Two college buddies turned a simple idea and a few late nights into a profitable bow tie business — one stitch at a time.
Challenge
When Chris D’Antonio was a college student, he wasn’t looking to start a business — he just wanted a decent bow tie for his birthday. His mom had asked what he wanted, and he figured a stylish shirt and a bow tie would make a good upgrade to his wardrobe.
But when he started shopping, the prices were outrageous. Most quality bow ties cost $60 or more, which was more than his student budget could handle. On a whim, he tried to make one himself using an online tutorial and an old t-shirt. After a few uneven stitches and a lopsided knot, he realized sewing wasn’t going to be his new hobby.
Still, the idea stuck with him. Why should nice bow ties be so expensive? That simple question led him to start thinking bigger.
Action
Within 24 hours, Chris made a bold decision: he was going to launch his own affordable bow tie brand. He called his friend Kyle, and together they brainstormed how to make it happen.
They began researching manufacturers in the U.S., but the quotes were too high. So they turned to Alibaba, a global directory that connects entrepreneurs with suppliers. After comparing several factories, reading reviews, and negotiating prices, they ordered their first batch of samples.
In the meantime, they built a simple website, designed a logo on Fiverr for $25, and photographed their friends modeling the ties. When the samples arrived, they were impressed — the quality was excellent. With $1,000 pooled from their savings, they placed their first order and officially launched Virginia Southern, offering stylish bow tie and pocket square sets for under $30.
Result
At first, sales trickled in slowly — $200 here, $300 there. But word spread, and their brand started gaining traction. They began selling through college bookstores, focusing on smaller independent shops that didn’t already carry bow ties. Over time, their products found homes in 10 different stores, and they earned more than $15,000 in profit.
Not every experiment worked. When they tried expanding into t-shirts, the overseas order arrived full of misprints and holes — a total loss. But rather than give up, they doubled down on what they did best: bow ties.
Lesson
Chris and Kyle’s story is proof that resourcefulness beats experience. They didn’t know anything about manufacturing or retail when they started — just that they wanted to create something stylish and affordable.
By combining creativity, persistence, and smart use of online tools, they turned a $1,000 idea into a sustainable small business. Their journey is a reminder that you don’t need a fashion degree or a big budget to launch a brand — just the courage to start and the willingness to learn.
Sometimes all it takes is one good idea, a little teamwork, and a lot of follow-through.
Inspired by a true story originally featured on Side Hustle School by Chris Guillebeau. This rewritten version is independently produced and fully original.