Want to Get Treated Like a Lady, Dress Like One
William Wilson, CEO William Wilson Clothing
I tend to post gender neutral blog postings about business, style, or things that are happening in my life. But today I’m writing this post because I’m often asked what kind of woman I like. And I think my answer tends to surprise some people. This often leads to conversations that led to this blog post. To sum it up, I’m not attracted to women that dress too provocatively. I tend to feel they are insecure, lacking attention, and will eventually lead to a relationship ladened with drama, arguments, and unsolicited input from her girlfriends (who have no man). I know I’m painting with a broad brush, and I know it isn’t applicable to EVERY woman. But I have to draw on my experiences. After all, this is The William Wilson Perspective. If this isn’t you, don’t be offended. If it is, this is my perspective. I offer it out of love, and hope that it will give you a better insight to how you may be viewed.
I understand there is a distinct difference between being sexy and being trashy. There are some gowns and outfits that are extremely sexy, but are still tasteful. The dress Brittney Cason was wearing at the Sex and the City premier garnered a lot of attention from the fellas. (I know this because I heard the responses from men as she emceed the start of the fashion show). But of the responses I heard, none of them were crass, or objectifying in a negative way. It was a sexy, but elegant dress. Brittney is in great shape so
Jacinda Garabito, Dianne Gallagher, Me, Brittney Cason, and Jordan Fish at the Sex and The City 2 Premier at Mez
she can get every ounce of beauty out of a dress. It was appropriate for the occasion, and fully captured the theme for the evening. In fact all four women (Brittney Cason, Jacinda Garabito, Dianne Gallagher, and Jordan Fish), are extremely beautiful women that fully embodied the theme of the evening, and hit home runs with their impeccable attire. There were other women that displayed elegance and beauty at the event Kenetria Richardson (fiance’of NFL star Chris Harris), T-Strong (aka The Style Mavin), and Jameeka Whitten (JSW Media Group), Nadia Moffette (Miss North Carolina USA 2010) and her publicist Yolanda C. Broadie (YCB Agency).
On the flipside, there were some that honestly, should have known better. Now I don’t claim to the the bastion of knowledge in all things female fashion; far from it. But just because it’s fashionable, doesn’t mean it isn’t trashy. Just because it’s in fashion, doesn’t mean it’s for you. And just because YOU think it’s cute, doesn’t mean you don’t really look like a tramp to everyone else. Get mad if you want. I’m just saying.
I like women that dress classy, and respectful. I find female confidence to be very attractive. I believe a beautiful woman couldn’t hide her beauty if she wanted to. A classy, confident woman can not only catch my immediate attention, but they can occupy a space in my mind for a while. I am rarely moved by women that I see dressed up like high priced (sometimes cheap) call girls. Necklines to their belly buttons, clothes 2 sizes to small, and so much butt showing I sometimes question why even pretend they’re trying to cover it. Sure you will get attention, but is it really the attention you want? Do you want to be respected and considered a lady? Or would you prefer to purely be the object of someone’s sexual desire? Here’s a little secret about SOME guys that are just out for sexual conquests. He will be everything you’re looking for until he gets you in bed, or gets tired of being in bed with you. Then the interest disappears, and you WILL be replaced with another woman shortly. Now don’t put the blame on him solely. Yes, he’s responsible for his actions, but so are you. Stop getting mad at men because they only think of you sexually, when you leave your house looking like the cover girl for “I Need Sex Tonight Magazine“. You can either leave the house looking like someone a real man wants to date, or someone that a man just wants to lay, that choice is yours. You decide what you wear when you leave the house. Just because you CAN do something, doesn’t mean you SHOULD do it. You’re grown, you can do what you want. But there are consequences to your actions.
Now I’m not your father. I may not even really know you. But I do have an interest in this, and I will tell you why. I consider myself to be a good, honorable, respectable, God fearing man. I make my mistakes, and I am far from perfect. But I get tired of being grouped into the “all men are dogs” category, (especially from women that leave the house looking like doggy snacks, and get mad when dogs take a bite). Don’t leave the house looking like a stripper, meet a guy looking for a stripper, get treated like a stripper, then get mad because he didn’t treat you like an executive, and then bash ALL men. You catch a fish based on the bait you use. If you want a good man, look like a good woman. Want to get treated like a ho, dress like one. It’s not complicated.
Feel free to respond. I doubt that real, respectable, confident woman that have pride about themselves, and value their image will disagree with me. But I can be wrong. Let me know what you think. Just be respectful, and watch your language.
God bless and dress well,
William Wilson
Unintended Inspiration
William Wilson, CEO William Wilson Clothing
I attend Transformation Church. My pastor, Derwin Gray, inspired me today in church. That, in itself, is not breaking news. Millions of people are inspired every Sunday by their pastors. I’m no different. But what I think is noteworthy, is how he inspired me. It wasn’t his sermon (which was great). It wasn’t his delivery. It wasn’t his charisma. It was his exhaustion. Let me explain.
I was in the overflow area viewing the service. After calling the ushers to take up the offering, he came out to the overflow area. He saw me, spoke, gave me a hug and said he was going outside to get some air. I followed him and we spoke as we walked. Upon getting outside, he bent at the waist, with his hands on his knees and took a few deep breaths, much like a fatigued basketball player. As he rested, he spoke of us getting together to talk this week, and of preaching his third sermon since last night. He wasn’t complaining of being tired. He spoke as if he was sitting at his desk. Much like Jesus, “He never said a mumbling word.” After taking a few minutes to get his wind, he stood, walked into the church, stepped up to the pulpit, and spoke as if he had just woken up. I would never had expected that the man, who 2 minutes earlier, was bent at the waist getting his wind, was the same man leading, motivating, and inspiring the hundreds with charisma and energy like you wouldn’t believe.
Derwin Gray, Pastor Transformation Church www.TC521.org
It moved me. And it made me ask myself, “Am I leaving it all on the field?”
In front of me was a living, breathing illustration of a man that’s giving everything he has. And it is paying off. Transformation Church held its first service the end of January 2010, (yes less than 5 months ago). Since that time they have had to add an overflow area, and have added 2 more services, including a Saturday service. That’s divine progress. That’s God blessing his people.
I’m a social media nut. I’m on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. All day I hear people talk about being “on the grind”. This is the silliest statement I think I have ever heard. To grind is to wear something away. It’s a burden. It’s a chore. It’s the polar opposite of producing. Maybe that’s why I don’t hear the people who are always on the grind reporting of big things they are doing. They are just constantly “grinding”. It’s not a coincidence that the people I see making big moves, are never “grinding”. They are working. They are planning. they are building. They are succeeding. They are accomplishing.
