BUSINESS PROFILES // ALEX MCCABE
1. Tell us about your business – when did you start it and what is it all about?
I started Kip&Co in 2012 with two of my very good friends. We were all at a point in our lives and careers where we we looking for something creative and challenging, and the idea of working with your best mates seemed like nirvana. So we toyed with a bunch of different business ideas for a little while, most of which were terrible, until we landed on the idea of fashion-forward bedding. At that time in Australia there really were not a lot of options for people who wanted bedding that was bright, bold and beautiful. So we set about filling that gap. Customers responded quickly, and overwhelmingly positively, which inspired us to keep growing our range expanding our footprint. Now we sell Kip&Co all around the world and have products for every corner of the home.
2. What inspires you to do what you do everyday?
I think if you are creative, then there is an instinctive desire to make something beautiful. So that joy of creativity definitely propels you forward every day. There is also an unbelievable momentum now with the business, the train left the station very quickly and so a lot of the time I am just hanging on for the ride…luckily its been such a fun one so far!
3. What is next for your business?
We launched in the US in 2017 which is a big focus for us at the moment. We are always in the design cycle, currently working on AW19 (!!) and collaborations for the back end of this year. Our team has grown recently too, so we always need to make sure we are putting place the right processes and training and have the right people around so that we can continue to expand at a sustainable rate.
4. What other inner north businesses inspire you?
I used to live in Fitzroy for about eight years and our business is based in Abbotsford so my ‘north side’ experience is in close proximity to those life points! I love The Standard Store on Gertrude Street, its my favourite apparel shop in Melbourne, Backwoods Gallery and Juddy Roller in Collingwood has a fantastic series of exhibitions (and who doesn’t love an exhibition opening!), and you can’t beat a little snack at Marion.
5. What’s your top health hack as a business owner for readers?
I am constantly trying to find my inner domestic goddess, but at the moment don’t have any nutritious recipes to share! I am enjoying pilates at the moment, and as an extrovert, I actually find catching up with friends for a meal very energising.
Published Jan 31, 2018
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