Episode 1: Curtis Holloway Shares How Custom Clothing & His Personal Journey Inspire Others in Career Transition
In this episode of Main Street Matters, host Terresa Zimmerman, is joined by Curtis Holloway, the dynamic entrepreneur behind Suitability of McLean, a men's custom clothing establishment located in McLean, Virginia. Curtis shares his inspiring journey from a long-term corporate career, which one day he was just done with, to becoming a successful business owner. Helping customers in career transitions find confidence through clothing, it transforms lives.
Key topics in this episode:
- Curtis offers personalized consultations, taking into account his clients' hair, skin, and eye color.
- McLean, Virginia, is a suit-and-tie town with a strong military presence.
-Curtis has a transformative impact on clients, especially during transitions like leaving the military.
-Running a small business is challenging, requiring help with technology and expansion.
-Curtis's career includes being a published author, transitioning from a mailman to the mortgage —industry, and finding his passion in custom clothing.
-Adapting to technology, especially for virtual consultations and business expansion, presents challenges.
Featured in this episode:
Book Mentioned: "King: Conversations and Anthropology of Men" - Available on Amazon
Website: https://www.suitabilityofmclean.com
Curtis’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtis-holloway-95a17162
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Main Street Matters Podcast:
Website: www.mainstreetmatters.co
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mainstreetmatters1/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/main-street-matters/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@MainStreetMatters_MSM
Host - Terresa Zimmerman:
Terresa’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terresachristensonzimmerman/
Listen to the episode here:
Watch the episode here:
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Full Transcript
Curtis Holloway
You're the SMU, you're the subject matter expert. They've been in uniform all their lives. They're in the military. They're used to being told what to do anyway. So when you're standing up there in front of them, don't teach them. Just tell them what they're supposed to do.
Terresa Zimmerman
You're serving these people at a pretty critical point in their lives, this big pivot point that they're making. I mean, you're you're transforming lives.
Curtis Holloway
I really don't need a suit. Even some of the attendees of the class, I'm like, man, I don't I don't really need a suit, but I just want to come to your place just based off of the enthusiasm in which you teach the class. And when you talk about what you do.
Introduction
Terresa Zimmerman
Welcome to the Main Street Matters podcast. I'm your host, Terresa Zimmerman. Hi, I'm Terresa Zimmerman, founder of Main Street Matters. I'm here with Curtis Holloway, entrepreneur, educator, haberdasher, and proprietor of Suitability in Plain, Virginia. Curtis, welcome and thank you for joining Mainstream Matters.
Curtis Holloway
Good morning Terresa. Thank you for having me.
Terresa Zimmerman
Absolutely. So let's kick off right away and just tell us about suitability.
Curtis Holloway
Well, suitability, is the company is actually suitability of McClain. We're located here in McLean, Virginia. right near the Tysons Corner area. For those of you that are familiar with this area outside of Washington, DC. suitability of McClain is a men's custom clothing, establishment. We have a very nice, just to give you some details about the place here. A very quaint thousand square foot space where people come and they enjoy just being in our space because of the actual experience and environment environment that we provide outside of just, you know, selling them clothing. suitability came into or kind of, I'd like to say, fell into my lap by way of, you know, hard work and preparation myself. And, it just happened to fall into my lap by an introduction to my mentor. and if it's okay, I'd like to mention his name. Yeah. because it means a lot to me. Gentleman by the name of Sophie Oberon, who is from Sicily. With over five decades of knowledge and experience that we just became. Yeah.
Terresa Zimmerman
I've met. Yes, yes. Yeah. Sorry I cut you off. Yeah, yeah.
Curtis Holloway
That's fine. That's fine. and so we got introduced through a, a mutual necktie vendor salesperson who was a sales rep of another gentleman that I work for down in the Tidewater, Virginia area. And he also happened to be a sales rep for Sophie. And he made that introduction when I decided to take a leap of faith and go into business for myself.
Terresa Zimmerman
Amazing. Tell us a little bit about your customer.
Curtis Holloway
Okay, so my customer, I'd like to say, you know, I have a little something for for everyone, even from your, your young, teenage young man up to, adults. And, most of my clients for the majority are mostly military, mostly men from the armed forces of the United States. Here. And, and that's because of something, again, that was already established by my mentor. And I just kind of follow in his footsteps and picked up when I acquired the business. we actually teach the transition assistance program, class there. We actually teach to dress for success portion of that class where most of your, force members have to go through a course of classes before exiting or completely retiring, from the military there. So I really like to say maybe, anywhere from 80 to 90% of our business, comes from, those classes. So when they come through the door here at our, our office space, we're not selling them. They've already been sold based on the information that we share with them in the classes.
Terresa Zimmerman
That's phenomenal. Well, and where you're located to McLean, Virginia. That makes a lot of sense.
Curtis Holloway
Yes, yes, and I'm very grateful for that. tourism for the location here, and particularly because when I travel throughout, you know, some of the, workspaces in other areas, what happens is I'm hearing a lot of the guys, especially in your southern states, say that, hey, they haven't sold in Ty in years, right? And so, fortunately for me, I feel like, you know, being here with all the military establishments and all the government agencies, white House and things of that nature, this is always going to be, for the most part, a suit and tie town.