I saw the evidence that my pastor is leaving everything on the field. He’s giving everything he has. His tweets (yes my pastor ! He’s cool like that) are always uplifting, motivating, inspiring, and at times, if we are honest with ourselves, hard on us. He doesn’t publicize he’s leaving it on the field, he just does it. And now, I have seen it. And it has motivated me to do more. Be more. And give more. Upward. Inward. Outward. Right Pastor Gray?
Always Say Thank You
William Wilson, CEO William Wilson Clothing
On my birthday, I was blessed with a plethora of well wishers. From FaceBook, Twitter, texts, emails, and personal conversations I was wished Happy Birthday. One of my friends, who commented on my birthday on FaceBook, eventually expressed her aggravation with the amount of updates she was getting on her cell phone every time someone said happy birthday. But she was more aggravated because she kept getting my thank you’s also.
She asked, “Are you going to thank every single person?” I told her, “Yes. If someone feels I’m worthy to take the time to express a thought to, the least I can do is say thank you; and I prefer to do it personally.” I know the time will come that I will be too busy to answer them all personally. When that happens, I have a plan.
Some NASCAR drivers are backed up 2-3 years on autographs requested from fans in the mail. Now I know many of them are busy, but some are just lazy. Before Dale Earnhardt died, he was BY FAR the most popular driver in NASCAR. He received 1000 of autograph requests per week. This is not news. What is news is the fact that when he died, he was only 3 weeks behind, while at the same time, I’m told, Dale Jr was 2 years behind. The difference. Dale Sr took time every day he could just to sign things. Arnold Palmer and Richard Petty would sign every autograph until the last fan left the golf course, and the race track, respectively. Phil Mickelson does that now, too.
This is the right thing to do. I’m no big star (yet); but I am beginning to generate a following. People are listening, processing, and some following my lead. I inspire some of them to do better, or to just do more. And when they take the time to reach out, I’m humbled and I’m honored. The least I can do is to say thank you. I hate when I reach out to congratulate or praise someone, and they ignore me. It makes me think differently of them, and makes me wish I hadn’t contacted them. I never want to do that to anyone. When I get to the point my schedule is too busy to thank someone. I WILL hire a person whose sole purpose is to thank everyone that reaches out to me. That may sound silly but you know what, without the people supporting me, I wouldn’t be busy. I consider that just a part of giving back to them. I owe them that much. If i have never said thank you for supporting me, following me, or reading my blog; I want to take this time to say thank you. From the bottom of my heart. I truly appreciate all of your support
God bless and dress well,
William Wilson
My Great Night at the 25 Most Stylish Event
Last night was a great night for William Wilson Clothing. It was a testament to what God can do and how he can change your life on a dime. But before I get into why it was so great for me, let’s talk about what was really important: the real purpose for the event.
First it was to benefit the American Heart Association. Every dollar made went to the AHA. Brother Fred from 96.1 and Britteny Cason, (from everything else on the Charlotte Scene – I swear she has more jobs that a temp agency) were the hosts and they did an exemplary job. Various local celebrities and designers donated their time to help make the night special. The event was indicative of what you would expect from JSW Media Group and Charlotte Style Magazine, top notch, classy, and professional. Of course, Charlotte Seen was on hand taking care of the red carpet, and Kevin Hughes captured all the glory in pictures for posterity.
William Wilson with the cover of Charlotte Style Magazine. His client Mike Minter is on the cover in one of his suits.
Now, the reason it was a great night for William Wilson Clothing. First, my client Mike Minter was named as one of Charlotte’s 5 Most Stylish, and was featured on the cover with the other 4 finalist including T. Strong (aka @therealtstrong on Twitter). He was wearing a navy blue wool suit by yours truly. Then my client, friend, and fellow Arkansas Chris Harris of the Carolina Panthers participated in the Celebrity Go Red fashion show, and he tore it up as only “The Hitman” can. And lastly, I was named one of Charlotte’s 25 most Stylish people, myself. I’d say that is a pretty good night for a guy that just opened his door for business a little over a year ago, and isn’t open to the general public. This was a great night for me both corporately and personally, and I’d like to thank Charlotte Style Magazine and it’s staff for the honor.
But what I’m the most thankful for is that I have another testimony to the power of God, to tell when I speak to businesses about business practices, branding, and faith; or when I’m counseling my friends that are down and feel like they are never going to get ahead. I can even use this to lift myself up as well sometimes. It’s hard to believe how fast God works when you practice his principles. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not perfect and I have my vices like anyone else. But God knows my heart and always over delivers to me. I hope this never stops. I hope that people can look to the goodness that God has bestowed upon me, a country boy from Arkansas, and see that if he can do it for me, he can do it for them. So again I thank those that nominated me, Charlotte Style Magazine for choosing me, and most of all God for blessing me.
God bless and dress well,
William Wilson
You Can’t Always Charge Full Price For Everything
I’m a businessman. I love what I do, but I don’t do it for free. And I don’t expect others to either. However, I do expect to have an idea of what I am paying for. Especially if you deal with a visual medium, like websites or you are going to be managing something I can’t readily qualify, like PR. I was looking for a someone to design my website and I spoke to a number of great people.They had great words, but none of them gave me anything with which to connect. Just my own mental pictures, which history has shown is’t always the other’s picture.
There is a reason there are pictures in catalogs, because if you selling something meant to be seen, people need to see it. Especially if your describing a concept. Websites are concepts. In some manner suits can be as well, so I have to be able to draw out my idea for my sewers and my clients. Does this take time, of course it does, but it is necessary to get me to fall in love with your concept. Many business don’t want to take the expense of doing work they are not getting compensated for. They don’t see the big picture. In business this is called a loss-leader. You are basically doing work for free, or a reduced price, in order to gain business that will profit you down the road. It’s an investment in your success.
When I started William Wilson Clothing, I offered reduced pricing to specific people who could easily afford my suits. Why? Because having them as clients gave me credibility. Doing that for just one client gained me 3 more. I also donate suits to charities. This is not only a good thing to do morally, but it also gains exposure and brand recognition. All of these cost me in the beginning, but they paid off in the end. One of my best clients won one of my suits at an auction. He was so impressed with the quality and speed, that he continued to buy. To date, he has bought about 10 suits and 15 shirts in the last year.
If any of the web designers had taken the time to build even a quick mock up that I could have an emotional reaction to, I probably would have signed with them. But they didn’t. Sure they will have their reasons and excuses why, but at the end of the day, the end result is, they lost my sale and anyone I would’ve referred to them, because they weren’t willing to put in the sweat equity to earn my business. Same goes to the PR people I have talked to. None of them have given me a plan of action that they would take for my situation. They just tell me things that are possible. A lot of companies like to put the minimum into their client until they have a contract and are getting their money. Which is why, many of them are struggling.
