Today we’d like to introduce you to Sally Seaver.
Sally, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Through my business Active Lightning, I started providing technical and marketing services to companies for their ecommerce websites around 2004. A client rejected the idea of getting free exposure on Froogle (an early version of Google shopping which was free). It made me want to use my knowledge to start an ecommerce business myself. My husband at the time was from Egypt and knew a manufacturer in Cairo for producing Egyptian cotton t-shirts. I did market research to explore the presence of Egyptian cotton knit clothing in the market, and saw that there was not much of an offering. Also, I have a background doing sewing and love good textiles. I especially love cotton knit clothing and find it the most comfortable. I liked the idea of providing an outlet for Egyptian goods, due to the economic disadvantages that Egyptians have, especially in getting their apparel into the US market. Another advantage for me was to get practical experience with doing ecommerce for my Active Lightning clients. I decided to pick standard colors in each color family to compliment the people who wear them, and keep these as standard colors. The company officially started January 1, 2007; we made our first sale at the end of March 2007. We were able to have affordable prices in the beginning. But then, the Chinese had a failed cotton crop. They bought up contracts for cotton in Egypt and other places driving up the cost of cotton. Additionally, the pursuit of quality drove up the price. I had to make the decision to compromise quality or go up substantially on price. We kept the quality. Now, we have somewhat fewer customers, but they greatly appreciate that we have quality cotton.
Has it been a smooth road?
A chronic challenge has been that we are a small self-funded manufacturer in an industry where big purchases need to be made up front. In 2014, we obtained our first bank loan. However, so many things went wrong with the manufacturing batch of crewneck and V-neck shirts. It really was a challenge to recover.
Our customers’ enthusiasm for our clothing helps to keep us going.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Egyptian Cotton Tshirts story. Tell us more about the business.
Our brand is about comfortable living — “Life has enough irritations, your t-shirt doesn’t need to be one of them.” Customers find super comfy cotton t-shirts and lounge pants in solid flattering colors made of 100% combed Egyptian cotton which is super durable as well as comfortable.
Egyptian Cotton T-Shirts manufactures and sells high-quality cotton knit clothing. We produce and sell ethical clothing that is earth-friendly, and socially responsible.
Sally Seaver, our clothing designer, delivers comfortable clothing that compliments the wearer. Fabric matters. Colors make a difference. Covered seams at the shoulders and neck are some construction details. No tags.
Clothing is made in Egypt and sold online at www.EgyptianCottonTshirts.com. Executive office is in Burlington, MA; orders are fulfilled from Fall River, MA.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Apparel producers in the industry have gone to using cheap fabrics and are putting pressure on their manufacturers outside the US in low-cost labor markets to keep costs down. This can be seen in the quality of clothing that can found throughout clothing stores. Clothing brands require a lot of advertising and other overhead expenses. Cotton garments (more expensive fabric) have become rarer.
Egyptian Cotton Tshirts is competing by making different choices, choosing to maintain quality and keep other costs low.
Retail apparel shopping is changing as shoppers go online more and more. This is where we greet our customers and it helps us to keep other administrative costs low.
Pricing:
- Organic Short-Sleeve V-Neck Tee [T004], $37.50
- Lounge Pants (or Yoga Pants) for Men and Women [P001], $56.00
- Women’s 100% Egyptian Cotton Comfort Sleep Shirt [T003], $39.50
- Baby short-Sleeve Organic Egyptian Cotton Comfort Bodysuit, $22.50
- Women’s Short-Sleeve Cotton Shell or Shirt [T002], $29.50
Contact Info:
- Website: www.EgyptianCottonTshirts.com
- Phone: 781-472-0440
- Email: customer-service@eyptiancottontshirts.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EgyptianCottonClothing/
Image Credit:
Fulfillment, patternmakers and other (Fall River Team), Seth, Marketing Director, modeling our t-shirt and lounge pants; Ad showing our clothing being used for yoga (yoga connection was sparked by customer input); Rachael (customer service and operations); modeling our T003 comfort sleepshirt; Donation to Syrians, May 2013 (NuDay Syria, http://www.nudaysyria.net/) with Sally Seaver Designer / Founder / President
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