Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Shih.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Samantha. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story began 2006 at a place called, Bu Bu Bu (in Chinese it means, “cloth, cloth, cloth.”). It’s one of the largest fabric markets located in Nanjing, China — a second-tier city near Shanghai. Bu Bu Bu’s austere, concrete facade is a stark contrast with what lies inside. Stalls of colorful bolts of fabric cover almost every inch of space. I loved going to this place, as it satisfied a deep need to create and to be creative. This seemingly insignificant place is where the idea of 9tailors began percolating in my head. What if I brought old-world tailoring to the modern American gentleman?
After months of market research, planning and soul-searching, I launched the 9tailors website from my apartment at the end of 2008. The initial concept of 9tailors merged the ease of technology with the personalization of custom tailoring. Our website allowed our customers to determine all aspects of their shirts from the fabric to the shirt buttons. However, my style instincts and my desire to advise our clients grew stronger with each order. After a 6 months, I decided to add in-person style and fit consultations. Fast forward to 2017, we have a 1,300 square foot loft/showroom in the Leather District, 8 employees and manage a portfolio of thousands of clients, including many prominent professional athletes.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Each year brings with it new and different challenges along the way. Last year’s problems are not this year’s problems. In 2010, we had partnered with a small tailoring workshop in Shanghai. While en route to deliver our orders to our shipping center, our master tailor got into a scooter accident. Luckily, he was not injured, but he did manage to lose all of our orders. Last year, we collaborated two major commercial clients on bespoke uniform projects. The project increased our production by 300% in a very short period of time. So, we had to re-think our entire manufacturing and delivering processes so that we could deliver our products to our commercial clients with the same level of efficiency as to our individual clients. When the days are dark and difficult decisions need to be made, my husband and business partner, likes to remind me that the only way out is the way through.
9tailors – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
It’s not uncommon to have a man lead a women’s retail company. But, seldom do you see a woman lead a men’s retail company. This is what differentiates 9tailors from other menswear and custom suiting brands.
Since the company’s inception, we have separated ourselves from the pack by bringing a friendly, female perspective to men seeking stylish, well-tailored clothing. My team of Style Consultants bring a soft-touch to the overall shopping experience, a deep appreciation for menswear and a keen eye for men’s fashion. 9tailors has also been at the forefront of the men’s fashion scene in Boston, dressing thousands of clients from professional athletes to television anchors.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
In the beginning when I had no employees, I felt proud of creating something out of nothing. Now that I have an established, thriving business, success has a new meaning. It’s motivating my employees and cultivating a company culture that seeks to achieve our collective goals.
Pricing:
- Dress Shirts: $79.00 to $240.00
- Custom Two-Piece Suits: $585.00 to $2500.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 9tailors
132 Lincoln Street, 1L - Website: www.9tailors.com
- Phone: 6172866135
- Email: info@9tailors.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/9tailors
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/9tailors/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/9tailors
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/9tailors-boston
- Other: 9tailors
Image Credit:
Channing Johnson
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