Surviving Covid-19 layoffs: From investment banking to launching a successful menswear line

COVID-19, the global pandemic has wrecked the world in all forms possible and snatched away millions of jobs and sources of livelihood. Amidst such trying times all people are looking for means and ways to stay afloat and search for other opportunities in their niche. Not many during such unprecedented times would think of starting a new venture from scratch. This is the inspiring yet daring story of Brandon Snower, a 24-year-old investment banker who lost his job during the pandemic and instead of looking for jobs in the same field he took the courageous step to start his own menswear clothing brand.

A new beginning 

Taking to Linkedin, Brandon shared his tumultuous journey during the pandemic that left him jobless, and in spite of the adversities and living in one of the most expensive cities in the world, New York, he did not let circumstances pull him down. As a 23-year-old graduate from Northwestern University, he took the call to start a company of his own, that too in a field he had no education or prior knowledge in - Menswear, LE COLLIER. 

LE COLLIER is a New York-based menswear brand reinventing the traditional and old-fashioned way of men’s clothing offering fun & innovative styles made from premium Portuguese fabrics. It embraces a modern heritage, along with blending men’s traditional class and style with today’s fun, contemporary attitude and swagger. 

The 23-year-old graduate went from looking at his watch to looking at swatches to create a new aesthetic in menswear. It is not an easy feat to switch to an entirely new field and grow a business amidst a financial crisis at the young age of 23. Brandon is a quintessential example of how one should not lose hopes and work towards making one’s passion a reality. In February 2021 Brandon sold out in one week and decided to pursue this as his full time. 

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