Andrew Coelho: Building a Luxury Fashion Brand

"In today’s age, it’s about being authentic and being transparent. People want to know who’s behind the brand and what it’s about."

Who is Andrew Coelho:
Andrew is one of four co-founders (and best friends) that came together and collaborated to create Monte & Coe; a luggage and accessories brand that strives to make morally responsible fashion decisions in a fast-fashion world.

The luxury fashion world is not an easy one to crack. That's why it's so impressive to see how Andrew and his co-founders at Monte & Coe got their start from humble beginnings and have continued to evolve in such a competitive industry. Their magic formula for their brand is founded on one guiding principle: create high-quality products that foster personal expression and practicality. Without authenticity, transparency, and story, Andrew believes that brands never stand a chance.

What We Talk About On This Episode of The Andrew Bilak Show:
How Monte & Coe started
Getting into the fashion industry
Managing a business with four co-founders who also happen to be friends
Why they decided to stay local when it came to their product rather than source overseas
Starting a luxury brand pre-eCommerce 
Using Kickstarter to test proof of concept
The role e-commerce plays in their business and what the future looks like in that pillar
Deal with growing pains: buying too much inventory, restricting cash-flow, and too low of a price point
How to stand out in a competitive market
Why they focus on customer EXPERIENCE to stand out in a crowded marketplace
Building a brand without outside investment
Getting media exposure and why the attention is so important to your business
Why networking is the lifeblood of your brand and business
Authenticity is the key to breaking through the noise
Marketing tactics currently use
Creating opportunities from ‘throwaway’ materials
Standout moments that have helped propel the brand forward
Staying in alignment with your business partners

Resources:

monteandcoe.com
Instagram: @monteandcoe
Retail Locations: Hudsons Bay - Yorkdale, Queen street
andrewbilak.com
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