Jonathan Simkhai details how his fashion brand has achieved 15 years of growth without outside investment, emphasizing an organic, customer-centric approach. He highlights the strategic expansion with four new stores and the return to NYFW, driven by direct customer demand, showcasing the power of physical retail and experiential marketing in building a resilient brand.
Key takeaways
Prioritize organic growth and customer feedback as primary drivers for sustained business expansion, even without external funding.
Invest in strategic retail expansion with physical stores in key locations to enhance brand presence and direct customer engagement.
Leverage experiential marketing, like fashion shows, by aligning with customer desires to create memorable brand touchpoints.
Embrace experimentation and adapt strategies based on market dynamics and customer insights to maintain relevance and foster innovation.
Recognize the competitive advantage of specialty stores in offering curated experiences over larger department stores, fostering stronger customer relationships.
Fifteen years after starting his fashion brand, Jonathan Simkhai is still growing it — without financial help. “The business is privately held, and we have not taken on any outside investment,” Simkhai said on the latest episode of the Glossy Podcast. “I am open to the idea, but we're also very happy just moving along and growing the business organically.”
Coinciding with that growth has been the opening of four Simkhai stores — in Southampton, Beverly Hills, NYC’s SoHo neighborhood and Dallas. There have also been marketing investments via global runway shows. This September, Simkhai will return to the New York Fashion Week runway, largely driven by customer demand. "In our stores, I've heard so many clients say, 'Are you doing a show?' and 'We want to come to your show,'” he said. “In being so focused on the clients and meeting their needs and being there for them, I really want to do a show so I can have them there and give them that experience.”
Also on the podcast, Simkhai discussed why he values time in his brand’s stores, why specialty stores have an advantage over department stores and why experimentation is important to a modern fashion business.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Prioritize organic growth and customer feedback as primary drivers for sustained business expansion, even without external funding.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Invest in strategic retail expansion with physical stores in key locations to enhance brand presence and direct customer engagement.
What does this episode say about brand & content?
Leverage experiential marketing, like fashion shows, by aligning with customer desires to create memorable brand touchpoints.
What does this episode say about finance & fundraising?
Embrace experimentation and adapt strategies based on market dynamics and customer insights to maintain relevance and foster innovation.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Recognize the competitive advantage of specialty stores in offering curated experiences over larger department stores, fostering stronger customer relationships.
