22 Clothes Business Success Stories [2024]
Starting a clothing manufacturing business can be a lucrative and great opportunity. In fact, clothing manufacturing is expected to grow due to increase demand for quality clothing items around the world.
It's important that you first determine your niche in the clothing manufacturing world, whether that be streetwear clothing, fitness and athletic, or leisure.
Here are some real life success stories of starting a clothes business:
1. Bryden Apparel ($888K/year)
Donovan, the founder of Bryden, had always been intrigued by e-commerce, starting his own t-shirt brand in 2009. After gaining experience in the fashion industry and learning the intricacies of sourcing and manufacturing, he decided to start Bryden in 2015, offering a one-stop service for fashion brands to create and manufacture their products with low minimum order quantities. With an average monthly revenue of $74,000 and customers in over 20 countries, Bryden is helping small to medium-sized fashion businesses compete with larger brands.
How much they make: $888K/year
Current team size: 3
Bryden is a clothing manufacturing agency that offers an end-to-end service to fashion brands all over the world, serving customers in over 20 countries and bringing in an average monthly revenue of $74,000 within just a few years of launching.
2. Manufacturefy ($3M/year)
Michael G. Lizanich II came up with the idea for Manufacturefy while in college, when he struggled to find a manufacturer for his own product. He saw a need for a platform that could connect products directly with manufacturers across industries and scales, and thus, Manufacturefy was born. Despite facing challenges in web development and marketing, the company has achieved significant growth and recognition in the industry, positioning itself as a disruptor in the trillion-dollar manufacturing industry.
How much they make: $3M/year
Current team size: 20
Manufacturefy is an AI-driven platform connecting products directly with worldwide manufacturers across all industries and scales, with free posting of products and $100 per month subscriptions for manufacturers.
So... can you actually make money with a clothes business?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
3. Hawthorn ($600K/year)
Rob Williams and Tom Lovelace founded Hawthorn in 2014 after realizing the need for low quantity, fully custom clothing manufacturing for start-up brands. They started by tailoring their own muscle fit tee-shirts and expanded to producing clothing for other brands after facing challenges finding manufacturers in the UK. Through their perseverance, they gained industry experience and contacts, leading them to start Hawthorn as a full-time business.
How much they make: $600K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5.5K
Current team size: 0
This case study follows the journey of Hawthorn, a UK-based custom clothing manufacturer that designs clothes for start-up brands, and offers the lowest minimum order quantity in the industry, producing bespoke orders for as little as 50pcs per design.
4. Yoke Apparel Manufacturing ($276K/year)
Jesse James, the founder of Yoke Apparel Manufacturing, came up with the idea after noticing a lack of action among people with strong opinions on social issues. He and his wife decided to make a tangible difference by moving to Vietnam and starting a clothing manufacturing business that directly hires at-risk locals in vulnerable situations. Despite initial challenges, they have achieved automation and stability after just 2 years of operation, and they are now focused on driving growth and revolutionizing the clothing industry.
How much they make: $276K/year
How much did it cost to start: $20K
Current team size: 30
Yoke Apparel Manufacturing is a comprehensive clothing manufacturing service specializing in low minimum order quantities, with an international customer base generating an average monthly revenue of $23,000 and managing to reach a 24% operating profit.
So... can you actually make money with a clothes business?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
5. KAHINDO ($60K/year)
Kahindo Mateene, Founder and Chief Creative Director of KAHINDO, came up with the idea for her luxury sustainable fashion brand after launching a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2014. She repurposed fabric scraps into clutches made by women in her hometown of Goma, Congo. Inspired by her Pan-African upbringing and desire to create positive change through fashion, she rebranded in 2017 and now incorporates original prints and African stories into her designs.
How much they make: $60K/year
How much did it cost to start: $20K
Current team size: 1
KAHINDO is a sustainable women's luxury fashion brand that celebrates African fashion and promotes ethical work practices, with annual sales of $60k and wholesale clients like Rent The Runway.
