I recently went one on one with designer and entrepreneur Daniel Patrick. Founded by Daniel in 2012, Daniel Patrick is currently in more than 50 high-end boutiques around the world, has enjoyed collaborations with Adidas and James Harden, and boasts a celebrity following including Justin and Hailey Bieber, Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Kevin Durant and Dwyane Wade.
Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?
Daniel: Thank you for having me, Adam. Well, I grew up in Sydney, Australia with a love of sports. My father was a professional rugby player and I always dreamed of following in his footsteps. However, fashion always stood out to me. For most of my adolescence, I used my sports uniform as an outlet for fashion and my early appreciation of clothes. When I realized how much fashion was a part of my identity, I dropped my athletic career to pursue one in the fashion industry. I went to a local fashion school for a short time until 2011, when I came to Los Angeles. I bought a round trip ticket, but had every intention of staying and building my brand, Daniel Patrick, in the City of Angels.
Adam: How did you come up with your business idea and know it was worth pursuing? What advice do you have for others on how to come up with and test business ideas?
Daniel: When I was getting started with the brand, I noticed a shift in menswear. For years, a formal dress code reigned supreme, but it was clear to me that men were craving a more relaxed, yet still elevated wardrobe made of quality materials. I realized there was a blank space in the market I could capitalize on, so I drew from my athletic background and love for hip-hop and rap music, American culture and the cities that inspired me most – particularly Los Angeles and New York, to create the first Daniel Patrick designs. I wanted to make classic sports apparel with a twist, an updated look which married the world of luxury, athleisure and streetwear.
Adam: What are the key steps you have taken to grow your business? What advice do you have for others on how to take their businesses to the next level?
Daniel: First, I think it’s very important to have a powerful work ethic. Luckily for me, that was instilled in me from an early age while playing sports. Also, at the time I launched Daniel Patrick, it was quite serendipitous with Instagram taking off and the streetwear boom, both which really accelerated the business to new heights. I believe location also played a huge part in the success of the brand from the start. Originally, I planned to launch my label in New York, but a detour to Los Angeles changed everything.
Adam: What are your best tips on the topic of branding?
Daniel: When starting a brand, it’s common to have fluctuating ideas of where the growth and evolution of success will take you. This often causes designers to fluctuate their designs to cater an ever growing market, but one of the most important pillars of establishing your name is establishing your trademark, not just who you are as a designer but what differentiates your product from others and will make a lasting impression. Not only is this done through creativity, but visual consistency as well. The most basic of pieces (i.e a t-shirt or sweatshirt with a simple logo) can plant their seed.
Adam: What are your best sales and marketing tips?
Daniel: I am a firm believer in transparency, and as a consumer myself, I am most drawn to brands that I know are coming from meaningful roots. In my opinion, the most successful brands are fully transparent and honest with their customers and give an inside look at their creative process and give their audience a sense of relatability, inspiration and mentorship.
Adam: In your experience, what are the defining qualities of an effective leader? How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?
Daniel: Communication is key. Not only when it comes to motivating and giving direction, but also listening to others in return. I think it’s important to build relationships with employees and form a genuine trust between each other. These are qualities I have always tried to bring to the Daniel Patrick work environment and I feel that’s why we have been as successful as we are, as a company and team.
Adam: How can leaders foster innovation and creativity?
Daniel: In my opinion, fostering innovation and creativity really comes from building an environment that allows for creative expression and doesn’t shy away from risking experimentation and failure. I realized as I was building Daniel Patrick that every small failure brings new knowledge and innovation. All the twists and turns are a part of the process and really take you to the final product in the end. And if it doesn’t, then you’ll only be a better person and creative the next time around because of it.
Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives and civic leaders?
Daniel: Focus on your customer, while staying true to yourself and your vision. Have perseverance and don’t be afraid to take risks and fail. And lastly, be collaborative.
Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?
Daniel: Follow your dreams, even if it is not on the original path you envisioned for yourself, and that’s exactly what happened to me.