Terresa Zimmerman
Yeah. Which I love it. Men in time. Yes. Every day. Yes, I love it. That's an amazing service. You offer these, These men. I mean, I hope there's something for our, women and military out there as well, because, I mean, these guys are growing up never having to choose a lot of their own clothing, right? So.
Curtis Holloway
Correct. Yes. They've been in uniform all their lives. They've actually been, you know, told what to wear and when to wear it. Even though I've been in the business for quite some time, prior to acquiring it from my mentor, I was still somewhat a little, I don't know, fearful is the word, but just a little. Maybe hesitant because I just wasn't aware of a lot of the military terminology, you know, talking the language and all the abbreviations and everything that's a part of that, that environment and he pulled me to the side. My mentor did. He said, hey, listen, you're the you're the you you're the subject matter expert. They've been in uniform all their lives. They're in the military. They're used to being told what to do anyways. So when you're standing up there in front of them, don't teach them. Just tell them what they're supposed to do. And that just made it so much easier for me.
Terresa Zimmerman
So that's why I love Sophia so much.
Curtis Holloway
Yes. Yeah.
Terresa Zimmerman
Same with those undershirts, right? We talked about our shirts. Don't don't don't ask them if they need one. Just tell them they need one. Absolutely.
Curtis Holloway
Just tell them. Just tell. Yeah. Exactly.
Terresa Zimmerman
Yeah. So funny. so maybe talk a little bit about how how you do what you do. How do you serve this customer.
Curtis Holloway
So what what I do is, you know, obviously, you know, they schedule appointments, they come in and we sit down with them and we consult for maybe, you know, appointments or scheduled anywhere from an hour, hour and a half. And sometimes it's so cool when they, you know, they may have their kids with them or that, you know, husband and wife come in together because, you know, we like to get the wives opinions and thoughts on, on, on with what we're wearing because most of the times, you know, we are dressing for them for the ladies. So, but, you know, we go over everything from hair, skin and eye coordinates to the specifics as to what they're going to be using the clothing for, you know, especially with our military personnel there. you know, they do a lot of traveling in other countries and things of that nature. So we have to factor in temperature, the climate that they're going to be, you know, living in for sometimes over, you know, a year or two sometimes. So, we do that and then of course, we let them know what works best for them and their skin tone and stuff like that. And also, you know, not only that, of course, obviously there's the measuring aspect of everything. And so we have to, really, really educate them on because, you know, they could get a, as of so, you know, they could get a blue suit or gray suit or whatever, you know, from anywhere. But will they have the understanding when they leave out of that establishment of what it is that they've spent their money on, what it is that they're purchasing, how it's going to benefit them, how much versatility they can get out of what they purchase. so that there's a there's a lot that goes into it and we try to cover all those bases for them so that they feel extremely comfortable, not only when they're wearing it, but also to even to pass on the information and share it with because, you know, as you know, the military, circle, although you got all the different branches and stuff, but it is a very tight knit group. And, you know, again, I have to keep referring back to, things that I've learned and picked up from my mentor. You know, he said, hey, you take care of these men and women of the armed forces and they'll take care of you. And that's been my experience ever since I've acquired the business.
Terresa Zimmerman
I mean, you're you're serving these people at a pretty critical point in their lives, this big pivot point that they're making. I mean, you're you're transforming lives, wouldn't you say?
Curtis Holloway
Yes. And so, you know, you just reminded me of, you know, even here recently, but it's happened, you know, within the past, ever since I've owned the business, actually. But here recently, to have someone who has served several tours and had all these experiences in the military fighting wars and, you know, their resumes are off the charts, you know, it's just mind blowing some of their stories. And then they're sitting across the desk for me, telling me how they envy what it is that I do and how you know, it's sometimes almost brings me to tears. And I'm just very, it's very, very yeah, very gratifying, very gratifying. And so I, continue to serve myself and remain humble and, continue to do what I can do to give back. So.
Terresa Zimmerman
Yeah, I think well, so, I mean, that dives right into the role, the role that you play with them. Can you, can you just talk a little bit more about that? Because I feel like there's so much there for sure. Have with those customers or with and with your customers generally. Right. Because in the military, yes.
Curtis Holloway
But yeah, but but it's anyone, anyone that walks through the door. I've gotten we've gotten quite a few, walk ins, you know, we work by appointment, but we get so many walk ins where, you know, someone just needs something specific or, in terms of, like, right away. Because, you know, sometimes being in an industry you've probably experience yourself with, somebody may need something at the last minute or some of even some of your retail and say, hey, I need this shipment in by a certain time or what have you. And you try to do what you can to accommodate. But, you know, what what you make me think of when you ask that question is, I've had the experience and the opportunity to also do, like, in-home consultations. And as a matter of fact, it was right at the beginning, Teresa, of, Covid. And so I had never done that. I mean, of course, I've given advice to friends and family and stuff like that because they know I'm in the industry. But to have someone come to me and say, hey, Curtis, you know, we know that we're right in the midst of Covid and, no one's doing any visiting and going to people's homes and stuff. But the wife says, and this is her asking me, she says, I am so sick and tired of my husband asking me every morning, how does this look with this?