Here is the takeaway for this. There is a reason dealerships let you test drive cars, why department stores have display televisions and appliances, why there are mannequins with clothing on them; to garner an emotional reaction. To allow you to visualize your self using the product. Can this be costly? yes. Is it effective? Absolutely. When people feel a connection or emotional response to an item or idea, they will more than likely purchase it. Put in some sweat equity and give me something to fall in love with. Give me something other than words and proposals. Give me something to like, not just something to sign, and maybe we can do some business.
God bless and dress well,
William the Clothier
Do You Know Who I Am?
I hate when someone calls me out of the blue to meet with me because they want to see “how our businesses can work together”. Especially when they is no feasible way for us to work together. It basically comes down to they just want access to my client list. For those of you who feel this is a bright idea, let me tell you now. IT IS NOT! I deal with high profile clients that do not appreciate being solicited, especially to someone else. If you ask me to do that and I don’t even know you, that further lets me know that you are not accustomed to dealing with highly successful, or high profile people.
But that isn’t what this is about. Today I’m talking about the geniuses that ask to meet with me, but have no idea who I am, what I do, or what I’m about. If you are going to request a meeting with someone, have the decency to do the research and get to know something about them. Nothing makes me feel like I am wasting my time more than sitting in a meeting, I didn’t request, and having to introduce myself. If you asked to meet with me, find out about me on your own. This isn’t a date, this is business. Look at my website, read my blog, look at my Facebook and Twitter updates. Find out as much as you can. This saves us both time, and potentially you a lost sale.
Business is about relationships. I won’t do business myself with people I don’t know; let alone introduce you to someone else in my circle. Now I’m not saying if you do your research you will automatically get my business. But I am saying that if you don’t; I guarantee you will not get my business. I don’t care if you are selling oxygen and I’m suffocating. I do not do business with people that are so disrespectful, incompetent, and unprofessional as to waste my valuable time requesting a meeting, but not doing their due diligence and preparing for it. Successful people don’t meet for the sake of meeting. We don’t fill our calendars with meetings, just to feel busy or important. We meet with a purpose, or we don’t meet at all. My time is valuable. If you don’t have enough professionalism to research the person, and company you are requesting a meeting with, you have no business meeting with them.
God Bless and dress well,
William the Clothier
Ace’s High
William Wilson, CEO William Wilson Clothing
Those of you who know me, not only know that I don’t drink; but that I have never had alcohol- or a cigarette for that matter. This is a little factoid that will never change. However, it is my job to stay abreast on the latest and greatest hot products on the upscale market. This includes cigars, alcohols, and an abundance of other luxury items. Today I will be talking about champagne. Or should I say, the new “King of Bubbly”
It’s called Armand de Brignac. This little known luxury bottle of bubbly goodness, burst on the scene when rapper, and luxury aficionado,
Armand de Brignac is also known as Ace of Spades, in affluent circles
Jay-Z chose it as his replacement for Cristal. He obviously felt disrespected when the general manager of Cristal proclaimed his displeasure for all the love his champagne was getting from the rap community. Well as the old saying goes, “1 man’s loss is another man’s gain.” The new king is undoubtedly loving being on top. According to Cahal Milmo of Herald.ie. Just 36 months since it first appeared, Armand De Brignac will mark its success in muscling in on some of the hardest-fought turf in the €3.26 bn global champagne business by selling out its entire production run of 60,000 bottles. Not bad for a micro operation that employs just 20 people.
Known in the inner circles of the uber rich as Ace of Spades for it’s pewter logo which looks like the ace of spades,Armand de Brignac goes for a cool $250-$280 a bottle. So if you are ready to step your luxury spirit game up and want to play like the big boys. You know what to buy.
Until next time,
God Bless and Dress Well,
William Wilson
Consistency Pays Off
William Wilson, CEO William Wilson Clothing
I was going to post an article on planning today, but a very cool thing just happened to me, that I think bears sharing. I just got off the phone with a new client. Not just any client. This gentleman is one of the biggest CEO’s in America. He is on numerous television shows, and in magazines. His words effect the stock market. Per my clients’ wishes, I will not divulge his name. I am posting this, with his permission, to explain why he decided to pick me as his private clothier.
He told me he had been observing me for about 6 months. I spoke at a university and his son was impressed by my speech. That night, he spoke to his dad and asked him who handled his clothing. His dad told him, and asked him why. He told his dad he had heard me speak and he was impressed. So he started observing me. He said he liked that I was committed to exclusivity by limited my clients to 200, and only accepting 3 new clients a month. He also felt I understood his demanding world. He told me the clothier’s he has dealt with in the past have had no idea what his world is like, and thus what his needs were, or how to deal with them. But he said what really solidified his interest in me was the way I handled a disagreement I had with my friend Sam Badger on Facebook one day. Though she and I disagreed on some points, he appreciated that I defended her when others got involved and attempted to attack her. He said it spoke towards my integrity, and my personal brand.
When he called me this morning (personally I might add). Though he truly expected me to back off my wait list position. He appreciated that I didn’t. And happily accepted a spot on my waiting list. Staying with my principles and business model impressed him so much, he not only went on the wait list, he stated that he wanted me to replace every suit and dress shirt in his closet, and sent a sizable deposit as a show of good faith.
So as you go on with your day, understand this. Someone is watching you at all times. Someone may be watching the way you handle your business this very second. Will they be impressed with what they see, or turned off by it? That decision is up to you. A consistent brand management strategy is speaks volumes to your integrity, your commitment to excellence, your professionalism, and your desire to be the best.
Thank you for your time,
God Bless and Dress Well
Infrastructure- It’s Not Just a Political Talking Point
William Wilson, CEO-William Wilson Clothing
The two most important factors in the initial success of your business is planning and infrastructure, period. I will discuss planning in a future post, but today we are talking about infrastructure. Infrastructure is defined as “The basic, underlying framework or features of a system or organization.” Infrastructure allows you to be flexible, confident, and provide a consistent level of product quality and service. Without the proper infrastructure, even the greatest salesman will go broke. I am often asked to help someone take their business to “the next level”. However, they usually aren’t solidly based on their current level, because they have a fluctuating infrastructure. Everyday they are changing something. They cannot maximize their position, expand with quality continuity, or adjust to the market place. This will surely guarantee failure at some point.
