We were lucky to catch up with Jan Wolbrecht recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Finding those key vendors can often be make or break for a brand. Can you talk to us about how you found your key vendors?
As if Launching into a new career field isn’t scary or hard enough, imagine you want to make clothes. Oh, not just for yourself but for any (and many) women who carry self defense tools, mainly a firearm. I’m not a sewer so I didn’t even have that to draw upon. I had an idea and a sketch and that was it. How would it all come together was where I need to find the right the right manufacturer who could help me. In an age where the internet is your library or yellow pages, it didn’t seems to help. That was shocking! Most manufacturers, for apparel, it’s called cut and sew, aren’t necessarily listed, at least 5-6 years ago when I was searching for an American “small batch” manufacturers. I feel the recent pandemic forced manufacturers into a digital presence so they could be found much more easily now. Early in my research stages, I was fortunate to come across an insider listing for cut and sew factories. A wonderful platform called Maker’s Row. It was here that I was able to interview and ask questions with the factories to find a good fit for my products.
Jan, 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?
Incognito Wear IX is the result of a perfect storm. II was helpless in preventing a tragedy. My daughter became a victim while away at college. My elderly neighbor was mugged in a WalMart parking lot mid day. Crime was on the rise all around me; in areas that didn’t usually make any news. My full time day job moved office locations to a more remote wooded area where coyotes were known to be. Arriving to work early mornings and leaving at dusk could be just right for finding coyotes. Thats when my husband suggested I get a firearm for protection. I understood when something bad happens, chances are there’s no one around to help. Its the criminal and you, the victim… Unless, you’re concealing. You have with you, on your body, the tools -mostly a firearm, but pepper spray, stun gun or a knife can be used to deter and defend yourself. It’s a sick feeling when you become aware of a loved one who’s been attacked, robbed, raped, mugged, etc. and list goes on. My frustration mounted once I felt comfortable in handling a firearm and took some lessons. Not over the gun, but HOW to have it with me all the time. I image most, and to my knowledge, most women start by carrying their self defense tool or firearm in a purse. As I did. It didn’t take long to realize there had to be another option. The purse became a burden. Not only was it uncomfortable to carry around several extra pounds on your shoulder or around the neck, but then you also have to keep up with it like no body’s business. This is when the lightbulb went off. Concealed carry on body…. but “how” hit me at every turn. I realized I didn’t have any clothes that worked for hiding my firearm. I searched and couldn’t find any… Frustrated and exhausted, I soon realized I would have to created them. I knew I couldn’t be alone in my dressing dilemmas and carrying a firearm. That’s when the storm showed the rainbow and how I can help others become comfortable with carrying a firearm on body and still look like a lady.
How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.
I am eCommerce business and sell at in person events such as industry trade shows. I primarily sell my products on my own website, IncognitoWearix.com. Having my own website does require constant updates and maintaining it, but I have full control over it. The design, the layout, the plugins, and all the data. It’s mine. I know the rules, the costs.
On the downside, it takes time.
However, selling on someone else’s website, also takes alot of time to learn and understand the back end for posting your products, etc. Now, you become in competition with all the other sellers for front page placement. It’s another can of worms, as they say-Learning how to get ranked, get reviews, learning their format, etc. While I do have some products listed on Amazon, there’s a cost to selling on someone else’s platform vs your own. And, while it may be easy and convenience go to a single website and purchase any product under the sun, in the long run how does this help your community? The pandemic hurt small business and that hurts your community. It’s your local small business that invest in your community, your kids, their schools, sports, etc. either by donations, sponsorships, or part time jobs.
I believe when people actual think about the bigger picture, they’ll choose to shop at a small business. They know that this really is a win-win. Small business with their own website can also ship quickly. After all, it’s just a few key strokes to get to any website – why not invest your money in your community?
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Being new to shooting, new to the firearms industry, new to concealed carry practices, new to manufacturing clothing and my own design, I hit a lot of walls. The manufacturing industry is a quiet network. What I mean, is it’s an insider’s biz. I found it difficult to find people that offered tips, connections, or information. It’s a school of hard knocks and it’s expensive! I had to learn many disciplines in order to bring a product to market. It’s sorta like Noah building the ark.. Noah had a vision, direction or instructions and a promise from God but no one else could understand what he was doing, why he was doing it or what it would be when completed. He seemed crazy. Because there wasn’t anything already on the market, no one could see my vision. I have this great idea for a product. but the rest of it was something I was going to” learn on the job”. Manufacturing and starting a business is expensive and risky. However, if you pray and ask for a sign of confirmation about starting a business, when you get your answer you must not quit. I trust my God to honor my obedience in creating solutions to empower women to be their own hero. To empower them for self defense because they (and all of us) are worthy and should never be a victim. When the doors shut and things seem impossible, I reflect on my answered prayer and continue putting one foot forward, even if its in a different direction.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://incognitowearix.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/incognitowearix/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Incognitowearix
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/incognitowearix/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/incognitowear
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-dXf-I6ng-31v1RmPLvdow
- Other: I’m also beginning to build a presence on Gab, Truth social and MeWe under my company Name – Incognito Wear Ix
Image Credits
All images and graphics owned by Incognito Wear IX