Should I wear this for this event, for this occasion? And because she doesn't know much more than then, you know, then he does in terms of what he should wear other than, you know, of course, ladies see color much better than we do, than men do. And and in a different way as well. But, so she said, if you wouldn't mind, we'd love for you to come to our home and just kind of. We're empty nesters now. And so, you know, he had purchased quite a few suits for me to get started at his new job and then also, he had some things that he had purchased from some other locations. Right. I went over and, after, you know, like I said, I hadn't done it professionally before. And so I did some research and, and, came up with a price for them that they were very comfortable with. And they said, sure, let's do it. We scheduled it for two hours. And Teresa, I was there at their home. It was maybe 1030 or so. And, when I left, we were there for like four or 4.5 hours. And it was so much it was so much fun. And to see, you know, me take, you know, go into one of the bedrooms where we had all of this, both things I had purchased from other places. And they had things they had purchased from me, all in the different closet there. for me to put things together in different ways with utilizing both, you know, wardrobes and then at some point to see both him and his wife go in and pull things out and say, well, how does this work? And I'm looking at it like, wow, I would actually wear that. And so to see my work being transferred to where they're getting it, just after showing them just a few things and, and explaining to them how, you know, colors work together and how contrasting patterns and all that stuff work and how you can interchange the wardrobe. Again, a very gratifying feeling. So, I, I like the fact that we provide that as well. And when they get to a level, where we like to say they've graduated, where, hey, they don't want the solid shirts or the solid suits anymore. You know, I have one client who specifically calls in and says, hey, Curtis, I'm ready to order my next building package is what he calls it, and he doesn't want any shirts. All Navy. Yes. Yeah. He doesn't want all that. He wants some fun stuff patterns. And he wants the crazy linings on the inside. Yeah, yeah. You know, he doesn't care if he's at, you know, the Pentagon or wherever walking around in his suit. You know, he's he's earned it. And, that's that's him showing personality now because he's at a level of comfort where, he knows that it's put together well, and he can wear it with confidence. And so that that doesn't, you know, that.
Terresa Zimmerman
That was a heart. That was the word that came to mind as you're giving these guys confidence. Yes. Walk out the door knowing that they are ahead of their resume in a different setting, right?
Curtis Holloway
As a matter of fact, I've had I remember one guy in particular. He came out and he walked over to the mirror and he stood there and he says, wow, I feel like I already got the job. And that's the whole that's the whole point. That's awesome. Yeah, that's the whole point. One. I remember one just recently a woman came in with her husband that she hadn't been in before, with him coming in for the fitting and measuring and picking out the suit. And it was for their son's wedding. Yeah. And so that that came in with the son, you know, and brought the tuxedo for the son and all of that, and brought himself to suit what he was going to wear. And when he brought his wife in for him to try his suit on, he was in the dressing room and she and I was sitting at the desk having a conversation. And when he comes out, she put her hands up to her face like this, and she started crying, oh my God. And I'm like, wait a minute, is you guys getting married to this a devil wedding? So. Oh, wow. But she literally burst into tears and she was like, wow, you look amazing. And so it was, I should have had that moment on on camera.
Oh, I wish I could have, but turned into your. I'll never forget it. Yeah. Yes. I'll never forget it.
Terresa Zimmerman
It's awesome that that's incredible. And it's amazing to be able to do that for people. Well yes. It can't all be like fun and happiness. Right. You've got to have some challenges.
Curtis Holloway
Of course. Yeah, yeah.
Terresa Zimmerman
Are you comfortable telling us a story about a challenge?
Curtis Holloway
Change?
Terresa Zimmerman
change all that? Well, protect the innocent.
Curtis Holloway
So here's the thing with that. I, I just had some folks walk in prior to when when we did the first pause. that, as a matter of fact, is going is has been a challenge in the last few days. But, you know, I, I've just built myself not I'm not just me doing it, but of course, all of the things that I've learned and picked up from others and, and particularly, you know, like people like Sophia and other people in the business and just in life in general that, especially when you're in, small business owner, you have to become a, a problem solver. Yeah. And so, I've had situations where a person will order something, they come in and they, you know, they're a certain size. And then when they come to pick up, you know, maybe four and a half, six weeks later, they're completely different size. And, you just have to figure out how to just make things right and make it work for both parties, for everyone involved. And so basically, in regards to that, I'd like to say I've just become a pretty good, problem solver. And, and if not immediately, somewhere down the road, I make it. Right. Yeah. Because I have yet to have a situation where, I've had, you know, similar challenges, somewhat of a challenge. And the client has not come back through the doors. So, you know, I'd like to say that I've become a pretty good problem solver there. That's great. I don't I can't really think of any specific, you know, details now where it's been like a major. Any major issues I really can't.
Terresa Zimmerman
That's great. That's great. Well, so I mean, aside from customers because it sounds like that's all. Well, you know, running a running a business, running a small business, there are challenges and.
