple has also expanded their marketing strategy to include SMS campaigns and influencer collaborations, which have further boosted revenue. By focusing on cost-effective marketing channels and reinvesting profits into the business, Tradlands has successfully scaled its operations, ensuring long-term sustainability and profitability.