The Power of Partnering (POP) is a half-day event where women entrepreneurs, business leaders, corporations and procurement professionals come together to train, network and create matchmaker opportunities to help create and reach procurement and business goals.
Each agenda includes educational resources from thought leadership and subject matter experts and the opportunity to showcase your capabilities statements in a meet the buyer setting or matchmaker sessions.
Tia Robinson is CEO and Founder of Vertical on Demand. Vertical On-Demand was born out of a passion for revolutionizing the fashion industry. We envisioned a one-stop, subscription-based platform that simplifies fashion design, development, and production.
Our mission is to empower brands to build sustainable e-commerce businesses from design to shipping, all without minimum order requirements or wasted inventory. By eliminating these barriers, we make it possible for brands to focus on creativity and innovation while promoting environmental responsibility.
Tia is also a GWBC Perfect Pitch finalist.
Follow Vertical on Demand on Facebook and Instagram.
This transcript is machine transcribed by Sonix.
TRANSCRIPT
Intro: Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, it’s time for GWBC Radio’s Open For Business. Now, here’s your host.
Lee Kantor: Lee Kantor here, broadcasting live from GWBC Power of Partnering event at the Georgia Power Headquarters. I’m so excited to be talking to the first Perfect Pitch finalist, Tia Robinson with Vertical On-Demand. Welcome. So, tell us about Vertical On-Demand.
Tia Robinson: So, we are a smart and sustainable subscription-based apparel manufacturer that makes clothing on-demand here in Atlanta, Georgia.
Lee Kantor: And then, what’s your backstory? How’d you get involved in this line of work?
Tia Robinson: Yeah. So, I actually launched my very own line, Vertical Activewear, right before the pandemic, and had some difficulty with getting apparel manufactured due to a lot of manufacturers focusing on creating PPE materials and things of that sort. So, yeah, I was getting a lot of press and attention at that time, but couldn’t fulfill orders. And I said, never again will I allow my destiny to be placed in the hands of some other organization.
Lee Kantor: That’s right. Control what you could control.
Tia Robinson: Exactly. So, I brought my manufacturing in-house, and we’ve been manufacturing for our brand as well as others since then.
Lee Kantor: So, now you’re doing your own kind of design and own brand as well as doing the work for other manufacturers?
Tia Robinson: Correct. We have Vertical Activewear, which is one of our subsidiary brands that people can purchase product from at www.verticalactivewear.com. But Vertical On-Demand is our service-based portion of the business, where companies, emerging brands, corporations, even folks that are looking for sustainable apparel from a government contracting standpoint can visit us and learn more.
Lee Kantor: So, why was it important for you to become part of GWBC?
Tia Robinson: Well, definitely to be able to help us with our reach, with reaching, customers that are actually looking for our products and services.
Lee Kantor: So, has that been the case? Have you been able to kind of grow your business through these relationships?
Tia Robinson: It has. And I’ve gotten the most unique and great opportunities. We worked with MassMutual this year in terms of staffing, providing their staff at national conference with T-shirts and sweatshirts that they can wear at their booth. And they also sponsored us at their booth to be able to showcase our capabilities. So, we had quite a bit of folks come and ask about the connection between MassMutual and Vertical and why we were there, but it was great thought and conversation starters in terms of being able to talk about our services and what we can offer.
Lee Kantor: And you’re demonstrating it as you’re showing it.
Tia Robinson: Exactly.
Lee Kantor: It’s a double win.
Tia Robinson: Exactly. They’re like, “MassMutual and clothes? Wait a second.”
Lee Kantor: “I don’t get it.”
Tia Robinson: Yeah.
Lee Kantor: So, how do you kind of see the future? What’s on your roadmap?
Tia Robinson: Yeah, the future is bright. I really am working to revolutionize the sustainable apparel industry, starting here in Georgia, first and foremost. But I look at Vertical On-Demand as a company that has the ability to be national, with fulfillment centers throughout the U.S. Being able to help companies align with their ESG goals, reducing waste, both textile and financial, and doing on-demand manufacturing for other companies that are interested in offering that as a sustainable service.
Lee Kantor: So, what do you need more of? How can we help? Do you need more clients? More investors?
Tia Robinson: Do you have some money?
Lee Kantor: So, you need investors.
Tia Robinson: You know, as a business, being able to get funding is always a part of my job, first and foremost, but also getting customers into the queue. There’s a lot of waste financially when it comes to producing textiles and garments. Over $100 billion is lost each year due to merchandise not selling. And so, we have a solution to be able to help companies mitigate that by transferring some of their e-commerce sales over from actually buying product in bulk to manufacturing on-demand. And so, yeah, getting more customers and clients into the fold and making them believers as it relates to on-demand manufacturing is key.
Lee Kantor: So, if somebody wants to learn more, have a more substantive conversation with you or somebody on the team, what is the website? What’s the best way to connect?
Tia Robinson: The best way to connect is visit us at www.verticalondemand.com. You can also find us on LinkedIn. You can find me on LinkedIn at Tia Robinson, or you can email me directly at info@verticalondemand or tia@verticalactivewear.com.
Lee Kantor: Well, congratulations again on all the success. You’re doing important work and we appreciate you.
Tia Robinson: Thank you much.
Lee Kantor: All right. This is Lee Kantor, back in a few at GWBC Power of Partnering.