Curtis Holloway
Oh, yes. Yes. Well, usually.
Terresa Zimmerman
They're not actually, I mean, for myself, they're not usually my customers. Everything else. So.
Curtis Holloway
Right. Yeah. So definitely, one thing is running, any business, small, small or large, L for that matter. Just running a household is very challenging to do, by yourself. So one thing is having good help and support. That's that's extremely, important. And, you know, because no one's going to do it the way you do it, or the way that you feel like it's, you know, it should be done. But then also, on the other hand, you still have to be open to, suggestions and stuff like that and allowing other people to, give their, their input because, you know, I don't, you know, you can't claim to know it all. And I don't, you know, for example, I'm not the most tech tech savvy person that's not my that's not my lane. I don't I'm more of the relationship developer. Get them through the door and and maintain the, the customer retention type. These there that that's me. Right. So I have to have people on board and, and delegate certain things and assignments to those so that the business can, can continue to function in the manner that it is, because I can't, be here all the time. For one, I would like to develop even more of what I mentioned earlier, like going out into people's homes and doing in-home consultations. I'm getting asked more and more, even by outside organizations outside of the military, but may still have some type of connection with the military to actually do more speaking and, and teaching and even some nonprofits where there's mentoring programs for young men. But I can't be everywhere at once, so I'm going to have to figure out and have some assistance here on maybe how I can, leverage that and myself and maybe clone myself in some kind of way, to do that. So but yeah, you definitely have to have, you know, some, some, some help here. And, and then there's the, the money side, the financial side of the business, you know, having to to, to maintain that stuff and making sure, you know, taxes and all that stuff is paid and paid on time and keeping up with those things. So as the gentleman who introduced me to Sophia told me, he said, Curtis, it's a great idea to go into business for yourself, but it is a tough business to do on your own, so you're definitely going to need a mentor. First of all, everyone should have a mentor and also I, I like to say everyone should, look to become a mentor at some point because it does no good to have the information and or retain the information and not share it. As I had a good friend of mine tell me once, and we were both involved in one of those network marketing businesses, together years ago, he told me, he said Holloway, he said, you're, you are the sharpest person in the room. You're the best dressed person, and you look sharper than all those guys that are on stage earning the, you know, five figure monthly income, six figure monthly incomes. But he said, you suffer from what I call knowledge constipation. He said, you read all the books, you listen to all the tapes, you come to all the briefings. But you don't act on it. In other words, you gotta you gotta let it out, act on it and and just keep continuing to get the information. But don't just sit on it. You have to do something with it. So, you know, it. It does no good to, to just retain the information.
Terresa Zimmerman
Right, right. Well, and so are you doing something about that? I mean, aside from joining me on a podcast to tell your story.
Curtis Holloway
Oh, yes. Yes, I am, I am, I am doing that. Which is why, I don't know if I mentioned I am doing more speaking and more, mentoring and things of that nature. Yes, for sure. and just taking the initiative to, to because this is I'll be honest with you, this is the third only the third time that I've done, a podcast.
Terresa Zimmerman
Oh.
Curtis Holloway
Yeah. The first time was, yeah, the first time was with a gentleman who asked me, he's he's an author, speaker, motivational speaker. And I ran into him at an establishment next door. We were both getting some food, and he complimented me on how I was dressed. And, he says, man, you're pretty sharp. Where's your business? And I told him, and shortly after that, he came in and I did an outfit for him. He was hosting an event out in Detroit somewhere. but shortly after that, he came in and interviewed me for a book that he was writing. And, that book is called the, King Conversations and Anthropology of Men. And so he interviewed 30 different men, and I was one of them. And so I am now considered a published author. And, in that book and my chapters called, I become a sellout, being, a sellout for your success.
Terresa Zimmerman
Nice. Okay. So, repeat the name of the book, and I assume you can get it on Amazon.
Curtis Holloway
Yes you can. The book is called.
Terresa Zimmerman
Oh, look at that, right?
Curtis Holloway
Yes, yes. King. Conversations and Anthropology of men. Yes. And you can get it on it. yeah.
Terresa Zimmerman
And and anywhere else.
Curtis Holloway
I'm sorry.
Terresa Zimmerman
Can you also get it on Barnes and Noble and.
Curtis Holloway
As far as I know, right now, it's only on, on on Amazon. Yes. But, you know, so that's me and my chapter.
Terresa Zimmerman
Nice. Love it.
Curtis Holloway
Become a sell out. Yes. And some of the things I talk about and and where I got that from, I still have, a Hotmail account, and I actually use that as my, as my, Hotmail address there, but, sell out is in the address there. But I got that from a gentleman that I heard speaking again in one of those multi-level marketing businesses. And I heard him say once that, you know, when he decided to take a different path than the folks in his in his peers and friends in his own neighborhood, his local neighborhood, did they begin to call him a sellout because he didn't do what it was that that the masses were doing? Yeah. he wanted more for himself and for his family. And so he said that he had heard once that sometimes you have to be a sellout to get out so you can come back and help out. and so I took that to heart, and, and, it was very, very profound to me. And so over the years, I've, I've met looked at that to mean it doesn't mean selling out to your to your people or to your culture or anything like that.
