Brandon Blum, a Temple University alumnus, is transforming the way charitable giving meets fashion through his innovative brand, For Others. (Photo courtesy of Brandon Blum)
This Q&A feature with Temple alumnus Brandon Blum, class of 2014, the CEO and co-founder of apparel brand For Others was recently featured in the latest edition of The Loop, the marketing department’s student newsletter.
Temple University graduate Brandon Blum, class of 2014, is the CEO of For Others, a New York-based lifestyle brand that gives back to the community. Transforming his grandfather’s wisdom that “meaning comes from doing for others,” Blum has utilized his determination and vision to turn For Others into a growing brand that combines style with local impact.
In our Q&A with him, Blum, who describes himself as a fashion industry outsider, explains the origins of his brand, the positive and negative experiences he’s encountered in his entrepreneurship journey, and details about his company’s internship experience.
(Photo courtesy of Brandon Blum/For Others)
Can you tell us about the brand For Others and how it started?
Of course! For Others is a locally conscious lifestyle brand based in New York that gives back based on ZIP code. I started the brand in late 2021 with my younger brother Jonathan. We were really determined to create something that inspired our friends and family to be part of the solution during the pandemic instead of part of the problem.
Our goal was to create a clothing company that provided real impact to real people in their own local community—without compromising quality or style. We named the brand “For Others” in honor of our late grandfather, who always told us growing up that, if you wanted to find meaning in this world, you had to “do for others.” In just a couple of years, For Others has built a growing and devoted following of customers motivated to leave a positive impact on their local community and the world at large.
How would you describe the culture of your company?
Our company culture is small but mighty! We have a small team of interns and freelancers who all play huge roles in the growth of the business. As the leader of the company, I am determined to create a culture that’s positive, genuine and fun. We give everyone involved room to make mistakes. I want to give people agency to make decisions for themselves. One of the areas of the business I’m most proud of is the employee testimonials we’ve received thus far.
What is the makeup of your team? Is it a lot of recent grads, college students or freelancers?
We’re a team of just two full-time employees but work with a handful of interns and freelancers at any given time. The team is young, but we also seek industry voices who have experienced a lot in their careers, who can sometimes see things coming before we do. I think having a balance of young talent and industry veterans is very important.
“Everyone is going to tell you what you should be doing. Only listen to the voices you admire and the voices who have been in your shoes in some shape or form.”
What is it like creating a brand from the start?
Oh man. It’s tough! I will not lie to you or anyone reading this: starting a business will test you in every way. But the wins are unlike anything I experienced in other jobs. The lows are low. I’ve cried tears of joy and tears of pain, sometimes in the same week. I think naivety is a big part of starting a business. Had I known what I was getting myself into, I may not have done it! But you can play that fact to your advantage. Just go for it! Don’t overthink it.
What challenges have you faced?
I struggle with being a fashion outsider at times. Learning how to make products, at a good price and with good production partners is a challenge. We’ve learned some hard lessons in that department. But this has forced me to improve my networking skills and be more resourceful.
I’ve also learned to be careful who you take advice from. Everyone is going to tell you what you should be doing. Only listen to the voices you admire and the voices who have been in your shoes in some shape or form.
When you think about your brand, where do you see it in the next five years?
Such a great question and one my wife is always pushing me on. I want to build a purpose-driven brand similar to the style of Kith. I want to collaborate and partner with huge names in culture. I want to have stores in major cities. I want to grow the business so that it employs hundreds of people and gives back to local communities in a way that’s never been done.
In five years, I hope the business is thriving and we are a leader in the industry when it comes to product, storytelling and community.
(Photo courtesy of Brandon Blum/For Others)
“We’re always interacting with our consumers and brand ambassadors on Instagram. We recently launched a “Locals” Instagram page dedicated to our brand ambassador program. “
How do you describe your social media strategy?
This is always evolving. We want to show that we’re building community, “cool” people are wearing us and that we put out “newness” often. As far as TikTok, we haven’t prioritized it as much lately as we did earlier in the brand’s history, but we try not to “sell” the products on there. Instead, we try to offer value to people who come across the content.
What do you find are the best ways to connect with your consumers on social media?
We’re always interacting with our consumers and brand ambassadors on Instagram. We recently launched a “Locals” Instagram page dedicated to our brand ambassador program. We also always put new drops on our Instagram and make them available to shop via Instagram’s shopping platform “IG Shop”—this helps us move products quicker.
How much growth have you had with social engagement? What app do you find captures the most interaction?
Instagram is our best social media platform. Growing on the app is tough, though, and takes a lot of time, but we are always direct messaging people and trying to introduce new people to the brand and mission.
Since you are based in New York, does that add culture to your brand?
Absolutely— “New York” is a brand in itself. And we are proud to be building the brand here.
Does For Others have any partnerships or collaborations coming in the future?
I would love to work with the Philadelphia 76ers or the National Basketball Association (NBA) in general. Basketball has been my favorite sport since I was seven years old. It would be a dream come true and something I’m trying to manifest!
What is unique about the internship experience at For Others?
Everything you’d be doing at For Others directly impacts the growth of the business. Our interns play a huge role. You interact directly with our marketing partners, the influencers we work with and are a real partner in the process with us. I think it’s valuable, and past interns have noted that part of it, being so involved, was their favorite part of the internship experience.
What do you aim for students to learn during the internship?
Interns will see how to go to market with a new collection, how we get things ready on the backend (like set up the site, reach out to influencers, pitch PR contacts, etc.). They will also see how we think about what we say yes to and what we say no to. You will work directly with me. We meet one on one each week to touch base and regroup on projects. You’ll see how a brand is built from the ground up. You’ll learn a lot, it’s impossible not to!
How can students stand out when applying to the internship?
I look at past experience and areas of interest. I like to see a through line, if possible. For example, if you are a marketing major and have one to two internship experiences in marketing, that’s a sign you’ve committed to a certain path. If the resume seems a bit all over the place and un-focused, I am more hesitant.
Bonus Questions
How has your life changed since becoming a CEO?
It’s changed a lot. I’ve met some incredible people and learned a lot about myself and how I inspire and lead others. I also have learned a lot about how to stay positive and always move forward. There’s been PLENTY of moments where I could have quit. But I have stuck with it, pivoted at times, and stayed committed each and every day. As a CEO, there are no days off.
How much thought goes into growing your business?
Even on vacation, I am always thinking about growing what I’m working on. It drives my wife nuts, to be honest. But hey, it’s what I signed up for. But I think it’s a balance and important to relax at times, too. Everyone has to figure out what works best for them and those around them.
What advice do you have for students who are interested in starting their own business… give me the top three things you wish you knew when you started For Others?
- Just start.
- Surround yourself with people who know more than you do.
- Keep going.