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

Carl, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think it takes to be successful?

To be successful, it takes resilience and an unwavering belief in yourself. I came to the US in 2016 as an immigrant, with $0 in my bank account. I knew I had a chance to make something out of myself. It wasn’t easy. I had setbacks, tried different things, I had people who told me “no, that is impossible” and “you’re wasting your time, go for a 9-5.” And yes, at times, it felt like many of my friends who told me to stop chasing my dreams were right. I failed at a couple of things. But I learned one thing: failure isn’t a full stop; it’s just a lesson in disguise.

Take my initial job in the tech industry, for example. I really wanted to have a job in marketing. I had no education in that field. Now, there was a company I really wanted to work for, and I unexpectedly got an interview with this big tech company. After my interview, I received a notification that I didn’t get the job. But that didn’t stop me. I set out on a mission to prove to them that I wanted to work for them. So what did I do? I audited their site for performance and SEO-related issues. I started helping their customers by answering questions in their Discord forum. After doing this for about 2 weeks, I got the attention of the COO, who noticed my resilience and desire to work for them. What happened? I received the job! The point? Resilience and not letting a first-time failure stop you.

Now, I could have stayed in the tech world, where I had a stable foothold, but I wanted to build something new, something that spoke to my true passion – style, fashion, and craftsmanship. The learning curve was steep, even though I had a passion for men’s fashion, and had been well-dressed my entire life. I had to source fabric suppliers, negotiate with different wholesale suppliers/tailor houses of suits, and handle everything myself.

Today, I find myself busy everyday taking on new clients who wants who wants to look dapper!

Carl, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Carl Axen, and my journey into the world of fashion and craftsmanship began in the harsh winters of northern Sweden. From an early age, I was drawn to the importance of durable, practical, yet fashionable clothing. That said, it wasn’t until my travels through Europe, especially southern Italy, that I discovered the artistry behind fine tailoring and timeless style. The Italians with their elegant yet relaxed style (e.g., Neapolitan soft-shouldered jackets) and the crisp, structured cuts of British tailoring – these experiences opened my eyes to a level of sophistication I wanted to bring to life in my own work.

In 2016, after immigrating to the US, I quickly realized there was a gap in the market. Big-box stores were flooding the market with mass-produced clothing that just didn’t fit or last. The suits were stiff, oversized, and were made in colors that had no place in a man’s wardrobe. I knew I could do better. I saw an opportunity to blend the traditions of European tailoring with a modern, made-to-measure approach that would provide men with clothing they could wear with pride – pieces that were specifically tailored for their body and personality.

That’s when I founded Carl Axen Clothier.

At Carl Axen Clothier, we’re all about custom-made, made-to-measure garments that embrace the best of European craftsmanship. Our suits are designed to fit your body perfectly, reflect your style, and endure over time. These aren’t fast-fashion items that fall apart after a season; these are pieces that become staples in your wardrobe. When you wear one of our suits, you’re not just wearing a suit – you’re wearing something built specifically for you.

What sets us apart? It’s simple: quality, attention to detail, and the fact that every garment is uniquely yours. We don’t believe in “one-size-fits-all.” We believe in creating clothing that works with you, that suits your personality, and that celebrates the tradition of fine tailoring.

What I’m most proud of is seeing the confidence my clients gain when they wear a suit that fits them perfectly, that looks timeless, and that feels like it was made just for them. That’s the difference.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

When I first arrived in the United States, I had zero dollars in the bank and nothing but a dream and a passion for creating something meaningful or make something out of myself. Starting a business in that situation would be a challenge for anyone, and initially I didn’t really know “what” my success or “business” was going to be. However, I knew that I eventually would need money when the “lightbulb” moment would happen. So, how did I come up with the money? The plan was rooted in the principles of financial responsibility that I’d learned from Dave Ramsey.

I was a huge fan of his advice on handling money, especially his “No Debt” philosophy. For me, the idea of going into debt to start my business was never an option. I had seen firsthand how quickly debt can weigh you down, especially when you’re trying to build something from the ground up. So, I stuck to Dave’s principles: live below your means, save aggressively, and avoid credit.

Anything that would allow me to save and invest in my future business went into my bank account and stayed there. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was effective. Each paycheck went into a savings account, and every dollar counted. Over time, I was able to build the initial capital I needed, bit by bit, without taking on any debt.

It was all about discipline. And eventually, I had a vision for Carl Axen Clothier, and I knew I couldn’t afford to rush the process. Slowly but surely, I had enough to make my dream a reality. I’m proud to say that every penny I invested into the business came from my own hard work, no loans, no credit – just pure determination and a commitment to staying debt-free.

That foundation of financial discipline has stuck with me throughout the growth of Carl Axen Clothier. The “No Debt” mindset didn’t just help me launch my business; it also helped me build a sustainable, long-term model where I don’t have to worry about financial instability.

So, when it comes to funding a business, my advice is simple: if you follow the principles of smart money management, work hard, and stay focused, you can build something meaningful without relying on debt. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Yes! There’s a book called “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. This book has helped me in any aspect of my life, both professionally and as a business owner. Another book is the Bible. The Bible is my guiding light, and to be honest, all the principles found in the Bible can be found in almost any educational literature. Talking about all the gems inside the Bible or a book like “How to Win Friends and Influence People” would take hours. However, all I can say is this: “Always treat anyone you meet like they are your family, and treat everyone how you’d wanna be treated.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://carlaxenclothier.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlaxenclothier/