How I Built This with Guy Raz How I Built Resilience: Bayard Winthrop of American Giant
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Apr 22, 2021 Bayard Winthrop, CEO and founder of American Giant, shares his insights on building an American-made apparel brand. He discusses the shift toward domestic production amid the pandemic and the surge in demand for comfortable work-from-home clothing. Winthrop emphasizes the importance of resilience and adapting business practices in turbulent times. He shares challenges in securing manufacturing partnerships and the vital role of values in brand growth, highlighting how fostering a supportive team environment has transformed his management approach.
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American Giant's Origins
- Bayard Winthrop started American Giant with the idea of making high-quality clothing in the US.
- The company began with a single sweatshirt design and has since expanded its product line.
Benefits of Local Production
- American-made clothing has a smaller carbon footprint than clothing produced overseas.
- Local production fosters closer relationships with manufacturers and better stewardship of products.
Encouraging Domestic Manufacturing
- Policy changes are needed to level the playing field between domestic and international manufacturers.
- Retailers and brands also have a responsibility to support domestic production.