Embracing Scale, and The Future of Fashion with Benjamen Janey

Update: 2021-05-04

Description

In this episode, Chris talks with Benjamen Janey, owner and operator of Spooler, a tech-driven apparel company that combines fashion and technology to help consumers take control of the clothes they wear.

Entrepreneurship is in Benjamen’s blood. When his mother saw students at her school face serious consequences for graffiti, she founded a non-profit to help young people express themselves artistically without repercussions.

Benjamen started his business as a grassroots creator, creating custom pieces by hand for the tourists, locals, and celebrities of Venice Beach.

After a successful test market in Venice, he continued to validate the need for on-demand clothing and fashion by integrating new technology and formed Spooler. In 2018, Benjamen landed a partnership with Sesame Street to develop an activewear product targeting the health & wellness market, and socially-conscious millennials who likely grew up watching the beloved show.

Chris and Benjamen discuss why failure is required, learning to scale, and the future of technology in wellness, business, and beyond.

“These adversities that we’re going to explore a little bit here, or challenges or hurdles or however you want to phrase them, they are part of the journey. In many ways, they are just as important as the successes, if not more important than the successes.” ~ @BenjamenJaney

Main takeaways

[12:09 ] Hiring team members can save you invaluable time and money as a business owner. Finding the right fit can be tricky, but outsourcing early is worth it.

[13:08 ] Technology is helping fashion transform into a direct-to-consumer industry where consumers have control over the materials used in the clothes they love.

[16:01 ] It’s ok to fail immediately and frequently. Failure is what helps you learn and move your business forward. Don’t get discouraged if you’re in a tough spot.

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