Celebrated British designer Oliver Spencer was just one of the impressive guests at Esquire Self-Made, in partnership with Mercedes-Benz X-Class. The one-day summit hosted inspiring business leaders, fashion entrepreneurs and motivational speakers for panel talks and discussions, as well as offering valuable advice and networking opportunities for budding entrepreneurs.
Spencer, whose eponymous brand is known for its wearable wardrobe classics, took part in a panel discussion about how to build an ethical brand, alongside Ryan Chetiyawardana and Dom Brides, hosted by Caryn Franklin MBE.
We sat down with Spencer to glean his most valuable business advice, find out what makes him get up in the morning and hear his thoughts on matters like the future of fashion.
"My first job was in a cocktail bar. I loved every minute of it. All walks of life came into that place. It was a complete learning process for me; the diversity of life in a city and [gaining a] work ethic as well."
"Sometimes I'll ask myself this question, 'how come you're still running to work? Why are you still really eager to get there?' Simply it's because I love what I do."
"We like what our customers like, and I think that's really important."
"Be passionate about what you're doing. Just be fully convicted to your end goal. Don't get diverted."
"The amount of retail that has closed because of e-commerce. Within the next five years we need to establish a balance between taxation on e-commerce and taxation on bricks-and-mortar retail, because at the moment the playing field is not level."
"When you open things abroad it opens up a whole other level, you think because you can do it here you can do it anywhere. Well the answer is probably not."
"You've got to be prepared to lose some money and have some sleepless nights."
"Find your competition and go and work for them. Go and spend time getting paid to learn in an environment that you see yourself in in five years time."
"Choose a product that you feel a love for and develop that product."
