🦥 #4 From School Project to Sustainable Success

Hey Antwerpreneurs! 🦥 

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Read time 4.5 minutes

Swinging Into Today:

• 🦥 Scoop of the Month: Life Paths by Tim Urban

• ✋ Antwerpreneur: Meet Jules Toebosch,

• 💎 Quiz Question: Fast Fashion Waste

• 🌴 Words of Wisdom: A Quote from Vivienne Westwood

🦥 Scoop of the Month 

I often think of this drawing Tim Urban posted on X in 2021.

At every moment in life, we face countless possibilities, with each choice leading to a unique path that we will experience only once.

Now, let’s introduce this month’s Antwerpreneur!

✋ Antwerpreneur: Meet Jules Toebosch

This time, we introduce you to Jules Toebosch, the 23-year-old founder and CEO of Collé Group.

Established in 2019, Collé Group specializes in sustainable fashion production, handling the entire process from design to delivery. This approach allows fashion brands to focus on growth and market expansion. Today, Collé Group has over 50 clients, based in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands, producing 100,000 pieces annually in the small villages surrounding Porto, Portugal. Impressively, 90% of their products are crafted from a blend of organic and recycled materials, contributing to a monthly revenue of €150,000.

A Humble Beginning

Collé Group’s story began as a simple school project. Jules, alongside a friend, purchased basic t-shirts from Zeeman and patches from Alibaba, combined them, and voilà, their first designs were born. After graduating, he made a bold decision to dropout of college to pursue his entrepreneurial dream. He saved money by working at a supermarket, which allowed him to launch Collé’s first collection via a supplier in Alibaba. The quality of his first batch was so bad that he had to fix them all himself. However, this initial struggle became the starting point for building Collé Group.

Determined to make a mark in sustainable fashion, Jules collaborated with universities to conduct research and publish articles on sustainability. His commitment caught the attention of a Portuguese producer, who had previously worked with luxury brands like Balenciaga and Hugo Boss. Even though their first collaboration didn’t work out—Jules was only making 50 pieces, while the Portuguese producer needed a minimum of 400—it led to a lasting partnership with Rosa, the Sales Manager. Rosa is now Collé’s Head of Production in Portugal and has been a key part of the brand’s success.

Portugal: The Secret Sauce

Portugal’s unique advantages make it an ideal location for sustainable fashion production. The country’s ability to import raw materials quickly, together with the high quality and lower costs of its goods, make it a strategic choice. Additionally, Portugal’s small-scale factories excel at producing limited-run collections, which is perfect for designers seeking exclusivity.

Finding and Keeping the Right Clients

For Jules, the ideal client is one with a long-term vision. Collé Group avoids clients interested in just one or two collections, instead focusing on building lasting partnerships. Many of their clients come to them after bad experiences with other production houses. Collé’s reputation for quality and reliability has grown largely through word of mouth, and their involvement as sponsors of Fashion Fever, a community connecting fashion leaders in Belgium, further enhances their visibility in the industry.

Overcoming Challenges: The Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship

Jules openly shares that there have been countless times where he thought it wouldn’t work. “It’s okay to fail; trying is what really matters,” he reflects. The early years were tough— Jules worked without a salary for the first two years and faced several moments where bankruptcy seemed imminent. Yet, each time, a new order would arrive, reigniting his determination. For him, “there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.”

In January of this year, Jules experienced a severe burnout. Recovering required taking time off, delegating responsibilities, and hiring additional staff.

The Future of Sustainable Fashion

Jules sees sustainable fashion as still in its early stages. While many consumers have yet to fully embrace sustainability, Collé continues to lead by example. They produce only what’s needed, minimize their carbon footprint, and constantly look for new ways to make fashion more sustainable. Attending events like Première Vision keeps them at the forefront of new materials and techniques.

Looking Ahead: Stabilizing and Scaling

Jules’s current focus is on stabilizing Collé Group after years of rapid growth and survival. The goal is to secure a fixed portfolio of clients that provide consistent income, supported by a stable team. Once this stability is achieved, Jules plans to scale the company further.

Success Stories: Arbor’s Growth with Collé

One of Collé’s most notable success stories is Arbor, a brand that started with an order of 500 pieces and has since grown to 5,000 pieces per collection. Jules believes that a successful brand requires a strong concept and a vision that extends beyond the initial collection.

Advice for Consumers: Build a Sustainable Wardrobe

Jules warns against the lure of fast fashion, which offers temporary happiness at the cost of long-term value. He advises consumers to invest in sustainable basics that last, and to mix them with unique pieces to create a wardrobe that transcends seasonal trends.

Advice for Aspiring Fashion Entrepreneurs

Entering the fashion industry is no easy feat. Jules advises aspiring entrepreneurs to identify gaps in the market and build a strong community around their brand. Social media is your best friend—use it to highlight what makes your product stand out, why people should choose your brand, and connect with your audience.

Jules's journey with Collé Group is a testament to perseverance, vision, and the impact of sustainable fashion. His story is an inspiration for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in the world of fashion. We’re excited to see where Jules and Collé Group go next!

Guest Question for Jules: What’s your biggest achievement up until now in your career? 

"Opening our own office in Antwerp was a huge milestone for me. I spent some years living in a basement that I rented for 200 euros a month, so having an office now feels like my biggest achievement. Thinking back on those times still gives me goosebumps."

Jules Recommendations

• People: Chris Choi, Alex Hormozi, Iman Gadzhi, Daniel Dalen, and Wim Haylen

• Books: Blue Ocean Strategy and From Zero to One

• Podcasts: The Marketing Club, The BOF, Business Wars by Wondery

• Favorite Spots in Antwerp: Roest, Cella, Le Steak ‘17

Connect with Jules

You can find Jules on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Jules's Question for Our Next Guest:

If you were given a second chance in life to start over. Would you do the same thing in life?

💎 Quiz Question

Approximately how many tons of clothing are discarded globally each year due to fast fashion?

A) 10 million tons

B) 50 million tons

C) 92 million tons

D) 150 million tons

_{You can find the answer at the end!}

🌴 Jungle Wisdom 

Pura Vida! 🦥 

Jose

P.S. Do you have an Antwerpreneur you'd like to see featured in a future issue? Reply to this email and let us know!

Answer: C) 92 million tons

“Of the 100 billion garments produced each year, 92 million tonnes end up in landfills. To put things in perspective, this means that the equivalent of a rubbish truck full of clothes ends up on landfill sites every second. If the trend continues, the number of fast fashion waste is expected to soar up to 134 million tonnes a year by the end of the decade.”

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