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In 1978, Paul Stankowski played his first round of golf withbrhis dad and brother on Easter Sunday. Eighteen years later, the professionalbrgolfer went on to achieve what he calls his greatest memory: winning the BellSouthbrClassic, his first PGA tour event, also on Easter Sunday.
In the past few years, Paul'sbrcareer has slowed down significantly. Hampered by injuries and with a desire tobrspend more time with his family, the Flower Mound resident sought a new venturebrthat was a bit less time-consuming yet still professionally fulfilling. Afterbrchatting with good friend Mike Vicary about partnering in his leather goodsbrbusiness, the two joined forces in 2013 to create Francis Edward (FrancisEdward.com). The upscalebraccessories brand specializes in men’s and women’s belts made of exotic skinsbrlike alligator, lizard, crocodile, shark and anaconda. Southlake Style recently caught up with Paul to get the low-down onbrhis leather luxuries.
Where did the name FrancisbrEdward come from?
My middle name is Francis, and Mike's middle name is Edward.
Where can customersbrfind the brand?
We are currently selling through high-end golf shops and atbrGrayson Allen, a jewelry store in Southlake. We will also take phone orders ifbra customer doesn't have access to our products. Prices range from $150 tobr$600+.
Where are yourbrproducts manufactured?
Everything is made right here in Texas.
Which belt styles arebrmost popular?
When we started, we really thought our bestsellers would bebrthe staples of black, brown and cognac. We quickly realized that our customersbrwant to be unique, so we do lots of different strap colors with contrastingbrstitch/edge colors. Black and brown belts are everywhere, but the Ocean Bluebralligator with white stich and edge color is very unique. It's been funbrwatching our customers get creative!
What has the feedbackbrbeen like since you launched Francis Edward?
I have been blown away with the response we have gotten sobrfar. One club in Denver sold nine belts within the first 24 hours afterbrreceiving their display box!
What is an averagebrday like for you?
I wake up, help my two kiddos get ready for school, dropbrthem off, then drive 23 miles to the office with all of my friends (FrancisbrEdward headquarters is in Plano). I head back home at about 5 p.m. The day isbrfilled with emails and collaboration and helping to handle whatever needs to bebrdone. Thankfully, we have a good team that takes care of a lot of the details.
What's your advice tobrsomeone who wants to start a business?
Ask lots of questions to people who have started businessesbrbefore and have been successful. I knew very little in regards to taxes andbrbilling and just how expensive it really is to get a business off the ground.brIf I knew beforehand, I probably wouldn't have hung up my spikes! Only slightlybrjoking.