SPGBK Watches.
(Editor’s Note: I wrote this at the beginning of 2021)
I love being able to find unique brands in their early stages of business development. Watching a company's successful growth provides valuable info that I can share with any new entrepreneur that I speak with. I usually focus on Orlando based brands and businesses, but this is more of sharing a success story that I have watched from afar. It should be encouraging to anyone reading, that creating your own product and distributing it, is extremely possible.
In 2019, I came across a sponsored ad on Instagram for a dope looking watch. I clicked the ad that took me to the website, which was simple, clean, professional, and had maybe two or three styles to choose from and was very affordable. I couldn’t choose between two, but there was a combo deal for both. I think I spent $100 for two and still rock both to this day. A nice ad, simple purchasing options, and affordable pricing, got my business. Seems simple, however the basics often get overlooked. While on the site, as always, I go straight to the “Our Story” section. This is the first thing I ask when consulting brands. What is your story?
I believe a true and honest story is as important, if not more so, than product quality and reliable service in creating repeat customers. The brand I am speaking of is @spgbk watches. The name SPGBK is an acronym for “Spring Break” which, in their own words, “was always a refreshing reset before the end of the school year and they wanted to capture that essence in their name”. Founded by two fraternity brothers from Fayetteville North Carolina, the mission was to create a watch with the principles of affordability, sustainability, and ethically inspired.
They have been able to create a unique product, in a not so common product category (how many watchmakers do you know). Starting from one watch for sale for the first few years, now the product line releases up to 10 different designs a year. (Fact Check, this was written in 2021 lol). Each watch has ties to their North Carolina roots in either name or design style. There is a clear message of promoting community support, education and complete pride in black owned businesses. There is a nicely balanced sense of transparency with random videos posted, talking about various business experiences the owners went through to get to this point of an upstart venture. The content is shot in a manner that makes the viewer feel they are talking directly to them personally. The strategy feels very similar to the music business where you, (should anyway) appreciate each and every customer and fan and turn 1 into 2, 2 into 4, and build from a genuine grassroots marketing strategy.
Streetwear brands tend to drift off into a higher price point hoping for that “Supreme” business model selling exclusivity. @spgbkhas a very affordable price point making it possible to have a few different designs, which I do as well and love them. The product is dope, the story is genuine, and you feel a sense of community versus exclusion with this brand. While watching this company for the past few years, it was inspiring to see that the hard work, vision, and consistency of the brand message is really paying off. They just announced that earlier this month, ( written in 2021) they were picked up by Nordstrom's department stores and would be available in over 50 locations throughout the US.
The sense of pride and accomplishment to achieve such a feat in a short amount of time while starting with zero capital, should be motivation for everyone reading this…. That It Is Possible!! And for that, we Thank You @spgbk
This is my Passion for Business