Today we’d like to introduce you to Mac Hoak.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Mac. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
We started Mecox 20 plus years ago in the Hamptons on Long Island as a home and garden retail store with a focus on design and unique items. After 10 years in the financial world, it felt like the time for a change! With no experience in retail or design, but an interest and love of the home and garden, Mecox was born in 1996. We slowly expanded with more emphasis on interiors and opened a Pop Up in NYC over Christmas. Then, after we decided to make NYC a permanent store, we are still in the same locations in Southampton and NYC after 20 years, we followed our customers to Palm Beach where we have now had a store since 2000.
And then LA was next, followed by Dallas, Houston, Pittsburgh and Napa.
All of our 8 stores are small and while there is a cohesive feeling, each is unique and reflects much about the local community and the local store teams.
We still mix vintage and new with original art and craftsman pieces. And we have developed our own line that we design and produce for our stores as well as we wholesale to other retailers or larger design firms.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I doubt any small business owner would ever say it has been a smooth road! From the financial crisis in 2008-2009 to the COVID crisis today, it’s always a challenge. Retail has evolved so much in the last 20 years, and while it’s a challenge, it’s also an amazing daily experience when mixing customers, employees, vendors, landlords, bankers, family in one small company. The challenges make it difficult, but yet make it fun to navigate your way through to ensure you survive till the next day.
Mecox – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Our small team is what’s unique among our competitors. Most of our team has been a part of the evolution of our business for almost the entire 20 years. Each store team has created its own store in a way – merchandising and customer service and its business. Our customers have been amazingly loyal and supportive over the years. Many of our clients are interior designers and many have worked with us over and over and over for 20 years. And our craftsmen, vendors and artists make the third leg of the stool that has enabled us to evolve and grow.
So while we are known for an interesting, eclectic mix of vintage and new home furnishings, it’s the mix of employees, customers and vendors who set us apart. Sounds trite, but it’s not really the product that produces success and longevity, but it’s the mix of people.
Most proud? Maybe it’s surviving for 22 years! And adapting and trying new things, and being a consistent, albeit small, part of an interesting design world.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Our customers define our success. Of course, it’s nice to get editorial recognition in design magazines or awards from our industry trade groups. It’s nice to get compliments from designers or customers in our stores. It’s nice when landlords want you in their locations because of what they have heard or seen about your business.
All of that’s nice, but it’s the customers who commit with their wallets over the long haul that validate your businesses and your customer service. There are so many options available these days. Our products are nice, but many others are too. So it’s having built a small business that has earned the trust of customers for many years who still support us even with all the other amazing options in the world today.
Contact Info:
- Address: Mecox Los Angeles
919 N. La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90069 - Website: www.mecox.com
- Phone: 3103589272
- Email: [email protected]
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