Why Small Businesses Matter
Shop small, do big things for your community
Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story.
You're IT The Two Oh Three!
Three questions with Tory Brown, co-owner of The Two Oh Three.
Why did you start your business?
The Two Oh Three was launched when we realized that those who loved Connecticut needed a way to show their pride. Although we didn’t know exactly how we would do it, or what kind of effect the company would have on the community, we were determined to find out. After a few months of playing around with the idea of creating a Connecticut clothing brand, we started to realize that clothing would only be the beginning. What was originally started as a hobby, quickly took on a life of its own and has since transformed into a brand for the entire Connecticut community.
What is your best selling product/service?
One area of our company that might not get as much attention as our products, but has been equally as successful, are our Instagram and Facebook profiles (@TheTwoOhThree). Here we have been able to grow a strong online community which is dead-set on sharing valuable CT themed information. From trendy restaurant suggestions and weekend getaway ideas to sharing gorgeous pictures of the CT landscape, we use social media as a way to connect with our followers on a daily basis. Our brand comes to life through our social media platforms, and we truly love using them as a tool to connect with our community.
How many local businesses do you use to support your business (products and services) and can you name them?
Working with other small businesses is really at the core of The Two Oh Three. We lean on others and others lean on us; it’s really what our community is all about. First and foremost, all of our gear is locally designed, printed and embroidered right here in Connecticut. We work with several local artists to design and create specialty products for us every season. Not to mention a kick-butt screen printer who we would not be able to do this without! We also work with 27 local retail stores who sell our products throughout the state. Additionally, there are several local companies that we turn to as a resource for more ways than our products. For example, our friends in Stamford, Half Full Brewery and Hey Stamford have been incredible partners for events and fun community collaborations and we enjoy nothing more than watching them grow to new heights. More recently, we started working at a new co-working space in Westport called The B:Hive, and it is super cool to see connections beginning to blossom into potential collaborations-- Stay tuned!
Visit The Two Oh Three online here. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook @TheTwoOhThree.
The Two Oh Three tags The B:Hive
HamletHub thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!