Virginia Southern
Threads is excited to present Virginia Southern, a bowtie and men’s lifestyle company cofounded by one of James Madison University’s very own, Chris DiAntonio. We managed to snag an exclusive interview with Chris to discuss everything from first date advice to the future of Virginia Southern.
Threads: Tell me about the founding of Virginia Southern?
Chris DiAntonio: Well, I guess to start, I come from an entrepreneurial family. My dad was a self-starter; he left a really good job to start his own company and be his own boss. From an early age, I knew I always wanted to work for myself but it wasn't until last year when I thought of an idea that was feasible and that I was also passionate about. It was two weeks before my 21st birthday and I was looking online for clothing that I wanted my family to get for me. Having a preppy style, I was looking at Brooks Brothers, Ralph Lauren, Southern Tide, etc. While I was looking online, I just was getting really tired of seeing these awesome clothes with ridiculous price tags. I remember wishing that there were a preppy clothing company that had quality products that was also affordable for college students. Then I was like, hey! I could do that! I started researching...and I didn't stop. By the next morning, I had created the company name Virginia Southern, purchased a domain name and located the manufacturers I wanted to talk to. Two months in, I knew I needed a partner who could help me further start and grow the business so I logically turned to my best friend Kyle Boswell, a Senior Business major at Virginia Tech. It was always our dream to work together and now we finally had the chance to do it. Since Kyle came on board, he has been instrumental in building the company and we learn from each other everyday.
T: What did your friends think about Virginia Southern at first?
CD: Besides my one roommate, no one knew I had started working on my company. Not Kyle, my family, anyone. It wasn't until I withdrew about $1,000 out of my savings
account that my Mom and Dad were like, “why are you taking out all this money?” I think they were kind of worried.
T: What makes a regular guy a “gentleman”?
CD: I'd say it's a person that carries himself well both through fashion but also through their personal and ethical behavior. A real gentleman would go out of his way for other people and always be respectful.
T: What do you wear on a first date?
CD: Normally I would say I would wear khakis or a nice pair of jeans, a collared button-down shirt, a watch, and my pair of Clarks. Don't forget cologne, cologne is always underestimated! But recently, the first date I went on with my current girlfriend, I was wearing a blue blazer with the sleeves cut off, no shirt, and a sailor’s hat so not the typical outfit but I guess it worked!
T: Where do you hope the company will be in 5 years, 10 years?
CD: Kyle and I have the same aspirations for Virginia Southern. In five years, we hope to not have to work side jobs and be fully focused on Virginia Southern. We want Virginia Southern to be a known brand in the Mid Atlantic and have a really loyal customer base. We are not trying to just sell a product; we want to be selling a lifestyle. In ten years, we hope to be a nationally recognized brand that is leading the way for new fashion trends.
T: Where are your products made?
CD: The one that makes our bowties, we were really lucky to come into contact with. A manufacturer in China that also makes products for Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and Jos A Bank makes our bow ties. They make really good quality products and we have a very good friendship.
T: What have been some of the peaks since creating the company?
CD: Some peals have been entering our first retail location, being on TV, and making our first newspaper appearance. Over Spring Break, Kyle and I were on a cruise and we were recognized which was crazy. Also, making back our initial investment in a half a year has been awesome. Currently, we are talking to a former NFL star who wants to get behind our products and that would do wonders for the company!
T: What have been some of the valleys?
CD: I honestly have been thinking about this for a while but I can’t put my finger on anything. At the end of the day, the hardship we have had to go through has just been a great learning experience for us.
T: What advice do you have to other entrepreneurs?
CD: Where to start? First, don't underestimate how important networking is, not just professionally but socially. Because of who Kyle and I know, we have been able to get graphic designers, fashion models, photographers, product surveys, legal advice, etc all for free. Additionally, college is the perfect time to start a company. You have so much more time that you would if you were in the workforce. You also have unlimited resources. Also, just because you are not a business student does not mean you can’t be in business. I’m not an academic type; I tried twice to get into the College of Business but never succeeded but now, I’m learning more than any business class could have ever taught me. Finally, don't take insults personally. Most people just want to hate on what you’re doing because they are not doing it themselves.
