Last month we were lucky to get an opportunity to catch up with BBC Apprentice finalist, Nick Holzherr.
Nick made it to the final stage of the Apprentice but unfortunately Lord Sugar was not sold on his internet startup, which to us seems like it could really catch on (check it out here.)
We chatted about brands, his style of clothes (and shoes), and the fashion industry. Check out the full interview below:
SFB: Could you tell us about Nick – the brand? Do you ever express your “personal brand” visually?
[Laughs]
I don’t, you know. I think that’s probably part of my, as you say, brand. I don’t do anything at all like that.
I think what I was known for was probably being strategic in my thinking. Being concise and approaching things intelligently.
So I try and do that because I think it works well in business. I don’t do it for any branding reasons but because it was on the show that probably become my [“personal”] brand.
In terms of dress, I like simple things. I don’t like things that are too complicated. But generally, again, I don’t really have a specific “brand” if I’m honest with you.
SFB: Can you comment on attitudes towards art, design, and fashion in entrepreneurship circles?
I think, for me, one thing is I get comments on is the shirt with a suit top. I think, actually, it’s a mix between smart and casual. That’s what I like to wear.
And sometimes that will shock somebody who’s meeting me and they’ve come in a full suit, expecting me to wear that too.
But generally, it’s giving people an impression that you are professional and you do know what you are doing, but you are not the average sales businessman in a suit. You are at least wearing something that’s more comfortable.
I guess that’s kind of what the look is. But it’s not really on purpose. It’s more of, “how much can I get away with, being casual, while still maintaining a professional look?”
And some of the famous entrepreneurs, I guess, have given anybody else trying to be an entrepreneur a benchmark to follow. Which is basically, a suit top with a shirt and maybe some smart jeans. That’s probably about where that line is.
SFB: It works pretty well doesn’t it? Because it strikes a fine balance between being formal and relaxed.
Absolutely. And when I was on the Apprentice we had to wear suits. That was the first time I wore a full suit that much! We were wearing fulls suit everyday. So that was quite different.
I did actually ask them, can I not wear a tie and come with just an open shirt and stuff? And they said “actually, yeah, you can Nick”. And then I was told by all my friends, “Nick don’t do it! It’s too much of a risk. People will think you’re not being respectful to Lord Sugar etc.” So I ended up wearing a full suit.
BBC Apprentice 2012 Finalist, Nick @ Offices
SFB: By the way, have you ever delved into the fashion business? What do you make of the fashion industry and are there any words of advice for graduates interested in this area?
I would say branding is absolutely key. And branding is not just your logo. It’s also about what’s associated with your brand. What you stand for, why you are doing it – this is absolutely key in any industry, but also particularly important in the fashion industry.
Often, multiple brands will do the same kind of style and actually one of them takes off with it, because they have the right branding. They’ve managed to inspire people in a certain way; for example, do you wanna be a college grad from America or do you want look like someone from Mad Men?
So the key advice is whatever you do, brand it very very well. And be clear about what your positioning is with it. And if you do that with anything (fashion included), you really increase your chances of success.
SFB: Thanks for the advice Nick! Final question, we couldn’t help but notice that you are wearing some Sperry shoes. We actually reviewed a pair on our blog a while back, what do you make of them?
Nick Wearing Sperry Top-Sider “Boat” Shoes
They’re very very cool. I like the fact that they’re on the American side of things. They’re a bit different to what you get in the UK. They’re still very high quality. They look cool and are very comfortable. I’ve been wearing them for quite a bit, I really like them.
SFB: Thanks for your time Nick and good luck in your future business.