My business was able to become solid relatively quickly because I spent 9 months doing research. First I decided how I wanted my company to look from an execution position. Meaning, how do I describe the logistical services of my company and its products? I wanted to be able to tell my clients 4 things:
1. I have the highest quality suits in the industry.
2. I can deliver 100% custom suits in as little as 7 days.
3. I offer the only concierge-level service in the market.
4. I offer exclusivity that no-one else can provide.
I decided upon these 4 objectives, because these are the things that are important to my clients base. Once I set
Denzel Washington told an actor on The Great Debaters- "Do what you have to do now, to do what you want to do later."
these as my baseline, I set upon developing an infrastructure that would facilitate it. I focused strictly on these objectives. Not price. Not how much will I make. Not where to open a store. I focused strictly on these objectives and moved on from there. I identified my fabric source, and my sewing team. I made sure they could deliver on my demands. I checked my wardrobe to make sure I looked the part. Otherwise, I undercut the integrity of my brand. And I established a list of places and things you will NEVER see me associated with. I did this because you are identified by where you go, and who you regularly deal with. This was not easy, I logged thousands of boring, tedious, brain numbing hours at my computer; forsaking many of the pleasures of life to build this. My personal, social, and romantic life had to take a backseat to build this infrastructure. The bible says “To whom much is given, much is required.” I sacrificed a lot, but it is paying off now. Denzel Washington told on of the stars of The Great Debaters, “Do what you have to do now, to do what you want to do later.”
Thank you for your time,
God Bless and Dress Well!
The New “Perspective” Format
I want to thank all of you who have followed and read The William Wilson Perspective. I have been led to go a different direction with The Perspective. I’m often asked to help people with their gift ideas, businesses, and branding strategies. I am in the process of writing a common sense book on building your business, and working with high net worth people (yes there is a difference). I wish I could help everyone, but I can’t. I think the best way for me to help is through my blog. Therefore, I will be using The Perspective to assist you with the questions I most often asked. I will also be focusing on high-end products. I work with high net worth gentlemen with very demanding, yet affluent lifestyles. I have to be abreast of the items that are important to them, as well as the intricacies of running a successful business that caters to a client base that expects the best of everything.
The First Lesson: Have a Business Model That Fits Your Client’s Needs
My business model isn’t complicated, it’s extremely focused. It’s focused solely on exclusivity and service, not volume. You see I target a very deliberate and concentrated client pool. My clients are successful, and often high profile gentlemen that not only want the best, they can afford it. They live their lives in such a manner that everything is about quality, image, and branding; not price. Don’t get me wrong, they don’t want to be taken for a sucker, but they understand price versus value. If you don’t understand that’s okay, most people don’t. There will be a blog post coming about that.
Anyway, my business model is about exclusivity. Many companies claim to offer exclusive products, but they really don’t. They offer expensive products. A product is not exclusive, just because it’s expensive. Sometimes it’s just overpriced. A product is not exclusive if it is mass produced, and sold to anyone willing to write the check. Expensive only implies exclusivity, it doesn’t guarantee it. It’s like when you go to an event, and they have a “VIP” area, but the ticket price is only $15-$30 dollars more. That’s NOT VIP! That’s a corner of a room marked off with a velvet rope. True VIP comes with perks, and unique access. At a Bobcats game you can get a great lower level seat for $60. But to get VIP treatment, you are going to pay $200 and up. You see the same game, but you get preferred parking, wait service, and private restaurants not available to everyone.
My Business Model
I am one of the most exclusive clothiers in the world. As a private clothier, I am not open to the public, and I only accept 3 new clients a month. I am available to my clients 24 hours a day. I often meet my entertainment industry clients after midnight, because they are in the studio recording. To become my client, you must either be extended a personal invitation, or fill out an application for client consideration. Private client membership is limited to 200 (only 115 available to Charlotte clients). Most people don’t have the option of being my client, because I decide whom I choose to do business with. Not because I’m better than anyone, but because my business model is designed to service a uniquely specific demographic. I don’t target my clients because they have excessive income. I target them because they appreciate and value my product. If I have already accepted my 3 clients for the month, I give them the option of a wait list. Some of you may feel this is bold or cocky. If you do, you are not my client. Nor do you understand the needs, and emotional triggers, of my clients, or understand the service I provide. I don’t just sell suits, I sell time. I sell access, and I sell bragging rights to my clients. My clients are not impressed by name brands. Armani, D&G, and Gucci mean nothing to them, because they are just over-priced off-the-rack suits. My clients wear custom clothing. All of their suits have THEIR OWN NAMES in them.
As a private clothier, I’m not just a clothier. I’m a lifestyle consultant. I consult my clients not only on suits, but on the things that come with their lifestyle. I am currently studying up on mega yachts. The summer is quickly approaching and they will be renting, leasing, and buying yachts. I need to know these things. I need to know about private jets, expensive watches, golf courses, and fine dining areas. These are normal parts of my clients world and I need to understand how they live.
I hope you will be able to use The Perspective to build, grow, restructure, or solidify your business. Those of you that know me, know that I am a straight forward person. My advice will be direct, focused, and at times painful. The truth hurts sometime. It’s not personal. It’s just business. Just know I’m doing this out of love, not malice.
God Bless and Dress Well,
William Wilson
My Words to the Haters!
I am one of the most exclusive custom clothiers in the world. I target the best of the best, and have been successful for it. I openly try to help as many people as I can. I make charitable contributions, and I speak to more kids in a month than many do in a lifetime. Non-profits are a part of my annual budget. I am successful and I attempt to make others successful, and bless those who ask as God has blessed me. And you know what, I have a TON of haters.
I will admit that it can be very hurtful when people you care about stab you in the back. It’s a level of betrayal little can compare to. And it can really throw you for a loop. Now that I have acknowledged that, get over it. That’s all the power you should give it. You have to treat haters like a mosquito. They will sneak up and stick you, and suck the blood out of you, then when they are full they will move on to the next person. They don’t really contribute anything to the ecosystem. They just buzz in your ear, suck the life out of you, then move on to the next person. And no matter what you do, you cannot get rid of them. You get rid of one, another replaces it.
Haters have a purpose in your life. They are the true gauge of your success. If someone takes the time to hate on you for no reason, that means you are making an impact. If they REALLY hate on you, you are having an effect. If they can’t stand you, and you’ve never done anything to them, You are becoming a success. You want haters. You need haters. Hating is the acknowledgement of jealousy, by people to ignorant to know they are jealous. Think about it. How often do you hear a person get hated on that is just average? You don’t! People hate on those that are accomplishing things in front of them that they could’ve done; but was too lazy to try. That’s fine. Let them hate. In fact, try to double your haters like you double your profits. But don’t give them power.
People only have as much power as you give them. It is always the person with the least to offer that is always adding their 2 cents. I have often wondered how someone with so little knowledge, can have so much to say; how someone with so little success is able to predict MY achievement of greatness. And how it’s always the person that is most ignorant that always speaks the loudest. But then I learned the answer. When a person is a loser and a miserable failure. They realized they will never be more than someone else allows them to be. Whether it’s their boss, significant other, family members, or friends; they will never rise above anyone. So their only option is to attempt to bring others down to their level. If you have those kinds of people in your life, here is what you say to them. Thank you.
