• Who are you?

Claire Henderson, Founder, Dick Winters

• What does your business do?

Dick Winters is a luxury brand of men’s underwear, designed and manufactured in Scotland.

• Where are you based?

We’re currently based in the Glasgow Entrepreneurial Spark Hatchery.

We benefit hugely from not only the free office space and business support, but being around like-minded entrepreneurs - sharing knowledge and ideas.

• How did you get started?

I started the business working from home with a friend. We realized that there wasn’t anywhere to buy luxury boxer shorts on the high street that were made in the UK, and after a huge amount of extensive research we came up with Dick Winters. We chose to focus on providing our customers with a high quality, extremely comfortable and desirable product with some classic humour thrown in, hence the Dicks of Distinction range.

• What is your background?

Prior to founding Dick Winters, I was a qualified interior designer, and have made the transition from designing rooms to men’s underwear!

• What is your top tip?

Create your opportunities and don’t expect business to come to you.

• How long has your business been running?

We launched Dick Winters in December 2013

• Has anyone helped you get started and how?

We’ve benefited from being involved with Entrepreneurial Spark and winning at the Scottish Edge awards. This win helped give us early credibility with potential retailers and customers, alongside the financial award which allowed us to move our manufacturing from Manchester to Scotland in our first year.

• What was your first deal?

Securing an order with House of Fraser mid-2014 was our first break, following a successful Pop-Up event called ‘House of Fraser Presents’ in the flagship Glasgow store.

• Where do you plan your business to be in five years time?

In five years’ time we’d hope to become a well-known brand on the high street and play our part in growing our local textile industry, all the while creating more local jobs. We also plan to largely increase our exports worldwide, championing Scottish design and manufacturing.

• Useful contacts:

Entrepreneurial Spark, Glasgow - www.entrepreneurial-spark.com

• Contact Details:

claire@dickwinters.co.uk , www.dickwinters.co.uk