What it means to me is that you sell out to a purpose or cause that will put you in a situation to where you're able to come back and help out people, that you that are near and dear to you. Right. And a lot of times it's the folks that are near and dear to you, I found, that are the ones that when you do decide to take a different path, they're the ones that you usually sometimes get the most opposition and ridicule from.
And they're not even understanding that they could potentially be the beneficiaries of your success. Right? Right. But then you just have to, again, you know, stay the course and, and that's what I've done, you know, over the years and some of those same people that said, hey, man, you're crazy for leaving that, you know, I had mentioned I was a mailman for 20 years.
And so, prior to getting into this business. And so people say, man, you crazy for leaving that good government job. You know, I had a kid at the time that was five years old. And so, but I just had to I had to make that decision. Was it was it a challenge? Was it difficult? Yeah, most definitely. But at the end of the day, you know, those same people now say, wow, I wish I had the courage to do so. or they could be on their good government jobs earning a, what they say on paper, a good, you know, strong six figure income, but they're not happy. They're miserable. Yeah, yeah. Right.
Terresa Zimmerman
Well, change change is very scary for people. And and unfortunately, most people respond to change by criticizing whoever's doing the change. So I mean you're being correct. Yeah.
Curtis Holloway
Yes. Yes. So when I did walk out of that, that post office there back in 2006, and I always tell the story was on my birthday in 2006, February 25th. I went into work that morning to reset, and I punch the clock to start work. And about 45 minutes later, I walked back over to the time clock and I swiped and I walked out the door and I didn't say anything to anyone. I didn't fill out any paperwork or anything, just I just knew that that that had to be the day. Yes.
Terresa Zimmerman
Yeah. And that. And what did you do? What did you do when you, when you left there, you didn't start suitability right away. So what was your plan.
Curtis Holloway
No, I didn't, I, I didn't have a plan. I just knew that it wasn't going to be that, What what what I did was shortly after that, approaching, you know, late 2007, going into 2008, I relocate from the DMV here and moved back down to the Tidewater area, which is, you know, I'm originally from Brooklyn, New York, but I grew up, for the most part down in Tidewater Virginia, in Suffolk, Virginia.
There to be exact. And, I moved back there and I got involved and probably one of the worst industries you could think of as far as timing goes. I got involved in the mortgage industry. and the housing. Yes. And and.
Terresa Zimmerman
Seven. Eight. Oh, yeah. That's kind.
Curtis Holloway
Of terrible. Terrible timing. Yes. And plus, I had no idea what I was doing to start with. So I had never done it before. And so I ended up moving back there. And I did that for about a year. And a friend of mine called me up and said, hey, Curtis, I know you like clothing. There was a person down in that area, gentleman, who had a custom clothing business there, and I went and met with that gentleman on my lunch break one day from the mortgage company, and the very first meeting, he asked if I wanted to work for him, and a year later I end up working for that gentleman and, and then worked with him for about five and five and a half years there until I decided to take another leap of faith. I had built more relationships within the industry, as well as more passion for what it was that I was doing. And so I said, okay, I'm ready to do this on my own. And that was when I had the introduction there from the Thai vendor to meet with Sophia. Incredible, incredible. Well, and that was a life changing decision to, to, to do that.
Terresa Zimmerman
Yeah. So you're, you're not looking you're not looking back. Don't regret any of the decision.
Curtis Holloway
No, not not none whatsoever.
Terresa Zimmerman
It feels to me every time I talk to you that you're having a great time. I mean, you know, all the the hassles of running a small business aside, it feels to me like. Yeah. And what you do.
Curtis Holloway
Are you you I do, I that's I don't know what else to say. It is again. So, so gratifying the people that I meet, the relationships. I, I don't have to be pushy. I just show up and just do what I do, and people just. It attracts people. I, I don't know, I've. I've had so many people tell me that, that. Hey, man, I just, I, I really don't need a suit. Even some of the attendees of the class, I'm like, man, I don't I don't really need a suit, but I just want to come to your place just based off of the enthusiasm in which you teach the class. And when you talk about what you do. And then, of course, they all say that, you know, my, my story, touches them as well in terms of, you know, making that decision to walk away from a 20 year job that most people, you know, think is like, you know, the one of the best jobs there in the world. But, I just had a different mindset and just wanted more. It wasn't doesn't mean that I was better than anyone else. I just wanted more from. I was just different than than some people. That's all.
Terresa Zimmerman
Well, and let's be real, every man needs a suit.
Curtis Holloway
At least, of course.
Terresa Zimmerman
At least.
Curtis Holloway
Yes, at least one. Yeah. I say a man needs at least at least one suit just to be buried in. Right. They say, yeah.
Terresa Zimmerman
Well, preferably even if they're just walking their neighborhood in it, you know, just so the rest of us right here get to look at you in it, get that opportunity.