Thank them for letting you know you are better than them. Thank them for letting you see how much you affect them. Thank them for letting you realize you are a rising star. And last, but not least, thank them for letting you realize you are making a difference. Then warn them. Let them know there is more to come. Here is my response to my haters, feel free use it yourself.
“If you were upset with my success last year, you are going to be sick with the success this year. I am coming bigger, stronger, harder and with more attitude and resolve than ever. I will succeed because God said I was a winner. As I succeed I will help others succeed, which will probably make you even madder. So I offer you two suggestions. 1. Go see your doctor and get a prescription for the stress your nerves are going to endure as I succeed. 2. Take the knife out of my back and use it to cut the strings of pride that are binding you, and let me help you succeed as well. For even though I use your hate as motivation, I would rather use your love as inspiration.”
God Bless and Dress Well
William Wilson
The Clothier
Never Stop Listening to Your Clients
If you pay attention, Washington will teach you how to NOT run a business. The biggest lesson they are teaching is to listen to your clients. If you don’t listen to your clients, they WILL go elsewhere for what they want. The state of Massachusetts, a historically Democratic state, voted a Republican party for the first time in over 50 years. Immediately, we were saturated with the spin and propaganda from both sides. Democrats are saying their candidate didn’t run a proper campaign. Republicans are saying it was a message to the Washington, DC status quo. Which one is correct? Neither. Change came because the people felt like they weren’t being listened to. The Democratic candidate was so arrogant, that she just assumed she would win, so she never heard the pleas of her constituency. The winner wasn’t a Republican either, he was an Independent that did 3 things. 1. Recognized an Independent couldn’t win in MA. 2. Campaigned and listened to the people. 3. Formulated his main issue, based on the response from the voters. In essence, HE JUST LISTENED TO HIS CLIENTS.
The new voter is the same as the new client. Today’s client is not loyal to a particular store, company, or party. They are loyal to their needs. That’s it. That’s the list. So if you are going to be successful in business or politics, you need to listen to your clients. They will let you know their needs. Either by continuing to patronize your business, or by going elsewhere. The Massachusetts election wasn’t a Republican win. He will likely vote about as much for one side as the other. He said in his acceptance speech that he didn’t owe any party anything. He won because he recognized the most important things weren’t polls, and donors. It was the needs of his customers. They wanted someone they felt was listening.
Your customer wants you to listen. I have been successful because I was able to use my ideas as guides, not an absolutes. Many times I have had ideas that I thought were magnificent, and they were really just junk. If I hadn’t had the ability to adjust to my clients’ overwhelming response to my ideas or changes, I would have been out of business by now. However, I did listen to then, and they have made me successful. If you think you have a great idea, but no on else is buying from you, maybe your idea isn’t so great. Remember, fall in love with your wife or girlfriend, not your ideas. They will betray you and destroy you if they don’t work and you don’t adjust. Be willing to make changes if you need. That is how you succeed.
It’s Time For Some Racial Accountability!
I have been asked all day about what I thought of Sen. Harry Reid’s comments about America being willing to vote for Barack Obama because he was light skinned and didn’t use the “Negro Dialect”, unless he wanted to. I will upset some of you when I make my next statement. I absolutely agree! Not only do I agree, but I know many people agree because it was a topic of discussion on many occasions for me. Look, we can try to put our heads in the sand, and act like this statement isn’t true. We can even feign a false sense of offense to the statement. But it is absolutely true. Look at Madison Avenue. Look at the cover of just about every magazine. Look at the television stars. Look at movie stars. And this isn’t just about white America. Look at the covers of Ebony, Jet, and other “black magazines”. You will see a dominance of straight haired, light skinned blacks on a majority of the covers. I’m not saying this is right, or that it is even fair, but it is true; even in our own community. I am a dark-skinned black man. I thank God often for Spike Lee and Wesley Snipes. In Mo’ Betta Blues, when Shadow was breaking off Cynda Williams’ character (sorry I can’t remember her name), that changed the market value for the dark-skinned brother everywhere. It was okay for us be sexy then. Before then it was Al B. Sure, Christopher Williams, El DeBarge and other light-skinned brothers that were holding it down. Spike made it ok for Morris Chestnut to be sexy. But dark-skinned brothers are considered less sexy in many instances. The guy that handles my security is a 6’2, 6’3 light-skinned brother named Jason Barton. I’m secure enough to say Jason is a good looking guy (and he will break you down if you roll up on me too quick at an event). My boys and I give Jason a hard time for being a pretty boy. We do this because we still know the score. Light-skinned guys will more often be considered more attractive, just as light-skinned women will, though us dark-skinned ones get our love too. And though us dark skinned brothers are getting more love now, I admit, it is still a much larger gap between light and dark skinned women, til this day. So if we are going to act like this in our own community, how can we be shocked if the same sentiment is shared in the white one?
But the bigger issue I have is the “offense” we are taking with the “Negro Dialect” statement. Let’s stop faking like this is so appalling and we can’t believe it. I’ve been listening to this story a majority of the day and you know what I hear as a defense? I hear the same 4 people called out as articulate, not by white people, but by black ones. Martin Luther King, Al Sharpton, Colin Powell, and Jesse Jackson. Those are the four. 15 hours and a parade of hosts later and our own people can only think of 4 articulate men to use as a defense for us. That’s embarrassing and alarming to itself. I can’t count how often I hear Jesse Jackson mocked in the black community for LACK of articulation, and for making up words. So today to have him elevated as part of the standard is amusing in itself. Now I have often said that I am accused all of the time of trying to “act white” because I didn’t necessarily use the same vernacular as some others. I use proper grammar and I still get ridiculed. Not by white people, but by black people. My people! I hate to let the cat out of the bag, since apparently some of you didn’t know this, but there IS an assumed “Negro Dialect”! It may not be called that, but it is. We call it street, slang, and dirty south talk, and my favorite, keeping it real. I don’t even know what that means. And I won’t even start on our use of “The N word”. I listen to “our station” in the mornings sometimes and I hear, “What da business is? I watch BET and for but a select few shows, it just perpetuates the stereotype of our ignorance, laziness, and lack of sophistication. I am proud to say that the majority of programming and portrayal of black men on television doesn’t reflect me. But I’m sad to say, it affects me. I have to fight certain prejudices already due to my skin color. To say otherwise would be naive. But when I hear ignorant speaking, and look at my television and the representation I see is Lil Wayne, I shake my head. I listen to “our music” and all they do is tell me how much “cush” they’re smoking, women they are sleeping with, and calling women b’s and h’s. It’s pathetic. But what’s more pathetic is, not only do we allow it, we encourage it. We encourage it by doing nothing. I see women go crazy about seeing Drake, as he brags about lying to women and using them. Is this what we want to be depicted as? Irresponsible, non-moral having, panty chasers with nothing useful to say or do, but brag about being rich, sleeping with as many women as possible, get high an dsee how many times they can cuss in 3 minutes. Listen to what we say. Look at what we do. Where is our own respect? Where is our pride? We are more upset that Michael Vick killed some dogs than we are that women are being called b’s and h’s in almost every hot rap song out there, and we line up to pay money to place these people on pedestals buy buying there cd’s and going to there concerts.
