Incendium Podcast: Beau Lawrence, Founder of Ace Rivington (0:00)
James introduces Beau Lawrence, founder of Ace Rivington, highlighting his extensive experience in denim design.
From Corporate to Entrepreneurship (0:36)
Beau shares his background in apparel, specifically denim, and his transition from a 15-year corporate career to starting Ace Rivington 11 years ago. His initial goal was to learn how to build a company, using his corporate experience as a stepping stone.
The Importance of Flexibility and Pivots (3:23)
Beau emphasizes the importance of flexibility, citing multiple pivots in his business strategy, including moving from a catalog-focused model to retail and online sales. He highlights the necessity of adapting to changing circumstances and feedback.
Building a Brand: The Early Days (4:41)
Beau describes the initial launch of Ace Rivington through Kickstarter and the subsequent challenges of a failed catalog venture. He recounts the success of his first brick-and-mortar store and the evolution of his retail strategy.
Marketing Strategies and Online Growth (8:02)
Beau discusses the evolution of Ace Rivington’s online presence, including the introduction of tailored denim sales. He highlights the importance of having the right people on his team to grow the online sales. He also discusses the growth of his wholesale business.
Finding Balance and Defining Success (11:01)
Beau stresses the importance of balancing growth with profitability and personal happiness. He emphasizes the significance of customer service and building genuine connections with customers.
Teaching and Leadership (14:48)
Beau discusses his focus on being a better teacher and empowering his team members. He expresses his desire to help his team achieve their full potential.
The Role of Team and Collaboration (16:44)
Beau attributes his online success to having a skilled team and effective marketing strategies. He talks about how important it is to have people who believe in his vision.
Customer Service and Authenticity (19:39)
Beau highlights the importance of genuine customer service and authenticity in building customer loyalty. He talks about how he learned about customer service from his parents experiences.
Successful Campaigns and Storytelling (20:59)
Beau describes the success of his talking-head video campaigns and the power of establishing authority in his market. He also goes over the success of his kickstarter campaign, and the important piece of advice he received about storytelling.
Goals for the Future (23:36)
Beau’s primary goal is to improve the company’s calendar and task management to facilitate better scaling. He wants to build the company responsibly.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs (25:47)
Beau advises aspiring entrepreneurs to prioritize action over perfection and to embrace failure as a learning opportunity. He emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself and taking risks. He also talks about how a business plan does not have to be perfect. He also talks about how he changed his career path.
Regrets and Reflections on the Journey (29:10)
Beau expresses gratitude for his journey, and says that he does not regret any of the decisions he has made. He wishes he had learned to manage stress better.
