Words by Lorel Scott, Co-Founder of StartupStarter

Featured: Talley & Twine | Invest on Republic

Randy Williams, an HBCU graduate and watch enthusiast, founded Talley & Twine to address the lack of diversity and inclusion in the watch industry. Williams noticed that people of color were significantly underrepresented in the watch industry and decided to take action.

Williams' love for watches began in his early childhood when his grandfather gifted him a watch that he cherished. Throughout his career, Williams collected watches as a hobby, but it wasn't until he began attending watch meetups that he realized the lack of diversity in the industry. Williams knew that he could make a difference by creating a luxury watch brand that was accessible and reflective of the diversity of his community.

Talley & Twine has been featured in notable publications such as The New York Times, Hypebeast, Ebony, and more, generating buzz around their distinctive design elements and recognizable brand. Williams' vision for Talley & Twine is to provide high-quality watches that are affordable and reflective of the diversity of their customers.

He is dedicated to giving back to his community and supporting other Black entrepreneurs. He believes that HBCUs play a critical role in providing opportunities for Black students to excel in their careers and is committed to creating a pipeline of talent for Talley & Twine through partnerships with HBCUs.

Featured: Randy Williams

A unique approach to creating a brand built for community first has resulted in significant growth, with $2.5M+ sales in 2021 and 100% YoY revenue growth. The company's watches are crafted from 316L surgical-grade stainless steel, ensuring durability and longevity. The distinctive design elements, such as the eye-catching rose gold face and the large face that is sure to be noticed, make Talley & Twine watches easily recognizable.

Talley & Twine has a loyal customer community with a 43% repeat customer rate, and enthusiastic reviews from satisfied customers. The company's business model is based on direct-to-consumer sales, which has experienced significant growth in recent years. Talley & Twine's vision is to grow towards $10M+ revenue by 2025.

To fund their growth opportunities, Talley & Twine is currently raising capital on the equity crowdfunding platform Republic. The company plans to use the funds to invest in marketing and advertising, new hires, celebrity partnerships, and NFTs.

Randy Williams continues to address the lack of diversity and inclusion in the watch industry. His unique approach to creating a brand built for community first has resulted in significant growth and recognition in the industry. With their vision for growth and commitment to supporting HBCUs, Talley & Twine is poised to make a significant impact in the luxury watch market.

Find out more about Randy Williams by visiting his LinkedIn profile and visit www.talleyandtwine.com to find your next watch. Learn how you can invest in Talley & Twine by visiting their equity crowdfunding campaign on the Republic investment portal at www.republic.com/talley-and-twine.