Q&A: Willie Wagtail the market hole that fulfilled a lifelong ardour for entrepreneurship

Shawn Asselin might have had a thriving company profession in fintech however he has all the time been an entrepreneur at coronary heart, a way that goes again into his childhood. That keenness for entrepreneurship was reignited when he noticed a spot available in the market for jocks that will ‘match his wants.’ The side-hustle that will turn into Willie Wagtail grew right into a profitable six-figure enterprise that Shawn would dedicate himself to full-time. We speak to Shawn to be taught extra about his journey with Willie Wagtail.

ISB: How did your curiosity in entrepreneurship at an early age start?

SA: From a younger age, I actually beloved incomes my very own cash and shopping for myself one thing like a brand new online game. I began delivering newspapers seven days per week after I was 12. Shortly after eBay launched in Canada, I began flipping issues on eBay. I even began constructing customized PCs and promoting them on eBay. My fascination with ecommerce led to dropshipping for a couple of years as properly. These experiences planted the seed that I may at some point construct my very own model and it simply occurred to coincide with needing new underwear.

ISB: What gave you the boldness to create one thing progressive with Willie Wagtail given the ‘jocks’ market at the moment?

SA: Nothing available on the market ticked all of the bins I used to be on the lookout for, so I began designing one thing with out figuring out the place it could lead. I spent over a 12 months growing the Willies, refining a number of variations of the design till they delivered all-day consolation the place I can put them on and neglect about them, no changes wanted. That’s after I knew I had one thing particular. Past the product itself, I noticed an enormous alternative in branding. With a reputation like Willie Wagtail, the model naturally leans to the cheeky facet and is memorable. Clients have actually embraced it have left some fairly epic critiques on our web site.

ISB: Coming from a company profession, what was probably the most troublesome facet of your transition to be a full-time entrepreneur and the way did you overcome it?

SA: I ran Willie Wagtail for a full 12 months alongside my company position, so after I lastly left, it was a calculated transfer. The enterprise was rising and my spouse and I agreed it was the appropriate time to go all in. What I wasn’t ready for was the loneliness that got here with working by myself whereas making an attempt to scale the enterprise. Shifting from an enormous organisation to being a solo operator was an actual shift. The very best factor I did was be a part of a web based enterprise group. Connecting weekly with different founders who’re going through the identical challenges has been extremely useful.

ISB: How do you steadiness your roles as an entrepreneur and a father?

SA: Since beginning Willie Wagtail, I’ve turn into very disciplined with my time and the place I focus my power. Balancing each roles grew to become way more manageable as soon as I left my company job. Operating a enterprise doesn’t exchange a nine-five as I most likely work extra hours now, however the rhythm of the day is totally different and way more aligned with household life. We’ve additionally integrated the enterprise into our household. After we used to pack orders from dwelling, my daughter was the order packer. We listened to our Taylor Swift playlist and packed the orders from the weekend!

ISB: How have been you capable of obtain a six-figure income for your enterprise throughout the first 10 months of the enterprise?

SA: Within the 12 months main as much as launch in November 2023, I spent my free time studying about promoting on-line and constructing a model. On my commute to the workplace, I listened to numerous enterprise podcasts, learn books and watched tutorials on find out how to arrange Fb advertisements. I used to be not at all an skilled, however had sufficient information and talent to get to that end result. One other factor was studying from errors and failures and embracing that it’s a part of the method. Mentorship was additionally important. Being a part of a enterprise group the place I can leverage information from founders which have executed it’s priceless.

ISB: What’s your imaginative and prescient for Willie Wagtail within the subsequent couple of years?

SA: Over the subsequent few years, my imaginative and prescient is to maintain constructing a group round Willie Wagtail, whether or not that’s by partnerships with totally different organisations, just like the one now we have with 1% for the Planet and by constructing deeper connections with folks which might be aligned with our model values. We’re centered on increasing globally, particularly past Australia and New Zealand. Most significantly, I need the model to proceed to have a optimistic influence in folks’s lives and the planet. As we develop, our product vary will increase primarily based on market demand and suggestions from our loyal clients. I’m additionally wanting ahead to rising past a one-man staff, which can begin taking place in 2026. Thrilling time forward!