Molly Crossin
Courtesy of Industry Standard.
Age || 31
Company Name || Industry Standard
Job Title || Owner
Years Living In New York || 14
Social Handles || @industrystandardny
Company Website || Industry Standard
What did you want to be while growing up?
I was a really curious child, so I wanted to be everything from a magazine editor to a surgeon. I was just fascinated by the possibilities. Even now I’m surprised when I learn about certain things, like that’s a job?
What’s the best piece of advice you were given when you were starting Industry Standard?
That running your own business is like parenthood. Everyone tells you how hard it is but you don’t really understand it until you actually do it. While I didn’t start Industry Standard (more on that later) this advice has been spot on.
How do you define success?
Success as an entrepreneur is a very elusive concept because your work is never done. But I feel successful when I see a woman wearing something I imagined looking confident and comfortable.
Courtesy of Industry Standard.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned since starting out?
Patience. I came from the advertising industry which is in effect, the ideas business. There was an intense pressure to ideate on a deadline, respond to emails ASAP etc. Physical manufacturing is just so different. There is a certain amount of immutable time that it takes to make something well.
What is your go-to motivational quote?
“If you can sustain your interest in what you’re doing you’re an extremely fortunate person.” - Milton Glaser. Milton was a graphic designer for nearly 70 years and his continual interest in his work and astonishment with the world is incredibly motivating to me.
What made you interested in starting Industry Standard ?
I was actually a customer of the brand and fell in love with their t-shirts. It was my ‘I finally found my favorite t-shirt and I never want to take it off’ moment. As a customer I learned more about the brand being female-founded and all the clothes being made in the U.S. and grew to respect the company even more. In 2019 the founder was looking to make a career switch and sent out a newsletter seeing if anyone was interested in purchasing the brand and despite not having the funds at the moment I responded. I raised money from friends and family and it’s been, well, a wild first year.
Do you have a personal motto?
“Always plan for the fact that no plan ever goes according to plan.” -Simon Sinek. This was my favorite motto even before I took over my company. Then, almost to the day of my one year anniversary of running Industry Standard COVID hit so it has never been more relevant.
Courtesy of Industry Standard.
Which women inspire you?
How long do you have? Stacey Abrams is a big inspiration to me. She ran an incredible gubernatorial campaign and, despite not winning, transformed that loss into founding organizations that fight voter suppression. She also has a successful career as a romance novelist under a pen name. She epitomizes resilience and the multi-dimensionality of female entrepreneurs that is often flattened in the PR narrative.
How do you overcome moments of self-doubt?
Self doubt and imposter syndrome are very real and very detrimental things for female entrepreneurs especially. When I have those moments, I try and re-frame it as “Would I say this to a close friend? Would they say this to me?” Our internal narrative can be incredibly harsh but thinking about seeing yourself through the eyes of someone that loves you softens it a bit.
How do you balance your schedule?
I think, like most people, schedules have gone totally out the window in quarantine. My focus is not working 24/7. Since we’re all at home I think that’s a really easy trap to fall into. So I make time to exercise, read non-business related books, and on Saturday my boyfriend and I have date night where we try to support a different restaurant in our neighborhood.
How do you handle situations where you feel overwhelmed?
When I’m feeling really stressed I stop working and go outside. I used to just try and push through (which I think a lot of people do), if you’re overwhelmed with work, work more right? But that cycle led me to being really burnt out. Now if I’m super stressed I’m lucky enough to be able to stop and go on a run or walk my dog. Getting fresh air, moving my body, and seeing the world outside my office helps to re-contextualize work.
What has been the most rewarding thing since starting out?
The generosity and kindness of our customers. When COVID hit New York in early March we launched our NYC tee to raise money for the NY Fund for Public Health’s epidemiological unit. The response to that initiative was overwhelming. I think a lot of folks were feeling helpless and this little T-shirt allowed them to support a small business while raising funds for a super hard hit city. In June we transitioned the donations to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. It’s been amazing to feel the support of our community while financially supporting organizations that are aligned with our values.
Courtesy of Industry Standard.
What advice would you give to other women trying to create their own business or brand?
I would say that entrepreneurship can take many forms. A lot of the stories we read about are an idea that solves a specific market gap, raises a ton of money and grows super quickly. That’s not the path for everyone. My journey of taking over the company from someone else is not traditional but just as entrepreneurial.
What is your creative process like?
It’s very collaborative. From my background in agencies I’m used to big brainstorming sessions. So when developing new products I always survey customers, friends, our IG community etc. Because if the product only works for me it's not going to be successful.
What are some of your goals moving forward for Industry Standard?
Things have definitely shifted as a result of COVID, but our long term goals are the same. A big one being to continue to deepen our environmental commitment. Since launch we’ve produced all our garments in the US, used organic textiles whenever possible, and recycled paper in our shipping mailers. In 2020 we launched a denim recycling program and by 2021 are working to eliminate plastic from our packaging altogether.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.