My Big Idea: custom made suitmaker TheSuitman&Co

‍Hi Sholom! What's your elevator pitch?

TheSuitman&Co is an independent mobile tailoring service which utilises the finest British and Italian fabrics to create quality custom suits for the office, weddings and events – all synonymous with quality craftmanship, workmanship and the perfect fit.

Why does the market need it?

I founded the concept for TheSuitman&Co when I was training to become an Independent Financial Advisor and I decided to invest in my own tailored suit. However, following a bad experience with a travelling tailor who came to my house, I became obsessed with the idea of creating the best suit possible and set to work in searching for premium British and Italian fabrics that would enable me to create masterpieces unparalleled in quality, durability and fit.

Not only did I fall in love with the process, but I also felt that many other people would have been let down or disappointed in their own tailoring experience too. As a result, TheSuitman&Co was born in February 2023 and my business partner Solomon and I have worked incredibly hard to build a unique, market-leading mobile tailoring service that brings convenience and quality all in one suit.

Where is the business today?

TheSuitman&Co has grown exponentially over the last 12 months, with the last four months being some of our strongest to date. Our success has largely derived from word of mouth and referrals, but we are proactively investing in sales and marketing activity – including ramping up our social media presence alongside photoshoots and collaborations – to continue establishing a positive reputation amongst an expanding client base in London.  

What made you think there was money in this?

Our competitors and other travelling tailors weren’t doing it right – we felt we could provide a better service at a more affordable price point and become the market leader. TheSuitman&Co was initially created out of a passion but quickly turned into a successful business once it got off the ground.

The popularity of travelling tailors is growing at pace, with many business leaders and HNWIs now having their own tailor just like they have their own chef. However, this isn’t just a trend we are seeing amongst the most affluent – with the growing return to the office having a positive effect on the industry.

More business owners will want their employees dressed accordingly and looking the part when they’re at work, and we’ll start seeing an increase in demand as a result. I strongly believe that if you’re suited and booted when you’re at work, you’ll be more efficient and productive – something I know from my own personal experience.

We’re also seeing more consumers move away from fast fashion as they would rather invest in one or two exclusive pieces as opposed to multiple lower-end pieces. There’s been an increased demand for tailoring, even amongst the younger demographic who may not have worn suits previously but are now showing more interest in sartorial garments such as suits, casual blazers and sports jackets as they can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

Instagram has definitely helped with this as a lot of influencers are also making the shift from fast fashion to pieces that are more sartorial – a trend that will only continue to increase.

What's your biggest strength?

We have invested extensive time and resources into sourcing the very best British and Italian fabrics, which means every single garment that we create is not only unique to the client, but also produced to the highest possible quality.

As a result, over 70% of our clients have purchased more than one garment from TheSuitman&Co and always compliment our product for the way it fits perfectly and also reflects their personalities due to our signature touch.

What is the secret to making the business work?

Unlike our competitors, TheSuitman&Co doesn’t have a physical storefront. Our business model is based around the unique experience that we offer our clients – as travelling tailors, we provide a luxury product and service to our customers in the comfort of their own home or even their workplace, bringing convenience and quality all in one suit.

Because we don’t have the overheads involved with maintaining a storefront, we’re able to remain competitive with our pricing, with our suits starting at £795. Despite this lower price point, we are committed to redefining the standards of custom tailoring services, and as such, we only use premium British and Italian fabrics that enable us to create masterpieces unparalleled in quality, durability and fit.

As a result, we have built a loyal customer base amongst professionals, business leaders and high net worth individuals who take pride in their appearance – from fabric quality to finish.

How do you market the company?

We learnt early on that due to the nature of our service, client relationships would be the most valuable marketing strategy for us. Because of this, we have found the secret to making our business work is referrals. By dedicating our time and building a personal rapport with each client, we have been able to make meaningful and lasting connections which in turn has provided better marketing results compared to traditional avenues, alongside continuing to build our presence across social media, specifically Instagram and LinkedIn.

The key to leading a successful business comes from truly understanding what works, and for us, this is providing a service with standards so high that your clients become ambassadors for the brand. Many business owners forget the value of customer service and the benefits of fostering relationships to grow your client base.

What funding do you have? Is it enough?

All of our funding is currently internal and comes directly from our founders. Our goal is to build up our business from the inside, so we run a tight ship, and we spend wisely. In the future, we would consider rounds of external funding as we expand internationally, however, we are currently putting our time and effort into building our core brand and client base.

Tell us about the business model

Our unique business model allows clients to book a one-on-one consultation in their home or workplace where they receive our undivided attention throughout, allowing us to achieve the perfect balance between personalisation and customer satisfaction.

TheSuitman&Co is committed to maintaining unrivalled standards of tailoring and as a business, we hold values of honesty, integrity and dignity. Our clients can rely on our tailors for honest opinions, advice and updates from the first to final fitting. There are no hidden costs, substitutes or delays: if we’ve committed to something, you can rest assured that we’ll stick to it. Your suit is our joint project. We don’t just want it to fit. We want you to look sharp and sophisticated – and to feel it too.

What were you doing before?

I was training to become an Independent Financial Advisor [IFA] when I decided to invest in my own tailored suit. Following a bad experience with a travelling tailor who came to my house, I knew there was a gap in the market to create suits unparalleled in quality, durability and fit.

My business partner Solomon and I founded TheSuitman&Co in February 2023 and have worked incredibly hard to build a unique, market-leading mobile tailoring service that brings convenience and quality all in one suit, with a growing reputation across London.

What is the future vision?

Our long-term goal for TheSuitman&Co is to continue increasing our presence and servicing more clients in the Capital, with the addition of more vehicles in London and Greater London. Once we’ve achieved this, we will then replicate this business model across Birmingham, Manchester and other major cities in the UK.

In addition, we have recently completed a successful pop up in Gibraltar, with plans to launch further pop ups in Dubai and the US later this year.