In a world where new tech startups appear on the landscape seemingly every hour, it’s important  to pick the brains of successful entrepreneurs and see just how they’ve realized their small business success stories and stood out from the pack.

Brian Spaly – CEO of Trunk Club

Frustrated at trying to find proper fitting pants, Brian Spaly decided to simply create his own.  From there, a luxury men’s clothing company, the Bonobos brand, was born.  It’s a classic entrepreneurial tale really. Not finding what you want in the current marketplace? Then create it yourself.

Recently we had the opportunity to catch up with Spaly, now serving as CEO of another brand he’s founded after leaving Bonobos, Chicago-based men’s apparel company Trunk Club. Founded in 2009, Trunk Club now employs over 160 people and has seen a growth of 174% per year. 

With not one, but two successful luxury apparel brands now under his belt, we asked Brian his thoughts on trends for the coming year, the best advice he’s received as he set out on his entrepreneurial adventures, and what companies can do to really impress him.

Take a look at what Brian had to say:

Before becoming a fashion entrepreneur, Brian Spaly worked as a private equity investor for Wind Point Partners and Parthenon Capital, as the VP of M&A at AccuMed Home Health in Austin, and as a consultant in the Boston and San Francisco offices of Bain & Company. In addition to his MBA from Stanford, Brian holds an AB degree from Princeton University, magna cum laude. He enjoys shopping in Rio and Tokyo, skiing in Canada, training for Ironman-distance triathlons, and attending Burning Man. Brian lives in the heart of Chicago above a Trader Joe's, his favorite company in America. 

For more insights from Brian, as well as two other entrepreneurs to watch, Buyer’s Best Friend founder Joyce Guan, and Bespoke Collection President Paul Leary, download the ebook below.