Curtis Holloway
Yes, yes. That reminds me of something that, you know, I used to hear my dad say. And also some of the, some of his, you know, associates and friends and even some of the older men that I've met that, you know, love clothing. they would put clothing on even if they had no plans. No, just to stand on the corner, you know, but because they took pride in themselves first of all, in their parents and, you know, they took pride in everything.
I know guys that just take so much pride in their in their their vehicles, their lawns, their home. You know, I tell, you know, some of the kids, even if there's trash in your yard and it blew in from the neighbor's yard, it's in your yard. Pick it up. You know, this is where you reside. This is where you live, you know. So, you know, the younger men that are getting into dating and stuff like that, you know, if the young lady comes over and she sees your room looking like, you know, a whirlwind just came through and she's okay with it, she might not be the right one.
Terresa Zimmerman
you know, it's your her to aim higher. Oh my God.
Curtis Holloway
Yes, yes.
Terresa Zimmerman
Well, it is funny though, because, you know, people will put stuff on and I see it. I go in stores all the time and somebody is like, oh yeah, but I have nowhere to wear it. I'm like, it does not matter if you feel amazing in it, wear it to the grocery store.
Curtis Holloway
Wear it to the grocery store. Yes, yes. Yeah, yes.
Terresa Zimmerman
Yeah.
Curtis Holloway
But where we are now, the grocery store outfit being, you know, the pajama pants and Uggs and stuff like that.
Terresa Zimmerman
And of.
Curtis Holloway
Course.
Terresa Zimmerman
Carried on airports. Oh man.
Curtis Holloway
Oh my goodness. Yes.
Terresa Zimmerman
I mean I, I'm, I'm Meg loungewear. I don't, I don't want to see anybody in an airport in it I don't, I don't.
Curtis Holloway
Yeah, yeah yeah I, I yeah, yeah I they can.
Terresa Zimmerman
Clothing pretend. Yes. Pretend like you might have to get stuck in another airport and go to a really nice dinner. Why not. You know, dressed for that. Right.
Curtis Holloway
Exactly. Exactly. Yes.
Terresa Zimmerman
I love okay. Well, so I, you know, doing what you do, and I know this. We talked to a lot of the same people because you have a peer group, we go to the same trade shows, all of that. Right. So it's, Yes, it can, but insular. Right. So how do you.
Curtis Holloway
I'm sorry. What was that? You said? It can get wet now.
Terresa Zimmerman
a little bit concealer, a little bit of a closed. Yes. Right. So how do you. Yes. Or or how do you sure that you're staying relevant and, you know, and ahead a little bit for your customers, right. Because you know, our our your customers are out there. They're, you know, maybe watching, the hottest trends, not that they're going to buy off the runway, but, you know, there's trends out there. How do you how do you stay relevant in what you're bringing to your business?
Curtis Holloway
Okay. So what I wouldn't say is much of a challenge, but maybe to a certain degree, because with the bulk of my client base being, you know, mostly men from the armed forces, yeah, they're starting out, of course, with the most conservative looks, because, you know, it's kind of like you got to take baby steps with them because this is something completely new with them. But what I've also had to work on is once they've gotten those basics out of the way, you know, here's what you're going to you need for just going out to dinner with your wife or just going to a, on a family vacation. Or maybe it be a cruise or something like that. And you know, you're not going to wear a, you know, a three piece gray suit or something of that nature on a cruise ship, you know, to the Caribbean or somewhere. You know, you need your casual wear, you need the, the wood underwear that's going to keep you popular and, and things of that nature when you love it, you know. Yes, yes. You need you need those things and your linens and your blends of fabrics and things of that nature so that your, dressed appropriately for those particular situations. When I teach the class, that's a, a huge word that I use. I use that very, very frequently. situational is always going to be situational. So you don't wear everything in every environment. You know, where we color in every environment. So, I'm that's part that I've been, you know, been working on. I think that we've, you know, got that going because guys have again, begin to graduate and understand that there's a need for those things. And I will tell you, another big help with that is the ladies, the wives, when they come in with them, which is why we, we we kind of we extend that invitation when they make an appointment and when we speak to them and confirm everything. sure. Please bring your wife with you, you know, because that that's almost like, an assist from the wife to us that, hey, you know, like, they got our back because we're sick of him wearing just the jeans and the t shirt and just saying that his flip flops and he's comfortable.
No. Get dressed, dress it up. So. Yeah. Yeah. But still in a very, but still in a very casual, relaxing way. And even if it's a suit, Teresa, I feel like it should be, even just as comfortable as your pajamas. I've had a client call me this attorney. Now, he's a retired, JAG officer, and he's an attorney, and he's called me once and said, Curtis, this suit is,
It's like pajamas, man. And that's the way it should be. It should be when it come out of the dressing room. Sometimes we gotta calm them down. You know, they're doing squats and jumping jacks. They're like, wow, these are the most comfortable trousers I've ever purchased, right? Yeah. And I'm like, whoa, slow down though. You know, they're not yoga pants.
But you know, I appreciate the fact that they're comfortable, but, you don't want to split the seams or anything at all. Right?
Terresa Zimmerman
Way first time, but.
