Step into the Entrepreneurial Journey: Founders Q&A with Maurice Perry II

Welcome to our "Founders Q&A" series where we connect with founders across all industries, delving into their entrepreneurial journeys and gaining insights on the inception, growth, and future vision of their startups. Today, we're excited to share a conversation with Maurice Perry II, the ambitious founder of the lifestyle brand, Cut Ties.

Q: Can you tell us about your personal background and how it led you to founding your startup?

A: I studied economics at NC A&T State University. I always had an interest in fashion and business, but was looking for an entrepreneurial outlet while in college.

Q: What problem does your startup solve and how did you identify it?

A: I wanted to make a lifestyle brand with a strong emphasis on clothing. When looking at the clothing industry clothing brands can have a hard time intersecting into different spaces outside of clothing, due to consumer scrutiny. Lifestyle brands sometimes lack cohesiveness and continued quality when creating products so they seek collaborations.

Cut Ties is the bridge between high quality clothing and lifestyle. We can never fit in a box, but make sure that all the boxes are checked.

Q: How did the idea of your startup first come about?

A: Cut Ties’ name was born from pain. I went through an experience with family where my genuine heart was taken for granted. The time and nature of the events caused tremendous pain internally. Deciding to turn my anger into art I started working on a way to express my pain artistically. The end result was the name CUT TIES.

The name stuck and the idea to form a lifestyle brand took off from there.

Q: What is your startup's mission and how does it drive your daily operations?

A: Our mission is “Never Stop Never Settle”. The circumstances of life sometimes has the tendency to be a lot, but our mission drives us to continue through. As a startup seeking more traction and growth this mission statement forces us to continue through all of our newfound circumstances.

Q: Can you share the story of how you gathered your founding team?

A: Cut Ties started off as clothing line with a sister company called Loner which would operate as a podcast. The founder of loner had to redirect his focus as he crossed Kappa Alpha Psi. Cut Ties during this period launched without loner, and I have been the sole employee ever since.

Q: How did you go about securing initial funding for your startup?

A: Initial funding came from summer jobs and family support. Our first collection was preorder and helped with funding as well.

Q: What were some major obstacles faced during the early stages of your startup, and how did you overcome them?

A: Having no creative background or technical learning with artistic software the first few years were spent learning photoshop and Illustrator. Understanding clothing, developing an identity, and working on the business aspect were some of the early struggles.

A lot of the early learnings just required sweat equity. Taking time to learn things and continue to compound on my knowledge helped. Talking to other business owners about the behind the scene aspects and pushing to find more productive ways to speed up processes are a continued work in progress. The knowledge gained has been rewarding.

Q: Can you tell us about a time you failed and what you learned from it?

A: After my first big clothing drop in 2019, I reinvested my profits into the business. It felt good to know that Cut Ties was one step closer to being self sustained. I used a local screen printer that a family friend knew. He totally misunderstood my vision and the quality of the shirts made them unsellable. Half of the profits from the first drop were gone.

I learned from those early moments being precise about everything is needed. Always verify never trust in business. You have to take risk in everything, but be calculated and trust your gut.

Q: How does your startup stand out from competitors in your industry?

A: Very few brands tell stories. We focus on giving our products a life of their own. It means more when you put on a t-shirt that represents something deeper than the graphic.

We focus on breaking away from the norm. Jumping into different boxes while so many brands are in a one size fits all box.

Q: What has been the most rewarding part of being a founder so far?

A: Being able to see people have a sense of loyalty and respect about Cut Ties. Being in business since 2019, the love would of faded away if it was fake by now. People gravitate to Cut Ties because it is something that never fades. It is rewarding to see the evolution and growth of the brand every day.

Q: Can you describe a typical day in your life as a founder?

A: I currently work a 9-5 corporate job so after 5, the hustle begins. Sending mockups and Illustrator files to our manufacturer. Take thoughts on new drops from my head to my iPad. Constantly innovating as I learn to speed up processes to reduce the time in between each drop.

