This interview featured Clint 419, founder of Corteiz clothing, discussing his entrepreneurial journey, key business challenges, the development of his brand, unique marketing strategies, and lessons learned from hardship.
Clint shared anecdotes about starting with small hustles, early financial struggles, building a team, the role of customer service, and the importance of self-promotion.
The conversation touched on Corteiz's music label activities, rejection in entrepreneurship, creative marketing campaigns, and perspectives on resellers.
The session concluded with reflections on inspiration, resilience, and advice for up-and-coming creators and entrepreneurs.
Action Items
(No explicit action items with due dates or owners were mentioned in the transcript.)
Clint’s Entrepreneurial Journey and Background
Clint started his entrepreneurial activities selling Mentos as a child, learning key lessons about differentiation and reinvestment.
He was initially more interested in sneakers than clothing and shared stories about saving up for his first pair of Air Max Ones.
A pivotal moment was his family’s eviction in 2018, which motivated him to build financial stability and independence, eventually leading to Corteiz's creation.
Early in the brand’s history, Clint learned the importance of budgeting and reinvestment, often putting all profits back into the business.
Overcoming Challenges and Learning from Mistakes
In 2020, Clint invested ÂŁ20K in a production run of cargos that arrived too small, representing half his available funds at the time.
He described learning from this costly mistake and implementing a more rigorous sampling process, emphasizing the necessity of resilience and adaptation.
Clint stressed that disaster and setbacks are critical learning moments for founders.
Building Corteiz: Team and Roles
As the brand grew, Clint delegated essential roles such as logistics management, warehouse supervision, and customer service.
Initially, customer service was handled personally, leading to delays; eventually, a dedicated team was built to provide timely responses and better support.
Clint highlighted the importance of treating customers as real people and maintaining strong, responsive service.
Handling Rejection and Brand Positioning
Clint’s approach avoided seeking external validation or collaboration in the early years; he didn't give away free products or "beg" for support.
Rejection was reframed as a motivator to improve and push the brand forward independently.
He developed a mentality that if someone says no, it just fuels further innovation and effort.
Marketing Innovation and Community Engagement
Corteiz is known for unconventional, experience-based marketing campaigns:
The “Great B Exchange” allowed customers to swap North Face jackets for Corteiz ones, generating organic buzz and community discussion.
A Harachi shoe drop required customers to pick up a Corteiz-themed newspaper at a bodega before purchasing, making the experience memorable and collectible.
Marketing ideas are driven more by creating experiences and memories than by maximizing revenue.
Views on Self-Promotion and Social Media
Clint firmly believes that consistent, unapologetic self-promotion is essential, especially without reliance on paid ads or influencer sponsorships.
He encourages beginners to promote themselves without shame or fear of looking desperate, emphasizing that building an audience requires relentless promotion early on.
Public Criticism, Social Media, and Design Challenges
Clint is unfazed by online criticism, using social media pushback as opportunities for community engagement.
After criticism of his designs online, he publicly challenged critics to submit their own designs, leading to a viral community contest and positive exposure for new designers.
Product Reselling and Evolving Attitudes
Clint initially viewed resellers as harmful to his brand by limiting genuine customers' access, but his perspective matured to accept their role as a part of streetwear culture's ecosystem.
Music Ventures and Artist Support
Clint started a music label to provide independence and creative freedom to artists like dexstar, emphasizing artist-focused support over financial returns.
The label has supported other musicians, providing resources and a platform for creative experimentation outside traditional label pressures.
Personal Inspirations and Reflections
Music serves as motivation, with certain tracks fueling his work ethic and focus during challenging periods.
Clint’s playlist reflects diverse influences, many with roots in London’s current music scene.
He values authenticity, resilience, and organic growth, advising young entrepreneurs to learn from setbacks, promote themselves, and stay true to their vision.
Decisions
(No formal business decisions requiring an explicit statement were mentioned in the transcript.)
Open Questions / Follow-Ups
No open questions or pending business issues were identified.