A Four Generation Family Tradition

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in bags and accessories but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Will Bauer, owner of ROYCE New York, located in New York, NY, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

A 4th-Generation Family tradition born in the 1880s in Vienna, ROYCE New York was raised with the vision of showcasing high-quality materials and refined leather craftsmanship. Over the years, as our family business has grown from one generation to the next, in changing times, the vision has remained the same. We handcraft a collection of contemporary travel, business, and lifestyle leather accessories integrating the world's most aspirational quality, thoughtful construction, and innovative functionality.

Tell us about yourself

From a young age, I felt destined to work with my parents. I was never compelled to work with them, and my siblings never joined the business, but I firmly believed in our product, family tradition and saw tremendous potential in scaling the business.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Partnering with the world's most prestigious department stores - most notably Saks 5th Avenue, Harrods, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman - as well as Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Selfridges, and Hudson's Bay and establishing two monogram boutiques in NYC are amongst my greatest accomplishments. The biggest success, however, has been working with my parents - respecting our tradition and style of business while innovating to keep the brand and product updated and on-trend.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

It's impossible to please everyone - clients, employees, vendors. Remember you're only human, and as long as you find opportunities to learn from supply chain challenges, customer service issues, and employee issues, then even the most frustrating situations can have upside to them.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Be disruptive. I've made a living off reaching out directly to CEOs of major companies and making our presence felt with key executives at department stores as we work on such a limited marketing/PR/advertising/business development budget.
Be passionate. Believe in your product, understand why you love what you do, and that will carry you through your most difficult days.
Be enduring. Success is a marathon, appreciate the small victories and keep pushing. Some days will be a step back rather than one forward, but every business - regardless of size and success - faces this.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://royce.us/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoyceLeather/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roycenewyork/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willbauernyc/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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