Today we’d like to introduce you to Colton Kingery.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I got into menswear in 2018, and what started as a job quickly became something I genuinely fell in love with. I’ve always enjoyed working with people, and menswear gave me a unique opportunity to combine that with style, confidence, and helping people feel their best.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with everyone from executives and professionals to couples getting ready for their weddings, celebrities, and athletes. What I really came to appreciate was that it was never just about selling someone a suit. It was about getting to know the person, understanding what they needed, and helping create something that felt uniquely theirs.
The Grotto Menswear started in California in 2014, and eventually I became part of that journey. More recently, I helped bring The Grotto to Phoenix, where I manage the showroom and continue building the business and relationships within the community.
Today, my goal is to make custom menswear feel less intimidating and more personal. Whether I’m working with a groom, a business professional, or someone buying their first custom suit, I want them to feel like they’re working with a friend who genuinely cares about getting it right.
For me, that’s really been the journey—from learning the craft and working with people, to helping build a brand and community around what I believe menswear should be: personal, approachable, and memorable.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not. There have been plenty of bumps along the way, especially when you’re trying to build something that’s personal to you.
One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to balance the creative side of menswear with the business side. I love working with clients, designing suits, and creating experiences for people, but running a business also means dealing with the less glamorous parts—sales, marketing, finances, logistics, and figuring things out when there isn’t a clear answer.
Moving the business into a new market in Phoenix has also been a challenge. You’re essentially starting over in a new community and having to build trust and relationships from the ground up. That takes time.
But honestly, those challenges have probably been some of the most valuable parts of the journey. They’ve taught me to be adaptable, to keep showing up, and to not get too discouraged when something doesn’t go according to plan.
I’ve learned that building a business isn’t really about having a smooth road. It’s about learning how to navigate the road when it gets difficult—and continuing to move forward.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m in the custom menswear business, but I’ve always felt like what I really do is help people feel confident and comfortable in some of the most important moments of their lives.
I specialize in 100% custom suits, sport coats, dress shirts, and wedding attire. A huge part of my work is with grooms and wedding parties, but I also work with executives, professionals, athletes, and anyone who wants clothing that is truly made for them.
What I think I’m best known for is the experience. I don’t want someone to feel like they’re walking into a store and being sold a suit. I want it to feel like they’re hanging out with someone they trust who happens to know a lot about menswear. I spend a lot of time getting to know the client, understanding their personality and lifestyle, and then helping them create something that feels like them.
I’m probably most proud of the relationships I’ve built through this business. Some of my favorite moments have nothing to do with the actual suit—they’re seeing a groom put it on for the first time, being part of a wedding party’s experience, or having a client come back years later and say, “I need another one.”
What sets me apart is that I genuinely care about the person behind the suit. I’m not trying to put everyone in the same style or follow whatever trend is popular. I want to understand who you are and build something around that. I think that personal approach, combined with the custom craftsmanship, is what makes The Grotto different.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was definitely a people person. I was pretty social, curious, and always interested in what other people were doing. I’ve never really been the type to sit on the sidelines—I like being involved, meeting people, and figuring things out.
I’ve also always had a creative side. I’ve been interested in style, music, design, and just having my own sense of what I think looks or feels good. I think that’s probably where some of my interest in menswear naturally came from.
At the same time, I’ve always been pretty competitive and driven. If I get interested in something, I tend to go all in. I like learning how things work, getting better at them, and eventually figuring out how I can put my own spin on them.
Looking back, I can actually see a lot of the same personality traits I had growing up in what I do today. I like people, I like creativity, I like building things, and I’ve always wanted to do things a little differently rather than just follow the traditional path.
Pricing:
- 2PC Suit: $499+
- Dress Shirt: $150+
- Wedding Party Package (5+ Suits): $399
- Wedding Party Package (5+ Shirts): $100
- Accessories: $40-$80+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thegrottomenswear.com/
- Instagram: @thegrottomenswear, @groomsgrotto, @thegrottomenswearphoenix
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-grotto-menswear-phoenix-2
- Other: https://www.google.com/search?q=the+grotto+menswear
