We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anne Hydock a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Anne, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My Why and My Mission

I offer an elevated brand experience for busy professionals, specializing in men of all shapes and sizes to get the proper fit and look their absolute best for all occasions. Helping discerning men with value, quality and convenience is my passion.

I am a J.Hilburn Independent Style Consultant, a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and Preferred Vendor of several wedding venues and country clubs.

What you wear matters and first impressions are everything. A Princeton University study determined we form first impressions in just 1/10 of a second. That 1/10 of a second can make or break you. TRUST begins with what they see ~ no matter how good your product or service is.

A perfectly styled suit, sport coat and casual wear enhances one’s appearance and posture ~ boosting confidence in both professional and social settings.

While I am based in Cleveland, I work remotely and have clients across the country. J.Hilburn works with the most respected mills in Italy and eliminates the traditional mark-ups used by many custom clothiers.

Custom clothing fits better, lasts longer, avoids costly alterations and fast fashion. With J.Hilburn, key factors include craftmanship, fabric quality, attention to detail, concierge service and value.

It is incredibly rewarding when my clients try on their J.Hilburn clothes and it fits them in all the right places. Their smile says it all and they BEAM with confidence! And who doesn’t love a sharp-dressed man!

What I Offer

• Making it easy for men to dress well and feel great
• Concierge service ~ office and house calls. Virtual fittings too
• Saving men time, money and getting the proper fit
• One-stop shopping, 11 clothing categories ~ jeans to tuxedos
• Hard to fit men
• Executive Presence ~ Men who want to up their game
• Creativity ~ Design it your way
• 100% fit guarantee
• Wardrobe Analysis/Closet Audit

Anne, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I always wanted to do something entrepreneurial and did not have the capital. My dream became a reality in 2016. I discovered J.Hilburn from my daughter in the fashion and entertainment industry. My love of fashion came when I was 5 and I loved shopping. I learned to sew just like my Mom and grandmothers. I also modeled, as did my daughter, cousin and grandmother.

Problems I solve:
“Give me your tired of shopping, your hard-to-fit masses yearning to breathe (without busting your buttons!), men needing to enhance their executive presence, grooms wanting to look their best for their Big Day and men of all shapes finding clothes that fit properly.”

Many men hate to shop. I make it so easy and without them leaving their office or home!

Some of my clients are colorblind, have sloped shoulders, vertically challenged, slim fit, athletic fit, Big & Tall, Extended and Plus Size. Some had a significant weight loss. Many of us are not symmetrical ~ one arm or leg can be longer than the other. My shortest client is 5’4″ and my tallest is 6’8″.

I give attorneys that subtle confidence and sophisticated edge they need in the courtroom, during heated negotiations and meeting a first-time client.

What Sets Me Apart from the Competition:

• Making it easy for men to dress well and feel great
• I know CEO-speak ~ having worked with C-level executives in several industries
•  Education ~ Some men don’t know about collar rolls, back pulls, fabric benefits and proper fit
•  Attention to detail and strong work ethic
•  Letting my clients “drive the bus” ~ I don’t push looks on my clients unless they want to be adventurous

My proudest moment is when I resigned from my trade show sales career to focus 100% on my business. I never looked back. As a relationship-builder, I am grateful for the working relationships I have established with my clients.

Have you always wanted to be self-employed, but were hesitant to make a change? Do your research. Take a leap of faith and dive in. Follow your dreams. Do something you love and love doing it every day.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Like many professionals in various industries during the Great Recession, I was laid off from commercial real estate as an Event Planner. My career put me in rooms with men who needed my help with fit, fashion and function. I saw a need and turned this into my passion.

During my career transition, I networked like crazy, attended career and social media workshops and cold-called professionals on my target list. I volunteered for the American Lung Association as their Event Planner for the Asthma Walk in 2009. This enabled me to work with new and existing business contacts ~ further expanding my network.

Fortunately, I reinvented myself and became a Event Sales Executive with a multimedia company that targets C-level executives. After a few years, I left to become a Business Development & Social Media Manager for a trade show marketing agency. In 2016, I was honored and honored to receive the Sales & Marketing Award from the National Sales & Marketing Executives Akron/Canton Chamber.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

I love meeting people and engaging with them ~ in person at business and award events and on social media platforms. Just LinkingIn with someone doesn’t stop there. Here are some best strategies that work for me:

* Be genuine, an active listener and don’t stalk!
* I love connecting people and offer to refer them and introduce them to my network
* Supporting them on social media and sharing their posts and resources with others
* Collaborating to see how I can help them
* Remembering people’s names

Contact Info:

• Website: https://annehydock.jhilburn.com
• Instagram: anne.hydock_jhilburn
• Facebook: Anne Hydock J.Hilburn
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/annehydock

Image Credits

Coral Jacket: Headshot by DeMayne Earvin of The Headshot Experience whom I highly recommend. 216) 282-4878 and https://deheadshots.com/