Q: How do you stay motivated during challenging times?

A: I remember where I am from (Plymouth, NC). I think of the times where I thought I would never get out of some of the holes I was in. When you realize you are far removed from those realities you have to keep going. As respect to your previous self for getting you here.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you received?

A: My dad told me, "life is like a train. You can get off at a stop and feel sorry for yourself, but the train never stops. The longer you sit around the harder it is to catch that train?

Q: How do you manage work-life balance, especially during intense periods of work?

A: I wish I had a better answer for this. I just go as hard as possible for as long as possible. I can sleep when the work is done.

Q: What strategies have you found effective for managing your team remotely?

A: Zoom and Facetime calls work great during collaborations. Google sheets for collaborating. Communication about transparency in what can and can not be done is so important.

Q: How has your leadership style evolved as your startup has grown?

A: I used to be the one man band. I would do anything and everything. As I have grown I have realized the growth in delegation of task. I take the role of the director. Focusing on the small details as a leader is something that I take pride in.

Q: What does success look like for your startup, and how do you measure it?

A: Success to me only exists when you decide to quit. If I were to wrap it up I can look back and say wow look at what we did. I can never measure it because each day the goal for Cut Ties is to top the previous goal. The motto Never Stop Never Settle does not allow for a measurable success.

Q: How do you encourage a culture of innovation within your team?

A: As a startup, there is no control over changes. If something does not work, throw it out. Can we do merchandise photos faster this way? If so, do it. I am always open to suggestions when they are not cop outs for quality.

Q: Could you share any pivots your startup had to make and the reasons behind it?

A: We started off doing custom colors and sizes. Growth just would not allow it. We order most things before we drop. The customer gets the merchandise quicker.

Q: What is one thing you wish you knew before starting your business?

A: The amount of work needed to run a business.

Q: Can you discuss a time where customer feedback directly influenced a decision or direction for your startup?

A: Someone once said we should do odd products similar to the supreme brick. While I did not fully agree with their opinion. I realized that non clothing products are more visible than shirts and pants when not being worn. They also can be seen multiple times which helps when cementing a brand into a new consumers mind. So we started focusing on making more products for your life. The customer influenced us to become more of a lifestyle brand.

Q: How do you see your startup evolving in the next 5 years?

A: Cut Ties will be in small box retails and a few big box stores. We will have influence in multiple states, and will be pivoting to the overseas consumer.

Q: How have you adapted your startup to changes in the market, especially during crises?

A: Covid caused lag times when ordering items wholesale. We just shifted and adjusted. Hearing no means you are either on the brink of something new or the gate needs more work to open.

Q: What are the key qualities you look for when hiring new team members?

A: Work Ethic, you can teach people almost anything, but your work ethic and attitude are so internal.

Q: Can you share an instance where your team had to go above and beyond to deliver on a project?

A: Cut Ties had two vendor opportunities in a week which resulted in having to pull an all nighter with some help to get everything packaged and packed up for the events.

Q: How do you promote personal growth and learning among your employees?

A: Finding people who actually have a deep interest in the business helps. You run the risk of losing them to personal development, but there is beauty in others moving on.

Q: Can you tell us about a significant partnership or collaboration that has greatly benefited your startup?

A: Working with Adam Moore (model and digital creator @a.moore00 on ig) and KJ Jones (film director and photographer @its.kj on ig) on a project boosted Cut Ties tremendously. They are both working out of Charlotte.

We worked on Cut Ties’ winter drop. Crafting a photoshoot for our Gatekeeper jacket. Showcasing a reverse definition to gatekeeping by showcasing people who are opening the door for others.

Q: What advice would you give to someone considering starting their own business?

A: Just take the risk. Do the base work to build a foundation and then after that just take educated risk. Nobody has all the answers. What works for me may not work for you.