How Well Do You Know Monkey Sox?
Read Time: 4 minutes.
James and I speak about our journey on the Good Business Talking podcast with Ravi Rai.
Small Business Saturday
This weekend is Small Business Saturday, a celebration of small businesses across the country. We are often asked how we operate, how big we are as a team and anything in-between. So it only seemed right to host a Q & A on some frequently asked questions for this weeks blog!
How big is the Monkey Sox team?
We get asked this a lot & my first answer is usually not correct... At a glance, Lianne & myself (Ethan) are responsible for day to day tasks. James is a working NHS doctor so joins our meetings & brainstorming sessions when he can. To his own admission he likes his "blue sky thinking" role and feeding new ideas in!
However, taking a step back, Monkey Sox is way more than a three person effort. From the team at the factory who give life to our designs; the lovely ladies at the warehouse who make sure every order is received as a gift & those who volunteer their time to help us with photoshoots, expo's & store reps - we would not be here without these great people.
We are always keen to meet people to join us on events, offer creative skills etc. Contact us to get involved!
How do you send your orders out?
For the first 3 years of Monkey Sox all orders were fulfilled from Lianne & James' home, their spare room was the stock room! They wrapped every order with a handwritten note and recruited the help of neighbours at peak times. When (little!) Ethan was born the daily trips to the postoffice with the buggy pulled high with parcels wasn't sustainable. We now share a small warehouse space where our brilliant team still handwrite our notes and wrap your orders in our famous orange boxes!
How is a pair of Monkey Sox designed?
Every pair of Monkey Sox starts as a pen & paper sketch at our office space in the Boathouse Design Studio. The favourite designs are then created digitally and transferred to computer specs to be sent to our factory in Portugal. The factory creates a few samples for testing & feedback, once all is confirmed, the order is placed and your socks are created.
Where are Monkey Sox sold?
We first launched online at www.monkeysox.org. The same (but very updated!) website you know of today. However, in the last 5 years, we must have visited 30+ events, from The London Marathon Expo, The National Running Show, to local 5 & 10k's sharing our story & selling socks. Not to forget our stockists which have grown with us over the years. They help us spread the word fair & wide! (If you know of somewhere or have a store yourself & would be interested in stocking Monkey Sox, please get in touch!)
Why are we called Monkey Sox?
In short Monkey Sox (MS) links to Multiple Sclerosis (MS). A direct acknowledge of our commitment to our cause. But also monkeys are a playful active animal, and we aim to encourage all to live an active lifestyle with our sports socks. Lastly, (true fact!) monkeys are James' favourite animal! In the first edition of our logo the orange streak on the hair of the monkey and blue eyes linked to James. After all, it was his diagnosis of MS that sparked the whole idea off....
