Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Conlon.
Ryan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Blackguard started in August 2016 (coming up to our 3rd birthday now). We started by releasing headwear and t-shirts and sold out within the first week. It was amazing. We then stocked on reflective jackets and had huge UK celebrities wearing and sharing the brand. We came across an issue after this point. We got scammed by manufacture from London who took the money and then closed his business. This was our first big order and we paid in full. But you learn from your mistakes and it could have been a lot worse. Anyway, we had to start again basically and at this time it was a lot harder due to me having bills to pay and rent to pay. But we bounced back and slowly getting back up there again. Our social media is fairly powerful especially Instagram. As a lot of our customers follow us and we have 10.4K followed at the moment.
We sponsor a few music artists as Blackguard and music are very well in sync. Alex Campbell, Sarg, Skopez, and Tazzle are the names of the artist in the Uk and are all Birmingham based and became very good friends of the brand. We also sponsor an upcoming British boxer who goes by the name of Ben Rutter #TeamRutter. He’s just won and defended his English title and is due to another title fight the end of 2019.
Our overseas sponsor is Push the Socialist, as you guys may know, he’s definitely spread the word in Atlanta at the moment along with side Triad media. The whole team has shown nothing but support.
Some of the things to come include a TV advertisement for a huge channel in the UK called ITV. We also have award shows and new collections to come also.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No. Definitely not. The hardest thing we’ve found is the funding. Our manufactures are overseas as this works a lot more beneficial in terms of price per item. Which means we haven’t got to charge a large amount and be an expensive brand which goes against my personal morals. We don’t want to be an expensive brand. Just a great fashionable and AFFORDABLE brand.
Also, as previously mentioned about the manufacture in London taking out money and not giving us the stock.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Blackguard can do any type of clothing. We have designed tracksuits. Jackets. Hats. Jumpers. Sweaters. Tshirts. As if still class us as a small business, it’s a lot slower to release new ranges as a lot more thought has to go on them due to the funding issue. But I don’t see that as a negative. I see it as we have more time to enjoy the journey and take time in details.
I’d say we were most known when we started the reflective jacket phase. We sold out three times in these but we stopped making them due to a lot of other brands releasing reflective jackets.
As a business, I’m most proud of the fact despite the doubt and problems we are still here. As a brand, people have heard of. It always puts a smile on my face when I’m walking around or driving and I spot someone wearing my brand. Especially, if I do not personally know that person. It shows that the brand has a lot of respect and people associate it with a good brand they would wear out.
Loyalty sets us apart I believe. I always work on loyalty. If you share the brand and promote off your own back, that shows you have a good heart. So, that should be rewarded. Our promoters receive a commission from every sale they get, this is as a thank you for sharing the brand. You should always be rewarded for the work you do. And if you help the brand grow, whenever you need help, we are there for you too.
What were you like growing up?
Ermmmm. I was fairly quiet growing up. During school, every report I had was “distracts classroom” “can’t sit still” but that’s only because I’m more of a practical learner.
I enjoy the art side of things and the making. So, relating this to the brand. Every design I have ever made is first drew on paper before sending off to my graphic designers (A.Rhodes Graphics, and Kade. We are now in business together in Blackguards sister business of production work).
Personality-wise, I’m not sure, I guess I was just like any normal lad. I enjoyed football/soccer and going out with friends a lot, but I was always drawing.
The idea for my logo was due to the fact my best-graded artwork during school was of a rose and I got an A* (highest grade). So, when I was designing logos, I thought of this and found my old art book. Everything happens for a reason as they say, so I took this as a hint to where I was supposed to be. I’m quite superstitious in some aspects. 😂
Pricing:
- Blackguard Box Sweater- Black £29.99
- Blackguard Box Sweater- Navy £29.99
- Blackguard Signature 2.0 Hoodie- Black £44.99
- SALE Blackguard Red Stripe T-shirt- Black £9.99
- SALE Blackguard Red Stripe T-shirt- Grey £9.99 k
- SALE Blackguard Red Stripe T-shirt- White £9.99
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.blackguardclothing.co.uk
- Email: officialblackguard@hotmail.co.uk
- Instagram: Www.instagram.com/blackguardclothing
- Facebook: Www.facebook.com/blackguardclothing
- Twitter: Www.twitter.com/blackguardcloth
Image Credit:
Photographers: @milky.idt (now in partnership with Blackguard Productions due to his fantastic work ethic), @madvisuals, @Inkdotofficial, Graphic designers: @arhodesgraphics, @Kade.3 (both lead graphic designers in partnership with Blackguard Productions)
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