When faced with adversity, some people crumble.
Andres Izquieta is not one of those people.
Andres is a fashion designer, serial entrepreneur, and the CEO and co-founder of Five Four Club, an online men’s clothing subscription service.
In 2008, Five Four (then a retail and wholesale outfit) was on the brink of failure. The worldwide credit crisis that gave birth to the Great Recession was decimating the retail industry, and it looked like Five Four might not survive.
But Andres and his business partner had other ideas. They brought the company back into the black by pivoting to a men’s fashion subscription service.
The strategic shift paid off. Today Five Four Club has more than 70k active monthly subscribers, and is about to launch several new verticals before the end of the year, including a formalwear accessory line, an athletic wear label, and a shoe brand.
On top of that, Andres is the host of Weekend Fix on the Esquire network, and recently launched vegan eatery Fala Bar, which has two locations in Los Angeles, including one on the ultra hip Abbot Kinney Blvd.
In our interview, Andres traces this comeback story to the grit, determination, and drive to be the best that was instilled to him by his immigrant parents. The experience of being a first generation American both sparked his interest in fashion, and has given him an edge that, according to Andres, helps account for much of his success.
Andres’ fashion tips: what every professional male should have in his wardrobe.
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