Today we’d like to introduce you to Neil Balani.
Hi Neil, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Enabling people to look their best, and through doing so, elevate their confidence is part of my heritage. My father owned a textile and men’s clothing business on my home island of Malta, and my uncle, Cliff Vaswani, founded HKT Custom Clothiers in Atlanta in 1970. They instilled in me that hard work, exemplary customer service, and creating an exquisite product will not only enhance the lives of the people you serve but also reward you with great personal satisfaction.
Today at HKT, these three principles are at the heart of everything we do. We have a team of master tailors and expert style consultants who are dedicated to creating the perfect look and fit for every individual who walks into our store. Whether they already have a sense for their own personal style or need direction on how to dress in order to take pride in their appearance. We hold ourselves to a high standard and push ourselves to provide the best possible bespoke tailoring and style consultation service for our wide range of customers.
I think this is why clients continually come back to us and recommend HKT to their family members and friends. We recognize that it’s crucial to take the time to sit down with clients to discuss their needs; what style and fabrics will work best for them. Our vision is to get to know each individual, so we can create personalized garments that reflect who they are and make them feel fantastic every time they wear them.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Before the pandemic, our main challenge was modernizing the brand. Previously, the company was known as Hong Kong Tailors and had a very traditional feel to it. To attract new markets and a younger demographic, we needed to move forward but without alienating our existing customers and diluting our heritage. This led to the new name and rebranding, to HKT Custom Clothiers. We launched a new website, branding, and overhauled the showroom. Everything works harmoniously to deliver a truly upmarket and enjoyable experience for our clients.
HKT, like so many businesses in Atlanta, has been hit hard by the pandemic. But we’ve survived. That’s down to us being proactive and reaching out to clients through a range of marketing and personal correspondence. Hopefully, we can start to get back to some sense of normality. What’s been encouraging since restrictions have started to ease is that we’ve had more and more people get in touch to discuss their current and future tailoring needs.
We’ve been impressed with HKT Custom Clothiers, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We’re a team of master tailors and experienced style consultants who share a passion for creating perfectly fitting clothes that really impress our customers and reflect their individual personalities. A few years ago, our creations predominantly were bespoke business suits, custom-made shirts, and sports jackets. Lately, we’ve grown into creating luxurious wedding suits for all seasons and celebrations, including a number of same-sex weddings. We’ve also been honing in on demand for stylish casual wear from custom polos, knitwear, and custom jeans.
What sets us apart from our competitors has to be our exceptional customer service and our amazing team of experienced tailors. Unlike similar concepts, we have master tailors and consultants in-house and in person, answering your questions and getting to know you as an individual. Sharing their knowledge and establishing that connection with our clients is critical when creating a garment that makes you look and feel your absolute best.
Complementing this passion and personalized service is our team’s decades of experience in the custom clothing industry. Expert knowledge means we know instinctively which style, fabric, and details will work best for a client’s physique, coloring, and personality. That’s something which only comes with time and a real love for your profession.
What are your plans for the future?
Prior to the pandemic, we’d been growing as a business year-on-year in terms of our customers and our brand. This continued growth is something we want to foster as we stride out of the pandemic and start to return to the lifestyles we enjoyed before the lockdowns.
To support our goals and growing demand, HKT is potentially opening a second showroom in Atlanta. Another style destination that offers the same luxurious experience that HKT is famous for. We also want to keep building our presence online where our customers which involves creating more inspirational and valuable content for our customers through our website and social media. Ideally, we want to make it possible for people to purchase our clothing and luxury accessories via the website. We’re also going to keep offering our virtual consultations to engage with customers on a new level.
Contact Info:
- Email: service@hktclothiers.com
- Website: www.hktclothiers.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hktclothiers
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HKTClothiers
