Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in clothing line but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Eric Saltsman, co-founder of Twoque Inc., located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

At Twoque, we focus on one thing: spreading warmth. We are a uniquely Canadian cold-weather brand whose aim is to keep an entire generation warm by donating a product for every product we sell. Our motto is simple: ONE + ONE = TWOQUE!

We partner with humanitarian organizations and supply them with donations of cold-weather garments to provide low-income families and individuals living in poverty with appropriate clothing to stay warm throughout winter.

If you like to keep warm, wear stylish clothing, and you consider yourself a socially conscious consumer, then Twoque is for you this winter!

Tell us about yourself

The idea for Twoque actually came out of a classroom project. I was a high school teacher, and Twoque was created in 2018 as an exemplar for a final project in my Grade 12 class, Challenge, and Change in Society. For the project, the students were tasked with writing a business plan for a new company that was either a not-for-profit, sustainability-focused, or a social enterprise (a for-profit company with a socially conscious mission).

We live and work in downtown Toronto. Sadly, we only need to walk around the corner from our office to find folks living rough on the streets for most of the year. It would be fair to say that, regardless of socioeconomic status, when the temperature dips, we all need and deserve protection from the cold. Well, what if there was a way that we could help these folks out on a grand scale? What if there was a uniquely Canadian way to solve this particularly Canadian problem? This was and continues to be our motivation.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

This might sound like a small thing but getting a returning customer always puts a smile on our faces. You can't help but be proud when someone has decided that they dig your brand so much that they'll purchase from you again. To us, it's a sign that we're doing something right.

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

When something does not go as expected, you only need to look in the mirror to know who made the wrong decision. The upside of being an entrepreneur is that you get to do things the way you want them to be done. The downside is that if things aren't going as planned, there's very little blame to go around. It can lead you to question every decision you have ever made. But, if you look at a misfire as a learning opportunity, it makes the low moments more palatable.

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

  1. If you genuinely believe in your idea, then start your business! Many people talk about great ideas, but few folks actually act on them. Don't think about what could have been; go out there and make it happen. The worst that happens is that you will learn about business and learn about yourself.
  2. Make sure to have a supportive team around you. Whether it is a business partner, family, or friends, try to surround yourself with positive voices that you can lean on during times of struggle.
  3. Set attainable goals! Whether it is daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly targets, set goals for yourself that you know are viable. If you try to get too lofty, too quick, then you might not allow yourself to build momentum and take care of the basics

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

We offer custom branding for companies that wish to give back to their employees and fulfill their corporate social responsibility. Reach out for inquiries!

If you're looking to get more involved in your community, let us know. We can help connect you with humanitarian organizations doing amazing work.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.twoque.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twoqueC
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twoque_canada/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Twoque_Canada
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/twoque-canada/

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.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.