An Entrepreneurial Conversation with Co-founder of London Sock Co.

Ryan Palmer, one of the folks who started London Sock Co., shares how they’re giving a cool Victorian vibe to today’s stylish guys and why being a go-getter matters.

Glenn Burgess

Get ready to step back in time with a modern twist! In this article, we’ll introduce you to Ryan Palmer, co-founder of London Sock Co., as he takes us on a journey to rediscover Victorian elegance for today’s gentlemen. Join us as we explore the magic of combining timeless style with an entrepreneurial spirit.

What is the origin story of London Sock Co.?

Dave Pickard and I used to work in the corporate world, and we noticed something interesting. In that world, it was kind of tough to show off your style or personality. You had to wear pretty standard stuff.

But then, we thought about socks – yes, socks! They seemed like a small but great way for guys to stand out and express themselves. People actually pay attention to socks, you know? So, we wanted to help guys get noticed for being stylish, not just for wearing funny or crazy socks.

We had both been working hard at a tech consultancy company in London, where we first met. It was a good place to learn and grow, but we both had this itch to be more entrepreneurial. We didn’t want any limits on what we could do.

So, in September 2013, we took a big leap of faith. We quit our jobs, and since then, we’ve been on our own exciting journey, and we haven’t looked back.

Could you tell about the values that drive your brand?

Our brand values mean the world to us. They’re not just a set of rules; they’re the heartbeat of our business and influence everything we do.

Accessibility: We want to make style accessible to everyone. We know that not everyone feels confident about making a fashion statement, so we’re here to help them find their style and make it timeless.

High-quality: Quality is at the core of everything we create. From the materials we use to our careful manufacturing process and the way we lovingly tag and hand-pack each pair of socks, we’re committed to maintaining the highest standards.

Britishness: We’re proudly British, drawing inspiration from the legendary sense of style that British gentlemen are famous for. Our goal is to make that style achievable and relevant for today’s modern man.

Style: Whether it’s a classic look or something more daring, whether you’re dressing up or down, our socks are all about timeless, versatile, and sophisticated style. You won’t find novelty socks here; we’re all about being effortlessly stylish.

Generosity: We believe in spreading goodwill. Whether it’s encouraging people to gift our socks or our commitment to social responsibility throughout our supply chain and our Pull Your Socks Up campaign, generosity is woven into the fabric of our brand.

What aspirations does your business have for the future?

Our mission is to keep growing, not just in our local community but also on the global stage. We want to keep helping men express themselves with style in a way that earns them admiration for all the right reasons.

Our goal is to build the best business possible, one that not only delivers top-notch products but also offers our customers a first-class experience every step of the way, from the moment they make a purchase to when they put on their socks.

What difficulties have you encountered while managing your company?

Running a business is a constant adventure filled with challenges. From supply chain hiccups to managing cash flow and keeping our stock in check, we face a multitude of hurdles.

But here’s the key: we always put our energy into finding solutions rather than dwelling on problems. We learn from every challenge, mark it as a lesson, and then forge ahead with newfound wisdom.

What sets you apart from your competitors?

At London Sock Co., it’s all in the details. We’re passionate about harnessing the rich design heritage of Britain to ignite self-belief and confidence in men. Our mission is clear: we’re here to help men infuse their style and personality in a way that earns them the right kind of attention.

From the moment our customers start shopping with us to the compliments they receive when they wear our products, we’re dedicated to ensuring an outstanding experience every step of the way.

We want people to feel absolutely no hesitation in trying us out, and if any issues arise (though they’re rare), we’re committed to going above and beyond to resolve them. Your satisfaction is our top priority.

Could you elaborate on how the Victorian era has influenced your brand?

Our journey started with a captivating image from 1883 featuring five incredibly stylish and refined Victorian gentlemen. These men came from different parts of the British Empire, yet they were united in this remarkable picture.

The image, along with a collection of Victorian artifacts, was passed down to my co-founder, sparking a fascinating exploration of an era known for its true elegance, style, and the essence of the British gentleman.

Our goal is to capture the essence of that assured style, sophistication, and British heritage and bring it into the modern age. We want today’s gentlemen to experience and embrace this timeless sense of refinement and make it their own.

What lies ahead for London Sock Co. in the future?

We’re buzzing with excitement because we’ve got a whole bunch of thrilling projects happening throughout our business. These projects span everything from crafting new styles, experimenting with different materials, and creating complementary products to diving headfirst into technology.

Technology is a big deal for us because it’s a key way to enhance various aspects of our business and give our customers an even better experience. Stay tuned for some amazing developments!

What words of wisdom would you share with aspiring entrepreneurs?

Having that entrepreneurial spirit is a valuable thing, and if you have it, you might regret not exploring it further. But here’s the real secret: success in most businesses boils down to execution more than the idea itself. As my co-founder always says, it’s not meant to be easy; it’s reassuringly hard.

So, if you’re on this journey, try to gather as much input and support as possible from the people around you who have something valuable to offer. Focus on building a network of folks who can provide help, advice, and that extra push to speed up your progress.

Stay focused on the right things and build momentum by taking steps every day, no matter how small, to improve your situation. It all adds up, trust me. But above all, trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t, and that inner compass can be your best guide.