I Just Want to Make Enough to Keep Going

I recently listened to a podcast interview with Johan Lam, a co-owner of 3sixteen, one of my favorite clothing brands. 3sixteen is a cult-favorite denim brand based in New York City.

In the early 2000s, many popular and trendy brands became successful. However, these brands often took venture capital (VC) funding, which forced them to rapidly expand. This expansion led them to sell their products in malls, causing the scarcity and exclusivity that was important for their fashion brands to disappear. As a result, these brands lost their reputation and appeal.

3Sixteen is a case study in staying power. Founded around 20 years ago, the brand has stayed true to its values and built a loyal following over time being known for making high quality denim among other products.

Our culture is obsessed with rapid growth, but staying true to your values, building with integrity, and trusting the process is often the key to building something sustainable in the long run.