I met my business partner, Manuel, when we worked at the same factory. He is a technology guy, he is into pattern making, and cutting machines \u2013 quite the opposite of me. I started speaking to him and from our previous experiences, we found that there was a gap in communication between designers, brands and the manufacturers.<\/p>\n
We wondered why, because it seemed clear to us that they needed each other. So, we thought about what we could do, and we quit and started BeTangible.<\/p>\n
You focus a lot on customer relations. Why is that so important to you?<\/h3>\n
We like customers to be updated on what\u2019s happening in the factory with their product and with their leather, not just with their money. We try to encourage designers, manufacturers and brands to be as close as possible.<\/p>\n
There was a gap in keeping customers updated on what\u2019s going on \u2013 that\u2019s why we photograph the whole production process and make short videos.<\/p>\n
![\"Utelier](\"https:\/\/fashioninsiders.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/article_big_Pepe.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
How are the roles defined by you and Manuel?<\/h3>\n
I am not a leather worker;\u00a0I know how a wallet is made, how a bag is made, and the skills behind making them. But my hands don\u2019t have the skills to make them. It is our opinion that specialisation in a 21st-century business is very important; if the same person does a lot of things, they don\u2019t do anything well. So, we prefer to specialise in different areas.<\/p>\n
When there\u2019s a technical question, Manuel that deals with that, and he does the pattern making and the technical part. If there\u2019s feedback to communicate \u2013 or anything else \u2013 that\u2019s me. I keep track of how everything is going and speak with the customers.<\/p>\n
When a designer contacts us, I\u2019m the first point of contact. I find out their needs, and let them know what I need from them, such as specification sheets. I also deal with the expectations –\u00a0 and I think that is a keyword: expectations. This means what they want and what we also expect. The more transparent we both are, the better for the project.<\/p>\n
Tell us about your team.<\/h3>\n
The team working in the factory workshop are in charge. We call them the masters, as they are leading the workshop. They are in charge of the tangible part of the whole business.<\/p>\n
We have Jesus, the leader of the workshop and our longest serving member of staff. There are four more team members: a machinist, and three more leather workers. There\u2019s music playing all the time, and that\u2019s something you will not see in the rest of the factories around, especially the big ones. It\u2019s not flamenco or party music \u2013 it cannot be \u2013 it\u2019s jazz, R&B and relaxed music. We have a happy work environment.<\/p>\n
What can a designer expect from you after the initial stage?<\/h3>\n
After the initial stage, I get the spec sheet, handmade drawings, measurements and details, and then Manuel comes in. He starts constructing, making and developing the patterns necessary to make the product.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s also a constant conversation with the master sample maker leading the workshop, they tell us what they think will and will not work. Once the patterns are made there is another meeting with the customer, where we might suggest a change for cost-saving purposes, or for a nicer finishing for example. Of course, we don\u2019t want to change the designer\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n
Then, a first prototype mock-up is made of felt material for two purposes. Firstly for us to see if what we have developed is according to the customer’s needs, and secondly, to minimise the use of expensive materials like leather. When the mock-up is approved, we send it to the customer \u2013 or the customer can come to the factory.<\/p>\n
Why did you choose to specialise in sampling?<\/h3>\n
It\u2019s something that nobody wants to make, it is as simple as that. It\u2019s okay for big fashion brands, as factories will make samples for them. But people don\u2019t like making samples on a one-off basis, so if you\u2019re a small designer who’s not sure about things yet, it will be hard for you. It is important to give small fashion designers an opportunity.<\/p>\n
Our approach to the business is that we want to grow as the designer grows. Our expectation is not that they only use us to develop the samples, and then when they are more reputable and well known, they go to another factory. We want them to remember us when they grow and are producing larger quantities.<\/p>\n
Making samples is not big business \u2013 I know that \u2013 but if you combine production and sampling, it is worth it.<\/p>\n
Was it difficult to set up your own factory?<\/h3>\n
Beginnings are always tough\u00a0\u2013 for example, you have to continually put money into the business. That\u2019s where we were a couple of years ago, and it\u2019s no different from any other entrepreneurial business. We started in a small office and were subcontracting manufacturing as well. Then we settled into our current space and had customers visit us and develop collections with us, and we started growing and growing.<\/p>\n
What did your friends and family think?<\/h3>\n
I\u2019m married with two daughters aged six and three years old and it\u2019s very hard, starting at 7am and coming home at 8pm or 9pm. Especially in June, July, October and November when it\u2019s super busy. But I\u2019m supported by them, and the support of your family is very important.<\/p>\n
Is it challenging to not be a fashion designer or leatherworker, as a fashion business co-owner?<\/h3>\n
When people said in the beginning: \u201cBut you don\u2019t have experience of making leather goods.\u201d<\/p>\n
I said, \u201cYou don\u2019t need to be able to make leather goods in order to have a business.\u201d<\/p>\n
I can provide my experience and my perspective to the business, and it is clear that that is lacking in the fashion industry, especially when you deal with entrepreneurs, start-up companies and emerging talent. They have creative minds but they struggle to be realistic with their expectations.<\/p>\n
![\"Utelier](\"https:\/\/fashioninsiders.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/article_big_betangible-raw-material-sourcing-for-leather-goods-373x310.jpg\" "\\"leather-goods-manufacturer\\"")