Hardware Podcasts

ECKO UNLTD and COMPLEX: Marc Ecko

How I Built This · 3 Jun 2024 · 1h 24m

What this episode covers

Marc Ecko, founder of ECKO UNLTD and COMPLEX, recounts how his background in airbrushing and hip-hop culture led to a streetwear brand that hit $100 million in sales before facing bankruptcy due to bad manufacturing deals and a trademark dispute with Echo Design Group. He explains how he pivoted to media by launching COMPLEX, a convergence culture magazine, which he later sold to BuzzFeed and then to a video shopping company for over $100 million. Ecko details the operational failures of ECKO UNLTD, including inventory bloat and legal battles, and how he rebuilt his career by focusing on digital media and brand licensing.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies and companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
COMPLEX, BuzzFeed, Vice
Products
ECKO UNLTD, Stussy, Fubu, Supreme, Timberland, Lacoste, Polo Ralph Lauren, Levi's, Nautica, GQ, The Source, Thrasher

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