194: Modernizing a Family Clothing Business – Sonny Balani of Balani Custom Clothiers

194: Modernizing a Family Clothing Business – Sonny Balani of Balani Custom Clothiers

Background on Sonny Balani of Balani Customs:

Sonny Balani is the CEO of Balani Custom Clothiers which has re-imagined the custom clothing experience as it applies to today’s client. He has designed a contemporary showroom and developed a collaborative selection process, establishing Balani as the premier custom clothier in Chicago. Today, Balani Custom is featured as “One of the Top Six Tailor's in the World by JW Marriott Magazine, and well recognized as Chicago's Premier Custom Clothier.

In 1953, Peter Balani set out to master the art of custom clothing. He traveled the globe & established relationships with the top European Fabric Mills. In 1961, Peter founded Balanai Custom Clothiers in Chicago, seving a small group of dedicated clients. He successfully ran the business for 40 years before asking Sonny to join the family business. Sonny was 16 and decided he'd pave his own route in the business world. Ten years later Peter asked again if Sonny would be interested in joining the family business. No longer a teenager, Sonny decided now was the time to shine… it would be a Sunny Day for the business.

Sonny helped modernize the family custom clothing business while also expanding it nationwide. Today they are open in 14 cities around the United States of America. Throughout the expansion, they have upheld 5-Star Ratings on virtually every review platform. The values and quality of Balani Custom Clothiers will always be a core of everything they provide to their clients.

Time-Stamped Show Notes:

[3:14] Sonny Balani is 46 and has been running Balani Custom Clothier for 17 years.
[4:17] They ended 2019 with over $10 million in sales but they will be lucky to be in the $6 million range for this year because of the pandemic.
[5:04] Sonny explains what Balani Custom Clothier is all about.
[7:08] Their store in Chicago was looted.
[13:24] Even though this year has been extremely challenging for Sonny, he remains strongly optimistic.
[21:32] Balani Custom was founded by Sonny’s father. As he was growing up, his father wanted him to take over the business but Sonny didn’t want any part of it.
[26:47] Traveling to different parts of the world gave Sonny a good life perspective.
[29:01] Austin and Sonny talk about being grateful for the things you have today.
[32:09] In 2003, Sonny started working at his father’s business. He also shares some of the issues he had on managing people.
[36:25] When he redesigned their first store, he installed a bar to improve customer experience and make their shopping a lot more enjoyable.
[38:18] In the early days, Sonny and his father had several fights and misunderstandings on how to run the business.
[40:45] Sonny learned how to figure out everyone’s role in the business, including his father.
[45:48] Being a part of various entrepreneur organizations was so much helpful for Sonny.
[50:10] In 2013, they started to open a second store location at Houston.
[1:05:04] Sonny offers key advice and business tips for entrepreneurs.

Peter Balani – 1962 Chicago Trunk Show

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Fabulous 4 Questions:

📖📚 Favorite Books? What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School by Mark McCormack
🙌😎 Favorite Amazon.com purchase? Sonos Speakers
🌱💸 Favorite Tool that's GROWN your Business? EOS – Entrepreneurial Operating System
💭💡 BIGGEST Challenge keeping your Business from GROWING? Temporary changes in traditional, professional dress attire that could lead to long-term downward trends

Key Point from the Interview:

“Always be looking for talented people out there, and figure out ways to attract that talent.”

Resources Mentioned:

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