6. NG Apparels ($16M/year)
Arpit Aryan Gupta, the founder of NG Apparels, came up with the idea for his garment export business after his father lost a significant amount of money in the 2008 US market crash. Seeing the potential in Ludhiana's clothing manufacturing ecosystem, Gupta decided to establish a clothing manufacturing unit in 2012. With a turnover of 12cr ($1,581,547), NG Apparels has experienced exponential growth and serves clients in the US, UK, Australia, and other countries.
How much they make: $16M/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
Current team size: 42
NG Apparels is a garment export unit based in Ludhiana that caters to the clothing segments worldwide, boasting a turnover of $1,581,547 without loans or credit card limits.
So... can you actually make money with a clothes business?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
7. Everlane ($120M/year)
At just 25 years old, Michael Preysman had a vision to create a direct-to-consumer clothing brand that would not only stand out from the competition, but also have a minimal impact on the environment. His vision became a reality as Everlane's value skyrocketed from $0 to over $100 million in just six years. Learn more about their journey to success on pixelphant.com.
How much they make: $120M/year
Current team size: 333
This case study explores the impressive growth of an ethical fashion brand, Everlane, whose founder saw his company's value increase from $0 to over $100 million in just six years.
8. Nasty Gal ($55.9M/year)
How much they make: $55.9M/year
Current team size: 217
Nasty Gal, founded by Sophia Amoruso in 2006, experienced a revenue increase from $250k to $30m; Amoruso published the hashtagged book "#GIRLBOSS" and the TV program "Girlboss" was distributed to 100 million households.
9. Chubbies ($44.1M/year)
Skilled in the art of producing and marketing clothing, Tom Montgomery, Preston Rutherford, Hency, and Ranier Castillo started menswear brand Chubbies in 2011. Since its founding, the brand has experienced exponential growth, increasing its net sales from $2.4 million in 2012 to an impressive $44.1 million in 2020. Learn more about their success story on Medium.
How much they make: $44.1M/year
Current team size: 110
Men's clothing brand Chubbies has experienced impressive growth, increasing its net sales from $2.4 million to $44.1 million since 2012, thanks in part to the founders' skills in production and marketing.
10. Voonik ($34.2M/year)
Navaneetha Krishnan and Sujayath Ali founded Voonik to revolutionize the fashion shopping experience in India. With over 1 million downloads and a million transactions per month, their app caters to both men and women, offering customized clothing options based on physique, personality, lifestyle, and budget.
How much they make: $34.2M/year
Current team size: 210
Voonik- India's fastest-growing fashion shopping app, offers a personalized shopping experience for women with over 1M downloads, more than a million transactions completed each month and desktop website launched in March 2013.
11. Lunya ($25M/year)
Ashley Merrill, the founder and CEO of Lunya, came up with the idea for her upscale sleepwear company in 2012, focusing on using upscale materials and emphasizing body-flattering cuts for both men and women. Since its launch, Lunya has seen impressive growth, with a year-over-year increase of 500%. Listen to the full podcast on storybehindthebrand.libsyn.com to learn more about Lunya's success.
How much they make: $25M/year
How much did it cost to start: $50K
Current team size: 61
Lunya, an upscale sleepwear company founded by Ashley Merrill, has grown Year over Year by an incredible 500%, offering stylish and comfortable sleepwear and rest wear for both men and women.
12. PaigeLauren ($7.8M/year)
Former architectural designer Paige Lauren founded PaigeLauren in 2009 to fulfill her quest for simple and classic baby clothes for her friends. The luxury baby clothing company, known for its soft and organic fabrics, has become a prominent player in the market, generating a monthly revenue of approximately $650,000. With a modest 16K+ followers on Instagram, PaigeLauren continues to thrive in the cute and comfy baby clothing industry.
How much they make: $7.8M/year
Current team size: 41
Luxury baby clothing company PaigeLauren, making simple & organic fabrics with a luxurious look & feel for babies & toddlers, and boasting a monthly revenue of around $650,000 through their promotion on Instagram.
13. Sleeping Baby ($4.92M/year)
Stephanie and Brett Parker's journey from a $500 website and $200 for materials to building a multi-million dollar baby product line, Sleeping Baby, is a true example of entrepreneurial success. Their best-selling product, the Zipadee-Zip, has gained popularity among new parents, catching the attention of investors on ABC's Shark Tank. This inspiring story showcases their problem-solving skills and passion for parenting.
