Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Andy Sommer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Andy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the decision of whether to donate a percentage of sales to an organization or cause – we’d love to hear the backstory of how you thought through this.

Yes, my wife and I feel strongly about contributing to the fight against human trafficking, which is a global issue that also hits close to home for us in Houston. We donate a significant percentage of our sales to organizations dedicated to this cause. The issue of human trafficking is particularly acute in Houston, which unfortunately ranks second in the nation for this heinous crime.

As proud members of the Houston community, we feel it is our duty to use our business as a platform to contribute in any way possible. We believe that businesses should play a significant role in tackling the major societal issues of their communities. This is not just about business for us; it’s about making a meaningful difference and striving to save vulnerable women and children from an unimaginable life.

Through our contributions, we support various initiatives that these organizations undertake such as survivor rehabilitation, public education on spotting signs of trafficking, and lobbying for stronger laws against traffickers. We are dedicated to this cause and hope that our contributions can bring about tangible change.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am Andy Sommer, the CEO of OffChance, a forward-thinking startup studio dedicated to simplifying the intricacies of brand creation, operations management, and providing invaluable educational resources. Our journey commenced with a modest retail endeavor in Houston Heights, a venture my wife Morgan and I embarked on at the age of 25. The initial success propelled us to a partnership with United, establishing a presence in the International Airport of Houston. This venture, while enriching, paved the way for a significant expansion from a 500-square-feet store to a substantial 4,000-square-feet space.

However, the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic presented unforeseen challenges, leading to a temporary closure of Forth & Nomad. During this demanding period, creativity flourished, birthing The Coffee Bar and Saint Morgan, our home fragrance brand. These new ventures symbolized resilience and our continuous endeavor towards thoughtful living.

The creation of OffChance was a strategic move to streamline operations amidst our growing brand portfolio, centralizing around the ethos of thoughtful living. Today, OffChance embodies a commitment to efficiency, empowerment, and fostering a thriving community. We offer a holistic solution for businesses and individual creators, managing the complexities of brand development while providing a plethora of resources to support entrepreneurial ambitions.

As we envisage the future, the ambition is to not only nurture and grow our existing brands but to welcome new ones into the OffChance family. We are poised to continue creating a conducive environment for brand growth, facilitating a unique ecosystem where businesses and entrepreneurs can thrive with confidence. Our promise is to transform the journey of brand creation and management into a seamless, efficient, and rewarding experience.

The core of OffChance resonates with three fundamental values: efficiency, empowerment, and community. Our vision is to continuously broaden our community, evolve our offerings, and remain a steadfast companion for entrepreneurs and businesses alike. In a realm where branding carves the identity, we are committed to ensuring that every narrative is distinctly articulated, every brand shines uniquely, and every entrepreneurial journey is a tale of discovery, growth, and fulfillment with OffChance as a reliable ally.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Venturing into entrepreneurship, Morgan and I initially bootstrapped our business entirely on our own, investing every bit of our savings to fuel this dream. As the narrative of growth unfolded, the need for expansion nudged us towards raising capital privately through investors to propel the initial concept forward. Reflecting on this phase, a piece of pivotal advice I’d offer is the importance of seeking professional counsel regarding the amount of funds to raise. Our initial misstep was underestimating the required capital, which left us with a tighter runway than needed to hit the ground running optimally. This financial constraint was further accentuated with the onset of COVID-19, highlighting that a more substantial initial fund could have paved the way for better-informed short and long-term decisions, rendering us more resilient to unforeseen challenges.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

The tale of how I crossed paths with my wife and business accomplice unfolds quite interestingly. Our narrative was initially poised to commence at the age of 22 when a mutual acquaintance attempted to play matchmaker and set us up on a date. However, the timing was off-kilter as we resided in different cities and I was on the verge of embarking on a year-long sojourn to Australia. Consequently, the idea fluttered away as quickly as it came. The plot took a turn two years later upon my return to Houston when, serendipitously, a different friend from another circle reintroduced us. Our connection blossomed rapidly and within a year, we exchanged vows. During our courtship, the narrative of embarking on a business venture together frequently peppered our conversations, although the contours of what that venture would be remained nebulous at the time.

Contact Info:

• Website: offchance.com, andysommer.com
• Instagram: @andy_sommer
• Facebook: facebook.com/andysommer
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/andy-sommer
• Twitter: @andy__sommer