If we depict there is a difference, don’t be upset that it is identified. Obama is more articulate and less threatening than many of the men (black or white) that I see (myself included- but I’m working to get better everyday). He makes people comfortable. He is a role model. If I had children, I would want them to look to him as a model of how to act in public and to display the pride of my family. But only for that. I don’t know what skeletons he has in his closet, and that isn’t my business, or the issue. The issue is Harry Reid’s statements. He said what a lot of us said (black and white). I know it. I said it. And I had it said to me. His articulation was impressive. It was. But if we are going to be insulted and pissed off, and call for a man to lose his job because we were embarrassed by what he said. Maybe we should spend some time fighting to be represented better by our own media. We hold the white media to a higher standard with our image than we do our own. Don’t think so? Why are people watching Real Housewives of Atlanta? That is ghetto if I have ever seen it. And Tiny and Toya? Really? We are entertained by shows we would be too embarrassed to watch with our white friends,and family.
Before we complain and be upset by the way white America sees us. Maybe we need to hold black media accountable for how THEY choose to portray us. But if you don’t want to, that’s your choice. I get up every morning and do whatever I can to display a positive image, be a good role model, and a positive ambassador of black America. For those of you who want to call that selling out, you can kiss my tail. For those of you offended by my words, too bad! Read someone else’s blog. Because to be honest, if you live in the real world and don’t think what I am saying is the God honest truth, I” don’t represent you anyway. You are part of the problem and you can feel free to de-friend me on Facebook, and un-follow me on Twitter!
I have worked too hard for the good and respectable name that I have. And too many people have sacrificed for me to be here. And I refuse to let some low expectation having, wanna-be, but never will, destroy the positive pavement I am trying to lay for the people, black, white, and otherwise, that come after me. I owe the black, and white, people that sacrificed during the civil rights movement for me to be treated equal, and have the same opportunities as everyone else. I owe my mother that sacrificed and did without, so that we could have. I owe the people that have helped me get to where I am, and to where I am going. I owe the generation that won’t ask to be born into this world, but will be here anyway. And I owe all of you who look up to me, that say the kind words of encouragement to me, that tell your children to look up to me, that asks me to come to your school and your organizations to speak to your members and students. I owe every one of you. I owe it to you to be the best man I can be. And I will do my best. I’m not perfect. I’m gonna make mistakes. I’m gonna fall flat on my face at times. But I promise you, I will get back up, and I will keep going. And hopefully, when my time on Earth is over, and I face the Lord in Judgment; he will say “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
God Bless and Dress Well
William Wilson
Please Facebook Limit The Number of Events Invitations
I’m a businessman. I fully understand the necessity of marketing, promoting, and exposure. I even understand the desire to want to constantly be in front of the world
Facebook, please limit the number of events promoters can send per week!
to get your name out there. I also understand that social media is a great way to get your name out to a ton of people for little to no money. HOWEVER, there is a such thing as overkill, and some of you Facebook promoters are past that point. First let me explain what I like to call the exposure cycle.
There are 6 stages of exposure:
1. Initial exposure: The first time you hear a commercial or gain some knowledge of an event or product.
2. Acknowledgment: You process the existence of an event or product, and loosely place it in your memory bank.
3. Curiosity: You actually get interested in the product, and consider learning more about it.
4. Acceptance: You become accustomed to the advertising and have no ill feeling towards it.
5. Annoyance: You see the advertisement so often, that you begin to have a negative response when you see or hear about it.
6. Rejection: You reach a point of rebellion and either tune out, tune away from, or refuse to ever attend or utilize the product.
This isn’t scientific, this is just from my experience in business. People have a low tolerance for being harassed, especially when it comes to them being told what to do. Even more so, when it comes to telling people where to go. Though I acknowledge Facebook has been a great exposure source for me and it has made me thousands of dollars, there is a reason it has worked for me. I don’t bombard my Facebook friends with an endless barrage of event advertisements.
When I first opened my Facebook account, I enjoyed hearing about various events in the area. I still do. But it has gotten to be too much. Everyday I get literally bombarded with event invitations. My message inbox looks like I work for an event planning company. For every actual personal message I get, I get 20 event invitations. This is one thing. But what gets on my nerves is they come from the same 10 people, and you know who you are. Facebook promoters harass us with invitations to stuff we have no desire to go to. I will get 12 messages, all from the same person, about 12 different events in about 10 minutes time. Enough already! And if you are one of these people using the service, I suggest you research your promoter. There are promoters now that I literally don’t even read their messages anymore. When I see their name, I just delete the message. Not because of the type of event, but they have gotten on my last nerve. If you are paying for this, you are losing your money on people like me. Not only do I not read the events, I immediately delete it. And I know tons of people who feel this way. I wish Facebook would put a limit to how many events you can promote per month, because this is beyond aggravating.
Now I’m not trying to stop someone from making a living. We all have to eat. But cool out with the overzealous event promotion. Put together a strategic campaign based on your target market/ clientele. In other words, do your job and stop being lazy and just sending crap to everybody. Have some pride and dignity in what you do. I’m a private clothier, if I am having a campaign, I want my message going out to my potential clients, not 30 men that dress like they fell off a truck heading to Rap City. My campaigns are targeted, and they only come out maybe once every couple of weeks (if that often). I don’t want to know about every party you are involved in, honestly. I don’t want to get bombarded with invitations to every event that everyone of your clients is throwing. In about 3 more days, my number of Facebook friends will be much smaller. My Twitter followers already are. I’m going to de-friend about 20-25 people because they flood me with too many events. So please stop sending me and the rest of us a bunch of junk we don’t need. And if you are a business looking for a social media marketer, make sure they know how to drive a successful campaign for you. Not just send your information to people who don’t care, at your expense. That’s my rant. You all have a great day.
God Bless and dress well
Stop Trying to Use the “Black Privilege”!
Stop using "Black Privilege and show minority businesses the respect they deserve.