How much they make: $4.92M/year
How much did it cost to start: $700
Current team size:
Business Insider-style synopsis: Aspiring entrepreneurs can learn from Stephanie and Brett Parker, who turned $700 into a multi-million dollar baby product empire with Sleeping Baby, founded in 2013, thanks to problem-solving skills and their best-selling baby swaddle Zipadee-Zip.
14. FUSH Ltd ($3.41M/year)
Andrija Šajkaš, the founder and CEO of FUSH ltd, came up with the idea for his clothing manufacturing business after working in the wholesale textile industry and owning a clothing store. He saw a lack of quality products at affordable prices, leading him to establish FUSH as a platform connecting international clients with trusted local manufacturers in Serbia. Through guerilla marketing and a focus on communication and SEO, FUSH has grown into a successful business with a diverse product range and plans for expansion in the future.
How much they make: $3.41M/year
How much did it cost to start: $3.8K
Current team size: 170
FUSH, a clothing manufacturer from Serbia, shares how they grew from a one-man show to a two-factory business with 170 employees, expanding from producing only promotional t-shirts to various streetwear products and garnering international clients through effective communication and marketing efforts.
15. iGirl World ($1.26M/year)
Bella McFadden, known as Internet Girl, built an alt-fashion community on social media and Depop, using her unique aesthetic inspired by Y2K emo culture. With a strong social media presence and millions in sales, Bella is now launching her own website, iGirlworld.com, to sell her original designs and take her brand to the next level.
How much they make: $1.26M/year
Current team size:
Teenager turned millionaire entrepreneur creates viral alt-fashion brand from scratch, with 380K followers on Instagram and more than 1 million dollars earned from Depop app, now launching her own website to sell original designs under her brand name, iGirl.
16. Tommy John ($22.6M/year)
Erin Fujimoto and Tom Patterson founded Tommy John in 2008, introducing the world's first patented undershirt with a stay-tucked guarantee. Recognizing the opportunity to improve the quality and customer experience in the underwear market, they later expanded their product line to include underwear, socks, casual wear, and activewear. By 2014, Tommy John's revenue had grown fivefold, and the brand has gained recognition in major publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Esquire, GQ, and Golf Digest. Today, their products can be found in over 1000 retail locations across the USA, and they have recently sold their 5 millionth pair of underwear.
How much they make: $22.6M/year
Current team size: 162
Tommy John, the vertically integrated consumer brand in the underwear market, has grown to selling over 5 million pairs of underwear across 1000 retail locations with a focus on direct-to-consumer relationships since 2012 that has seen the company's revenue grow five times since 2014.
17. MeUndies ($75M/year)
Jonathan Shokrian launched MeUndies in 2011 after a frustrating underwear shopping experience. He raised an impressive $400,000 from family and friends to create a millennial-friendly online store for underwear, and the brand gained significant media attention in 2014 when Facebook blocked some of its ads featuring scantily-clad models. Since then, MeUndies has become popular among younger generations, boasting over 500,000 Facebook fans and 340,000 Instagram followers, thanks in part to celebrity endorsements from stars like Kylie Jenner and the Hadid sisters.
How much they make: $75M/year
Current team size: 126
MeUndies used social media shock value to become a millennial-friendly online store for underwear with more than 500k+ Facebook fans and 340+ Instagram followers, thanks to endorsements from stars like Kylie Jenner and the Hadid sisters.
18. The Foodnited States ($60K/year)
Chris's eight year old suggested him the idea of "food named states". A photo series based on this idea went viral on Instagram, and a couple years later, Chris started developing a Shopify store for t-shirts based on the same concept.
How much they make: $60K/year
Current team size: 0
The Foodnited States, an online shop selling illustrated state-themed merchandise, started generating an extra $3-5k monthly with only 11 states available, having relied heavily on organic social media and an email list to attract customers, with user-generated content and collaborations with photographers and brands being its most effective marketing tools.
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- 4,818 founder case studies
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- 8,628 business ideas
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
