In 2020, during quarantine, between episodes of Schitts Creek and Love is Blind, I couldn’t shake this urge to start a business. In the years leading up to that point I had developed the idea of Bards, now seemed like the perfect opportunity to give it all of my attention.

My original business plan was to open a lifestyle store and lean into, “Made in America”. I had vendors lined up, I had looked into space, I had everything, well except money. In 2019, I began pitching this idea to investors, by the end of that year every single one had said no. Three months later the world came to a screeching halt, and retail received a sucker punch to the gonads. Not opening that store was probably the best thing to happen to me.

As I sat there during quarantine, time felt so precious as I’m sure it did for most people. Gifted with a strong sense of my own mortality, I got to work. If some virus could kill me, my family and so many around the world, I wasn’t going to spend my time working for anyone else. I watched as America, both ate itself and worked hard to right the ship.

There was such a strong movement for support local and I knew this was the time. Sure, everyone was told to cancel every single plan on their schedule, including back yard BBQ’s, but that wasn’t going to stop me. Whatever time it took to for the world to bounce back, was just more time for me to build a presence and market.

2 years later Bards has won

Best New Business by West Hartford Chamber of Commerce

Best in Mens Clothing - Hartford Courant 2021

Best in Mens Clothing - Weha Mag 2022

Best in Mens Clothing - Hartford Courant 2022

There is no Bards without you, there is no success without you. Thank you all so much for your support, your patronage, your patience, and your love of storytelling. Cheers to many more!