Business isn’t difficult. It is actually a very simple concept. If you have a product people want, at a reasonable price, most of the time, they will buy. Notice I said most, not all. Not everyone will buy your product, for different reasons. Don’t be discouraged, or disheartened; that’s just part of business. Some people won’t buy because they can’t afford it, this isn’t about them. We all have something we would love to buy but can’t yet afford.
But some people are just cheap. There is just no other way around it. Some people are looking for the hookup. It’s the old “Black Privilege“. That’s right, I went there. I know some of you know exactly what I’m talking about, because we have discussed it. It’s the old “Come on brother, can you hook me up?” I can’t tell you how often I get this. I am a private clothier, and my services are priced very reasonably. Most people will approach me, find out about my product, hear the price and they usually buy. But there is a segment that will always ask me for a hookup. Though I have no reason to give them one.
It wouldn’t bother me so much if I was selling bootleg DVD’s out of the back of my truck, or if I had a booth at the swap meet. But I don’t. I run a legitimate business. I offer a superior product and I expect to be compensated for it. I’m not looking to get rich off of a client, but I expect fair compensation and respect for my goods just like a white company would get. This really gets on my nerves when someone asks for a hook up, but they pull up in a Benz or a Lexus. Or they tell me they usually shop at some high end stores like Nordstrom’s or Neiman Marcus. If you can pay the ridiculously overcharged prices at those stores you can pay my prices, and receive a better product. What really makes me mad is that they wouldn’t go into those stores and try to talk them down, because they would look like they couldn’t afford it.
Maybe they feel that since I don’t operate out of a storefront, then I must be on the hustle. Don’t get it twisted fellas. I am by no means on the hustle. I have a client list that reads like a who’s who of Charlotte elite. I don’ t operate from a storefront because I am a PRIVATE tailor. My target market is businessmen that understand the value of custom clothing, and having a private tailor. They have demanding schedules and having an on-call tailor that will handle their needs, at their home or office, allows them to be more productive. Though they are not looking to get cheated for the service, they acknowledge that convenience, luxury, and exclusivity come with a price. And by exclusive, I mean TRULY EXCLUSIVE. I limit my client list to 200 globally. Once I have 200 clients, I am not taking on any more clients. My clients see me as an integral part of their success. If you are one of those people that are always looking for a hookup, then I am not your tailor and you are not my target client. I”m not a swap meet hustler just trying to make some cash. I am a recognized and respected businessman.
And I know many of you are dealing with the same thing. I can’t count the times I have spoken with minority business owners and they tell me they are tired of people trying to “get the hookup” from THEM, but they will walk into a white establishment and pay full price, and turn around and brag on how much they paid. Stop treating minority businesses like barbershop hustlers that only operate through hookups. Show them the respect the same respect you show other businesses. If they have a legitimate product,come out of your pocket. If you can’t afford it, just walk away.
Now to my fellow minority business owners. IF you want to be treated like a legitimate business, ACT LIKE ONE. If you run your business like a swap meet, expect to be treated as such. Dress like a professional, have a decent vocabulary, and understand how to operate in the business arena. Some of you handle your business so poorly, no wonder you are never taken seriously. But I will touch on that in future posts, for now we are talking about the Black Privilege.
And please stop volunteering to “wear one of my suits” if you have no real status. I know your game. I’m not stupid. If no one knows who you are, then why would I spend the money to make you a suit? How dumb do you think I am? I have clients that are seen nationally in the NFL, in NASCAR, and that perform in front of sold out arenas; and THEY pay for my suits. Why on God’s green Earth would I pay money to just give you a suit, when I won’t get a return on my investment. Now if you have status, and there is a potential business arrangement that can be made, then we can work out a significantly discounted rate for my services, But even then, it has to make smart business sense.
Before you stop and as me to make you a suit again, here are a few things to consider :
1.What have you done for me? Meaning, have you ever bought or sent me any clients?
2, Do people know, or CARE, who you are?
3. Who are your peers?
4. What would your peers say about you if I mention you? If they don’t speak highly of you, what good would you do me?
5. What’s your level of influence? Basically, how much credibility to you have in your circle of influence? If people don’t appear impressed by you, I don’t need you.
6. How do you dress/act now? I’m not a thug or a gangster. If you dress/act like a thug, why would I want you to represent me?
7. What kind of events do you attend? I need to know if you are at events that my clients go to. If you are the big fish in a room full of people that dress like Lil Wayne, I don’t need you.
8. How do you live your life? If you are always getting drunk, high, or in the strip clubs, buy your clothes from someone else. You don’t represent my brand.
9. How much money will I make from working with you? If I make you a suit and never see a return from it, I’m just making a donation to your closet.
10. Am I impressed enough with you to spend hundreds of dollars on you? That’s what I would have to do to make you a suit.
Odds are, if I don’t offer to make you a suit, and you have to offer to wear one, I won’t make you one. So don’t ask. I am literally around some of the most popular and successful people in Charlotte, all day. If they are willing to buy, then so can you. Stop trying to play me for a fool and give me, and other minority business owners, the same respect you give the storefront operations. Do you think Paul Simon will make a suit for you to wear? Of course they won’t. But the bigger issue at hand is, you would never ask them. They would laugh you out of the store. Show us the same respect.
Stop Wasting Time- Get It Done
We all have things that we need to do, that we just don’t want to do. We either hate doing it, aren’t sure how to do it, or are afraid of the consequences of doing it. Whatever the reason, we put it off until we absolutely have to do it. This is called procrastination. Though this is common practice and completely understandable, it is the single most counterproductive thing you will do (or not do) all day, and it will DESTROY your business. My thing is purging emails. I’m not a big paperwork guy as it is, and sitting at a desk doing it could not interest me less. I know this sounds crazy, considering I will spend hours at a computer doing research. But I LOVE doing research, and I HATE purging emails, but I get about 100-120 emails a day, if I don’t purge them regularly, they will gang up on me. So, I have to do it. I found the best thing for me to do is set aside 15-20 min 4 times a day, allocated strictly to email purging.
Time management is a crucial part of the success of your business. There are only so many hours in the day. In order to maximize it,
You can't make time, but you can waste it. Treat time as a valued commodity; because it is.
you need to schedule out as much of it as you can. Now before I go any further, let me admit, I am not the best at this, so I know what many of you are going to say, so don’t. Quite often if we will do the little things that need to be done in a timely manner, they won’t pile up on us.
Does this sound familiar to you? You have a small task to do. It won’t take long, but you don’t want to do it, so you put it off. Over time it adds up and becomes a bigger issue. The bigger issue it becomes, the less you want to deal with it. By the time you finally get around to it, it has become a deadline item, that has to be done and will take you two days to do. The first thing you think of is man, I should have done this earlier. Sound like anyone you know? I’m not too proud to say it sounds like me. But I’m working on it. Here is the best way to categorize and prioritize you task: Urgent and Important, Not Urgent but Important, Urgent but Not Important, Not Urgent Not Important.