Curtis Holloway
Yeah. So, but but it should be just as comfortable. I remember, you know, years ago, you remember when you got home, you had to take your, your Sunday clothes off and take your suit off, and but no, for me, I could I could lounge and relax on the couch watching, you know, NFL football on a Sunday in my suit and be just as comfortable as someone in their pajamas.
Yeah.
Terresa Zimmerman
So I want to talk a little bit more about nuts and bolts. So you said you're not at earlier. You said you're not a technologist, right? Surely you use technology in your business. Do there are tools and techniques and stuff that that are vital to you, that you that you consider like, I have to have this.
Curtis Holloway
You said, are there tools and techniques?
Terresa Zimmerman
Are there tools or techniques or technology that you consider vital to running your business day to day?
Curtis Holloway
Yes, of course. And this is probably, where I'm behind the eight ball and, and and I don't have any problem with admitting that is the social media aspect of the business, because, again, that's just not my forte. Understanding that, you know, it is extremely important to what it is that I do for even, expanding on that level of success here that we're having, is definitely necessary.
Curtis Holloway
So we are we are working on that these and I'm putting, you know, pieces in place for that people in place for that as well, to be able to assist me with, taking care of that. that part of the, that aspect of the business there. you know, obviously, you know, with some of the classes, you know, they're virtual as opposed to in-person sometimes because of scheduling.
Curtis Holloway
So, that was definitely a challenge. If I could mention, going back to your question about challenges, that was definitely a challenge as well, because it's much better when because again, I'm very personable, and it's much better when you're in person and you're doing the quick, you know, makeovers. And I, I describe them as like an HGTV makeover when I'm just switching out a simple pocket square and a tie, and I turn the person around to face me, and then when I'm done, I'll do the whole, okay, you already move that buzz, move that buzz, and then I'll turn the client around.
Curtis Holloway
And when they see the difference is like night and day and everybody's like, you know, when, when I just all I did was just change the time tied in, in a different way, give it a little bit more kind of nonchalant and a little bit more elegant looking and and added the pocket square there, which is what we describe as that, degree of chic.
Curtis Holloway
You know, our whole overall thing is the overall look should be understated elegance with a degree of chic.
Terresa Zimmerman
How did you transfer that to zoom? How did you do that or to online.
Curtis Holloway
So that that I, I had to actually use things like, had to set up forms as best I could for them to see those things and folding, you know, the pocket square in certain ways on camera so that I could see the difference in, you know, a couple of different ways that you unfold and, add the pocket square to the, you know, to the outfit and stuff like that but outside of that, it really wasn't much more, you know, that you could do in terms of doing the class via zoom. there. But it worked out because at first, you know, even the military bases were kind of getting used to it because everything was in person. And then, you know, of course, Covid changed so much there. And then, the classes, the members begin to even pick up with the virtual classes. So that's when I saw and then the feedback that I get from the classes. So there would be they would actually put the feedback on the screen so I could see it. before, you know, we shot that, that, that zoom down. And the feedback was very positive, which meant that, you know, they they wanted to continue to do those classes.So.
Terresa Zimmerman
Right.
Curtis Holloway
That that was a that was a big help in doing that because, you know, no one was coming in in person and scheduling appointments and stuff like that. Although you had these men and women retiring, still, even through Covid, they're still retiring. but if it were not for me continuing to do, the virtual classes, I would have took even more of a hit than than what I actually did. Yeah.
Terresa Zimmerman
Yeah. And, the technology.
Curtis Holloway
Was somewhat of a lifesaver. Yeah. Technology to be able to continue to make a lot of us.
Terresa Zimmerman
Yeah.
Curtis Holloway
Yes. Yeah. Yes. Yeah.
Terresa Zimmerman
And you continue to you and you continue to utilize what you learned from that period.
Curtis Holloway
Now I do. Yeah I do I still I still utilize virtual when I, when I can as a matter of fact, I just was talking to a person yesterday, one of facilitators over at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland there that. Hey, you know, a little short on help now, and I'm being pulled in so many different directions, I may ask, know request at some time, as opposed to me having to go all the way out there and then drive all the way back here or and also it affects my calendar, my booking of my clients, because I have to block out a full, you know, I have to consider travel time and all that stuff before, you know, when the class ends. And then before I get back to my office and of course, you know, traveling in this metropolitan area is ridiculous and very unpredictable. So, it affects the business somewhat to a certain degree. But, you know, things will and it'll it'll work out. You know, I'll just stay the course as I have this whole time and, just continue to do what I do and it'll work out.
Terresa Zimmerman
Good, good. All right, well, we're coming. We're coming kind of to the close of our time, but, is there anything that we should cover that you want to cover that we haven't covered?
Curtis Holloway
I don't I can't think of anything right now. Okay. Go ahead. Here. All right. Well, do you have any other questions?
Terresa Zimmerman
I do, I have a couple bonus questions for you. Okay, I'm calling the bonus questions because,
Curtis Holloway
You know. All right, well.
