Sramana: I am a big believer in putting user-generated content on your site, because it captures a huge amount of organic search traffic that you do not have to pay for. What is your current traffic level, and how do you propose to grow your traffic and subsequent business? Jason Ross: We were acquired in
Sramana: What merchandise category is the most active for JackThreads? Jason Ross: There is activity across the board. We have been very successful with t-shirts, pants, denim, accessories and watches.
Sramana: How long did it take recoup your investment and become cash flow positive? Jason Ross: It took a couple of months once we received publicity from the blogs.
Sramana: In the beginning, did you have different merchandise for sale every day? Jason Ross: In the beginning we did sales three times a week, and we rotated the merchandise so each sale had something new. A couple of months later we had enough of an audience to move to sales five days a week.
Sramana: How did you finance that inventory? Jason Ross: I financed it from my savings, from the money I made on my first business, and debt. I never raised any money. Everything was bootstrapped.
Sramana: How did you go about launching the company? Jason Ross: It was a long and joyful journey. In January of 2006 I wrote the business plan despite having no fashion industry or e-commerce experience. I made a pact with myself that whatever barriers would come up would not stop me and that I would
Jason Ross founded JackThreads in Columbus, Ohio. Ross graduated from Ohio State in 2003 with a BSBA in finance. The idea for the July 2008 launch of JackThreads.com came from Ross’s interest in street wear and men’s contemporary fashion, plus his appreciation of a good deal. Ross saw the company as a more discreet way