Urgent and Important- Do right away. (Preferably first thing in the morning)
Not Urgent but Important- Do second (Stay ahead of this so it doesn’t rise upexpectedly)
Urgent but Not Important- Knock them out if you have free time, but don;t get too lazy about it.
Not Urgent and Not Important- Do these when you get a chance.
Follow this little trick and it should give you back a part of your day. (Or at least get morethings done.)
Wealth Isn’t Made on a 9-5
Entrepreneurship is a calling not a job or a career. It requires a commitment and dedication that few possess. There are a number of factors that go into becoming a successful entrepreneur. Things like infrastructure, financing, marketing, sourcing, branding, and image are all important factors. But to me, the most important factor is training. You have to know what you are doing if you are going to become a successful entrepreneur. Many of us start businesses because we have a passion and a skill, and we feel we can monetize it. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it only works for a while. Sometimes it works for a long time, but it never grows. You reach what we call a business plateau. Much like working out, if you do the same thing all of the time, you will not gain any more benefit, though you may not lose any either. But no entrepreneur I know just wants to make a little money. They want to build empires, pass down legacies to their children, and never have to worry about money issues again. As I said, all of them want that, but few of them ever achieve it.
Though "Diddy" is a $300mil global brand. He still works 16-20 hour days.
I have been fortunate to have started a couple of successful businesses and either adjusted the plans for them, or got rid of them before things could go bad. However, things were not always wonderful. I have had a plethora of business ideas that I have researched and even tried to start, only to fall flat on my face. But from each of those failures I learned something, even if it was just that I was over my head, and had no business trying to run a business in that industry. But the most valuable lesson I learned, I learned from my friend, Mike Rucker. We met up one morning at Panera Bread in Concord, and I had about 3-4 businesses I was thinking of starting at one time, or in close succession. He told me to find one thing and do it well. Then if that takes off, then think about adding to it. But make sure that your businesses can all support each other. That was great advice. But I actually learned 2 things that day. The additional advice I learned, and without a doubt the most important, is to seek advice and answers from people smarted than me, or that have been where I am going. This opened up a brand new world to me.
From that point on, I have sought advice from a number of people, and on different topics. Sometimes if I’m thinking of making a move, I will ask a complete stranger if my idea makes sense to them, or is something they would buy in, or participate in it, and why. I am smart enough to know that I don’t know everything. I am constantly learning something new. And I love it. My business has flourished and it has opened a lot of doors to me that were not only shut, I didn’t even know they existed. But they have opened and i have been welcomed with open arms.
How did I get these doors to open so quickly? Was it being in the right places? Was it knowing the right people? Was it wearing the right clothes? Was it speaking the right language? It was all if these, and it was none of these. It was because I did my research. I once posted on Facebook, While you are partying, I’m doing research. While you are “in- line” at the club, I’m “on-line” looking for the next move to make.” I spend countless hours in front of my computer reading, studying, and learning. Sometimes, I’m on it and I turn around and the sun has risen and I realize I’ve been on this thing 14 straight hours. I’m not suggesting you spend that kind of time (especially if you have a wife, family, or girlfriend), but you are going to have to put in some hours to be successful. I sleep on average 4-5 hours a night. Not on purpose, that’s just how I’m built. Sean “Diddy” Combs once said, “When you are sleeping, you are losing money.” He spends ridiculous hours working like I do. Wealth is not created from a 9-5. You may become well off. You may even become rich. But I’m talking about wealth. The kind of wealth that assures financial freedom for 2-3 generations. The kind that generates more money in interest in 6 months, than most people make in 6 years. Not the “I got a Benz with custom rims money”, but “I have my own private island money”. That isn’t accumulated on a 9-5.
I am re-focusing The William Wilson Perspective because I feel I can help people. We are blessed to be a blessing. I will be offering information and advice as I see the world and how I have applied it. Some of you won’t take. That’s okay. Everyday someone asks me if I will mentor them, advise them, or just want to know how I got where I am. I wish I could take the time to help everyone, but I can’t. My schedule is too hectic. But what I can do, is share the knowledge that I have, and that I gain, to assist those that will listen. In less than 2 years, I have started a company, got a who’s who client list, and landed a spot as a spokesperson for a private jet. 11 years ago I moved to Charlotte in an 84 Chevy Blazer with 175,000 miles on it, no a/c, no furniture, 1 suit, a television, a vcr, bean bag chair and air mattress. Now I have a 3000 sq. ft. house, a collection of luxury watches, national recognition, and when necessary, I fly in a private jet. I don’t say that to boast, I say that to let you know, you can do it too. I’m just a country boy from Arkansas. If I can do it, anyone can. But it all starts with knowledge, and wisdom.
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Custom is the Only Way to Go
There is a common misnomer that if it has an expensive label, it has to be good. This isn’t always true. Actually, it rarely is; especially when it comes to clothing. Many of us get so caught up in the prestige of the tags that we have no idea about the true quality of an item. This is a brand manager’s dream come true. I’ll explain.
Me working with my client Julius Hill
When I hear a man comes up to me like a baller and tells me, “This suit I’m wearing is Armani, what do you think about it?” My answer is, “Are you sure you want to know?” If he says yes, I tell him, “I think you got robbed.” And it’s true, he was taken to the cleaners. Heis wearing a suit that is worth about 15% of what he paid for it. That suit was manufactured in a suit mill along with about 30 other designers. The deciding factor between whether that suit goes to K&G for $199, Brooks Brothers for $899, or Neiman Marcus for $1995 is the tag that is applied inside. If you want really quality and prestige, buy custom. Custom is the ONLY way you can get quality, selection, and luxury. Any man that spends $900 or more for a suit, and it isn’t custom is throwing money away. PERIOD. I don’t care what the salesman (on commission) at Norstrom’s told you. He is supposed to make you feel good about spending too much money for a high production, mid quality,overpriced suit. The tag in your suit should say Your Name, not a designer. I once wrote on my Facebook status that if you answer the question “Where did you get your suit?” with a store name, you were not a “Big Dog”. Real players have tailors, not store receipts. They have someone come out to their residence with a store full of fabric swatches and design his suits for him, then deliver them to his place of residence. If you still want to overspend on overpriced suits so you can brag to your friends that don’t know better, go right ahead. But if you want to graduate to the Big Boy’s Club, it starts with custom. After all why is some designer’s name more valuable to you than yours. This is just food for thought. Shop where you wish, but if you want to move up to the big leagues, go custom.
William Wilson is the CEO of William Wilson Clothing, America's Most Exclusive Private Clothier. His clients are the who's who of corporate America, professional athletics, entertainment and politics.
