Business Reporter, BBC News
we need to talkThe founder of the online women’swear brand in style has said that he has “no regrets” about leaving the company two years ago.
In a comprehensive interview when we need to talk on podcast, Adam Frisby explained in 2013 about the rise and collapse of the company established in his bedroom.
The style listed in the London Stock Exchange in 2021 with a price of more than £ 100m.
However, it was removed after two years and an investor was sold for £ 1.2m. Earlier this year, it was sold again to avoid going into administration.
Mr. Frisby explained in detail about physical and mental tolls that the company’s problems said on him, he said that he got death threats and homophobic misuse. “
Despite the price of £ 105m, the style soon flew into problems after swimming in the stock market in style. “After the fashion businesses was less interest” after Kovid, and the war in Ukraine increased the cost of the company.
The company recorded a loss of £ 8.4m before leaving the stock market in 2023.
“The stock market included a lot of cost,” said Mr. Frisby. “We tried to do everything to keep it on the stock market, but there was no interest with the shareholders.”
‘The deepest phase of my life’
For the first time, Mr. Frisby spoke in detail about a long legal battle on the allegations in detail that he stole views in style from another businessman.
He received a legal letter shortly after the initial public offering of style. A luxurious back and forth, and a High Court hearing finally, at the same time the company was almost removed. Mr. Frisby won the matter.
He said that this was the “deepest period of my life”.
“I had to manage this rescue deal while appearing in the High Court … I was a shell of myself,” he said.
He said that he was also receiving death threats from style shareholders, who had lost money on selling the company, as well as homophobic misuse and online hatred from those who believed that they had stolen views for the company.
Additionally, was pulled into one in style Social media store When many affected people participated with the brand to promote their products, claimed that they were not paid.
‘I don’t regret’
After less than two years of being sold, the style was on the verge of insolvency in style. It was purchased by Alps Sourcing Limited in an east-pack deal.
Mr. Frisby announced in October 2024 that he would leave the company completely, leaving the post as the Chief Executive at the end of 2023.
He said that the tension of that period was so serious that he told his partner at one point: “You don’t have to be here, you can find someone else.”
“I just thought, it’s not appropriate what I am doing to him.”
However, his partner is stuck by him and the couple A child expect Through surrogacy.
“It took me a long, long time to recover,” he said.
“I think [after] Therapy, and a lot of conversations later, I have no regrets for what I was done. ,
