An entrepreneurial duo have revealed how they went from working average 9 to 5 jobs to running their own fashion business – which is already worth £3m.
Julian Osborne and Sam Matanle have achieved more than most people before their 30th birthdays.
The pair, both aged 29, met while at university and bonded over going out clubbing.
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But they also shared a strong work ethic and sense of ambition to hustle hard in their younger years and set themselves up for the future.
Now, they’ve made their dreams a reality.
Just over two years ago, Julian, a brand manager, and Sam, an operations manager, quit their respective jobs to bet on themselves – launching Batch LDN, a fashion brand that specialises in casual, life-time investment suits with a focus on sustainability and affordability.
Typically, quality suits such as these retail for £800 – but Julian and Sam’s start from just £395.
The duo’s pieces are worn by top celebrities like comedian Romesh Ranganathan and Top Boy’s Ashley Walters.
“From a young age, I had a passion and interest in fashion,” said co-founder Julian, who is from Newcastle but now lives and works in London.
“I went through all the typical teenage stages: from dressing in an emo-style with skinny red jeans and Vans; to wearing Topman buttoned-up polo shirts.
“I always wanted to spend more on clothes but with a children’s budget – which isn’t very much – I had to dress as interesting as I could within my own means.
“Being able to manifest this passion into a career is a dream come true.
“People doubted us in the early stages, questioning if there was a market for our brand.
“But you’ll always meet people like that and what truly matters is how you manage those opinions.”
While Julian was a fashion savant from an early age, Sam, on the other hand, dreamt of becoming an F1 driver and, as he grew older, running his own company.
After studying at university, the pair each went on to work at two startups – one for underwear and the other for drinks – where they learned valuable skills about marketing, finance and start-ups.
But they were keen to have a better life balance.
Julian said: “I was a bit worried about setting up a business with one of my best friends, but we balance each other out so well.
“Sam is more of a thinker and I’m more of a doer.
“Our close relationship has also made us more accountable for our actions.
“It’s harder to be a st friend than a st colleague – having this respect for one another feeds into the business.”
The duo are self-funded, pooling together their savings and asking for small loans from family members to get started, including Sam’s dad and Julian’s grandmother.
The Batch suit was actually created in Julian’s living room.
There have been challenges along the way though, such as finding a production partner who could create the suits and a fashion designer to help bring their idea to life.
But, why suits?
Julian said: “The traditional suit that has become outdated.
“Our goal was to create a product that solves the problem of what to wear when you want to look good.
“We’ve all been there; wardrobe paralysis is a real thing.
“This is a suit you know you’re going to get compliments on and it’s more affordable.
“Sam and I wouldn’t have considered ourselves conscious shoppers before but we wanted to also facilitate a way for people like us to shop more sustainably.
“It’s not always a strong enough motivating factor to buy clothes – so we’ve combined this factor alongside price and quality.”
Batch LDN’s suits are made-to-order with a delivery time of up to eight weeks.
The entrepreneur duo claim this reduces waste, overproduction and dead stock, with lower costs involved, which they return to the customer by selling at a lower price.
Currently, they cater to both men and women, from ages 17 until 70, selling online and in their flagship store, which is soon moving to London’s Covent Garden.
This financial year, they’ll have made £400,000 in revenue – their highest takings to date – and will soon have a collection of overcoats to widen Batch’s offering.
Their long-term vision is to expand into the US, continuing to develop their core range and further grow their current team of five.
Sharing some advice for others who want to follow in their footsteps, Julian said: “Make sure your business is solving a problem and has a good story behind it.
“If you have the resources, just go for it – but having experience of working under people first is important.
“Be patient and don’t expect success to happen overnight.
“If Batch LDN was to fail tomorrow, I’m delighted with how far we’ve taken it already, that I wouldn’t be upset.
“Work doesn’t have to be the be all and end all – just learn to enjoy life and not take it too seriously – success can fit in around you.
“We’re just getting started.”