Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Mokris.
Amy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
With a background in photography, product design and marketing, designing watches always felt like a fusion of all the things I really loved. Back in 2014, I was frustrated shopping for watches because I could never find a design I’d actually wear, let alone a brand that prioritized a philanthropic approach to doing business. When I first started the business, I saw Le Coeur as an opportunity to build my dream brand and incorporate a give-back component that I felt the industry was missing.
Feeling inspired after working and designing in Paris post-college, I wanted Le Coeur to be rooted in timeless European design and inspired by travel at large. While each timepiece is named after the city that inspired it, every purchase helps to serve the greatest need of one of our four seasonally-rotating partner charities. After launching on crowd-funding platform Kickstarter, and meeting our $10,000 funding goal in 48 hours, I knew we were on to something good.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been smooth, rocky, and an incredible and constant learning experience. I think one of the biggest challenges has been scaling the business while bootstrapping. I’ve always wanted to be very intentional with when and how we ever take on outside investment or capital, knowing it’s essential to bring on the right strategic partners who understand your brand vision and can offer the type of support you’re especially looking for. I know that as wonderful as taking on partners can be, it does come with a trade-off. Strategic partnership is the goal, not only venture capital as a means to achieve rapid growth.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Le Coeur Watch Co – what should we know?
Le Coeur is a Chicago-based unisex watch brand with a minimalist aesthetic and social mission. While each timepiece is named after the city that inspired it, every purchase sends proceeds back to one of four seasonally-rotating partner charities. We don’t take our customers’ business lightly, and never did I want the influence of their investment to stop at checkout.
Our customers are making an impact in the communities we call home as we reinvest in causes and organizations that are creating positive change in our world. Le Coeur isn’t just the minimalist’s favorite time teller, it’s a movement that aims to give back and impact the communities around us.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I’ll root for Chicago all day. Building a business in the city has been an incredible experience, and the community here has easily made for our most loyal supporters. While being big enough to create an impact, Chicago feels small enough to reach customers and scale efficiently.
And even though calling Chicago home was an easy decision, I think there’s room for improvement throughout the Midwest for more structured support and resources within the fashion industry.
Whether this takes shape as an incubator or design hub, I think Chicago could make for an incredible host and give designers a reason to plant their businesses in the Midwest, rather than seeking industry resources in New York or LA.
Pricing:
- Classic Collection: $160
- Timeless Collection: $180
- Chrono Collection: $245
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lecoeurwatches.com
- Email: hello@lecoeurwatches.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/LeCoeur_Watches
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/LeCoeurWatches
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeCoeurWatches
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