Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Troyk.
Hi Erin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I’ve always loved fashion and freedom, so I started making an effort to learn the skills needed for this industry when they were offered to me years ago. Even though I never thought I’d end up in this field and did not pursue it in college, I realized three things. First, I loved socializing and looking at sharp-dressed men and women. I admired the confidence boost it gives you. Secondly, this type of business would allow me to create my schedule and give me the flexibility to travel and do business out of state.
Lastly, this would challenge me to eventually become my boss which I always loved the idea of. Being able to prove to myself that I could succeed meant a lot to me. I was always worried about not being able to measure correctly or find enough clients, but with lots of practice and mistakes and a very loyal clientele who always refer me, I am more confident than ever.
While working in the financial industry, a man from Wisconsin came into the office to measure some of the advisors for suits. Well, low and behold this guy brought cheese curds! Being from Wisconsin originally and having a strong love for cheese, I struck up a conversation and in time he encouraged me to work part-time for him and be his Arizona rep. Since I already knew all the men in the office I thought it was a great idea! Now, 7 years later, I am my business owner.
With that said, it took me a long time to become confident and familiar with this type of creativity, but studying and working for other people helped me get there. As someone who did not go to college for fashion, my first thought/fear was who would be comfortable working with me. But eventually, I gained the trust of my clientele and am constantly focusing on areas I need to improve. I am always learning.
The more I learn, the more mistakes I make, but the better I get overall. So I trust in the process. I love my job and the confidence boost I give people. I launched Troyk’s Trunk in 2019. I design garments that are custom to your body measurements and appropriate for your lifestyle. I specialize in business, formal, and casual wear. To date, I have produced thousands of garments for clients ranging from weddings to western wear.
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?
When I started this company, I had contacts in the industry, some connections, and a good support system to help me get started. I had just left another local clothing company so the major challenge was not knowing whether the clients I had brought there would continue with me as well as the new ones I made while working there.
It was scary not knowing, but I knew I had to try whether or not they did follow. While working for these other companies I had a second job to help keep me afloat but knew if I wanted to succeed on my own, I’d have to jump in with both feet and focus solely on this.
During this transition, I did whatever it took to get more clients. I cold-called, sat at coffee shops, attended events, posted on social media, and posted ads. Slowly but surely, the phone started to ring. It wasn’t always steady work, but I got enough to get by, and as time passed, I developed a bigger client list, and eventually, the majority of my work was coming from referrals.
I’ve had my fair share of challenges in more recent years too, but there’s no question that those very early years were the toughest to get through. Some months were very slow and I had no idea if this is what the months ahead would. look like. But even in those slower months, I stuck it out and am glad I did.
As you know, we’re big fans of Troyk’s Trunk. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am a designer specializing in business, formal, and casual wear. I travel to you, take a bunch of measurements, and then show you fabrics while learning about your style. I am most proud of the connections and trust I’ve made with all of my clients. I believe forming a relationship on trust is key to my business and will leave people feeling confident in coming back.
We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking.
Taking risks can be scary but can also open doors to opportunities you would otherwise miss. I took the risk of leaving my stable second job to start my own business. Launching this I wasn’t sure if I was going to succeed. There was no guaranteed monthly income and no guarantee that I would succeed. However, it was all worth the risk.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.troykstrunk.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/troykstrunk/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/troykstrunk
