Emma launched Socko to provide sustainable socks and re-teach the lost art of darning.
History of Company
My dream of Socko began when searching for meaning in my work. It spent about a year in the research and development phase. I am currently trading through direct channels; online and market stalls – it’s the best way to get to know my customers. Socko are all about slow fashion and making your clothes last longer. This is one of the reasons why each pair of socks comes with a swatch of yarn and a darning needle. One of the main challenges when starting up has been sourcing suppliers and manufacturers willing to work to smaller minimum order quantities, willing to take a chance on a business that will hopefully be placing larger orders in the future.
Highlights?
I’ve taken all the free help I can get. Every pound counts in a business, particularly in the early stages when you’re testing its viability. I’ve attended numerous workshops from managing cashflow and projections through to visual merchandising. They’re not only informative but also a great way of meeting fellow micro businesses.
How has Nwes support changed your business?
Start&Grow was my first experience of Nwes and I found it to be an incredibly useful and accessible programme. Writing a business plan can be daunting but having John guide you through is a big help. Being able to have a monthly check in with an experienced business advisor then allowed me to stress test my thinking and sustain momentum. As a solo entrepreneur it felt like I had someone else (emotionally) invested in my business.
What are your plans over the coming year?
“This year sees our second range of socks launching as well as further products. We hope to be wholesaling by the end of the year. A definite recent highlight for us was collaborating with designer Bethany Williams, which saw Socko on the catwalk at London Fashion Week. We’re always looking for relevant collaborations and partnerships.”