Meet Robert Pauley III: Owner & Head Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Robert Pauley III and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Robert, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my business because I couldn’t find a coat I was looking for. I searched for about two years before someone suggested I try to make one myself. At first I was hesitant because I was still working in Corporate America and didn’t want to spend the energy to learn. After some thought, I took their advice and got my first coat made. I came out great so I decided to make another one. I started wearing my coats and people started stopping me on the street to ask where I got the coat from. Eventually, people started asking me to do the same for them. That’s when I realized, not only did I fulfill a need for myself, I could fulfill a need for others. I knew I had a good idea and wanted to see where I could take it so I quit my job and started my business.

What should our readers know about your business?
WELTHĒ NYC is a lifestyle brand, specializing in Men’s custom suits, coats, shoes, accessories and skincare products. Our business is primarily run through social media and we have customers in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia. We’ve built our following (and customer base) by creating images and videos that educate, entertain and inspire. The business has been growing steadily over the last four years. It would have been a much tougher journey if I didn’t have the skills I acquired in my corporate career to manage the building. Our biggest challenge has been converting more of the following into customers. People mostly come to social media to be entertained–not to buy a $1,000 suit. We have now shifted more of our marketing to paid ads to target our ideal customers. Our brand is about bringing the image men have in their head about how they want to look and be perceived, to life. Our bodies come in all shapes and sizes and most time clothing from stores don’t give us the look we want. Having clothing custom made for you, makes you truly unique. People love to own things no one else has. We give you that. We also give you something that all people want, confidence.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I definitely would take them to Piedmont Park and spend some time enjoying the weather. I would also take them to Papadeaux Seafood Kitchen. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout goes out to Reuel Matthew, owner of Egami Collection. Reuel and I went to college together and while I was working in Hong Kong, he came to visit me. On that trip, we went to get some custom suits made and afterwards, he said he was going to start his own custom suit business. A few years later, I decided to start my own custom clothing business. Reuel was (and still is) an integral part of my journey. From sharing manufacturing contacts to being a sounding board for new ideas and advice on different client situations. Reuel runs his own successful custom clothing business but is always willing to help me out.

Website: welthenyc.com

Instagram: @theweltheguy

Twitter: @theweltheguy

Facebook: @theweltheguy

Youtube: @theweltheguy

Image Credits
Kyree Moore Photography