Terresa Zimmerman
They're a little bit, a little bit less day to day. All right. Bonus question. First one. So in, 2 or 3, five years, you know, whatever period of time out there, what changes do you see and how are you preparing for those now?
Curtis Holloway
Okay. So what I'm doing is utilizing this time here where, you know, I feel like things are growing, the business is expanding. I'm coming to the tail end, actually, of, Having the business paid off here in the very near future, within the next few months or so. very excited about that. But what I've done is just take advantage of my relationships and connections in terms of, if I could just had a client in yesterday who's from a class on this past, Wednesday where I want to expand it, kind of what I mentioned earlier to kind of, clone myself if I could, in some of the other, areas where it is and heavy influx of military and, force basis. Right. for example, like a San Antonio, and maybe possibly something like a, you know, San Diego or something of that nature and also the Taiwan area, which is right down the street from here. to set someone up there, maybe to be able to do what it is that I do, I'll go in initially and get things set up there. And, that way I can have you know, those bases covered, those places covered there as well, as a way of expanding, you know, the business and bringing it even more, you know, you know, more clients that way as well. And then also, you know, I've got some relationships with some folks that are like professional athletes and stuff like that, which is always, you know, a big help in terms of marketing and stuff. So, and then just, you know, making sure, of course, it always, regardless of what it is, you know, putting your best foot forward there. and, and making that first impression the best there at every is at every aspect being in business, personal, life in general, because people do look and watch. This is something that I've, you know, I've learned here over the years, even when I started the business and I had a small space down in Virginia Beach, people are always watching, whether you know it or not. And, you may not even be qualified, resume wise, to, to, on paper anyway, to have a certain position or do a certain job. But someone could see a quality in you that which is what so people said to me, hey, you have it. I've watched you over the years. You're ready? Yeah. Now. And all you have to do is understand the why, what it is. Because everything that you do, you know, you do it naturally. But you have to understand why it is that you do it. And when I heard him say, you know, to clients without even sharing with me that he was going to sell the business to me, and then I would hear him say things like, you know, yeah, I think it's time for me to go, you know, when the, teacher is learning from the pupil, then that's a sign that, you know, it's time for me to move on and and pass it on, and for me to create what he called is my own, my PhD.
In other words, you said your PhD is not just a piece of paper. It's what you've earned here from me. And, you take it and then add your thing to it. So, you know, expanding it would be awesome. Which is what? Something that I've been really, really seriously thinking about and contemplating doing there, as well as outside clients outside of the military world there as well. Because, again, I have something to offer, you know, for everyone. And I've thought about several times, working on clothing for the ladies, and that's something I'm still seriously thinking about. But, you know, not not not just yet. Yeah.
Terresa Zimmerman
Wow. Wow. That's that's all. That's a whole other conversation.
Curtis Holloway
Yes, yes.
Terresa Zimmerman
Okay. So here's a, here's maybe maybe a simple one. But but I hope a good one. Okay. what or who brings out the best in you or your team?
Curtis Holloway
Number one would be my my, my son is a huge inspiration to me. because he has been a go getter and someone who you haven't, I we haven't had to push him to do anything. He just one of those guys. It just takes the initiative, does what he has to do. I never forget when, his freshman year at Virginia Commonwealth College, some of his, peers, some of the upperclassmen were like, wow, this young freshman came in and said, hey, my name is, you know, Curtis Holloway. Where do I sign up for this? Where do I do this? Where do I do that? And before you know it, then he becomes, you know, president of different organizations and RA and all this kind of stuff. and that, that was just very, you know, inspiring to me. And then, of course, he had seen me over the years, it, you know, even at the post office, but also my different endeavors and, you know, like the multi-level marketing business and stuff like that. He saw that I was never really content with just, you know, working, a job there, which I feel very blessed and fortunate to be able to do so. But that wasn't the end goal. And I really feel like he picked up on some of that. So to see him, you know, take the initiative, kind of take the bull by the horns with his life. that's definitely inspiring to me. my associates that are, you know, on board here, they inspire me to get up in the morning. We challenge one another. We all have our own different styles and looks, which I think is awesome for our clients when they come in and see, you know, kind of like three different age groups really, as well as three different styles of dress and three, three different approaches to the, you know, the whole aspect of clothing and how and, and dressing for success there and it all and it all works. And then my, my, my clients, the relationships that I have with my clients, that, that makes me get up and that even so, my hours a Wednesday through Saturday, 10 to 6. But on any given Sunday, Monday or Tuesday, I'll make the 45 minute to to an hour drive over here just to be in my space, just to, you know, create and continue to be able to to bring value to what it is that we do.
Terresa Zimmerman
It's amazing.
Curtis Holloway
That's awesome.
Terresa Zimmerman
Thank you. Curtis, thank you for, joining me on this.
Curtis Holloway
Oh no, thank you. Thank you for, you know, all that you've done for, you know, and assisted me yourself, you know, in this business. and so, you know, looking forward to, you know, much continued success, with you and, and wishing you all the best with, with what you've done. I mean, in your story, I don't know the full details of it, but your your story is also an inspiring.
Terresa Zimmerman
Thank you. Thank you, thank you.
