We recently connected with Finnegan Shepard and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Finnegan, thanks for joining us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

We reinvented a fit system that actually works for AFAB, masc presenting people. Serving this community isn’t about merch or branding, it’s about product innovation.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My background is in ancient political philosophy. I have no background in fashion or business. I’m solving this because it’s a problem that needs to be solved and I got tired of waiting on someone else to do it.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I had to raise our pre-seed round as a first time trans founder in New Mexico, during lockdown and a supply chain crisis, for a market no one understood, in a segment that investors have soured on. The amount of resilience it takes to fundraise from 0 to 100 with all of that against you is impossible to put into words.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

Bella Ramsey was photographed by paparazzi walking down the street in LA wearing Both&. A fan account, who knew about Both&, posted about it, making the connection. My community manager at the time saw that post and was like, “we have to reach out to Bella!” I went to DM them and it turns out we have already been messaging without me knowing who they were. Almost a year later, we are about to launch a multi part campaign together.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bothandapparel.com
• Instagram: @bothandapparel
• Linkedin: @both&apparel
• Youtube: @bothandapparel

Image Credits
Mischa de Stroumillo