bleeder.

Basic Information

Business Name: bleeder. 
Website: N/A
Established: 2019

Questions answered by: Ryan Sanders

Social Media

About Them

Can you please fully explain your business or product line?

We are a clothing & art company based on older school influences such as tattoo parlours, cartoons, and graffiti, as well as lowbrow art styles. 

With the Winnipeg local maker community continuing to grow, what is the most important thing you’d like potential customers of your company to know?

Everything we do & make is centred around supporting local. We are from Winnipeg, our clothing is sourced & printed in Winnipeg, and we work primarily within local markets in order to fully support the Winnipeg maker community. 

What inspired you to start your business?

Actually, an old episode of Rocky & Bullwinkle. I had spent several years in design/art classes when I was in my teens & early twenties but ended up shelving it when it didn’t pan out into a career. One evening, I was watching old cartoons and saw something I really needed to reproduce…a small crow. Then, I just kept drawing, and eventually, that turned into an idea of making clothes!

What was the biggest struggle you’ve had to overcome?

Lack of buying power; it’s honestly difficult for all small makers to compete with larger buying power. We have limited access to funds, which results in higher costs for products that others can sell for a lower price.

What has been your biggest success as a maker?

Finally seeing our stuff being worn by someone we didn’t know out in public. What a feeling! It’s all great when your friends and family support you, but the first time I walked into a pub and saw a stranger wearing something we made? Unbelievable.

Do you have any advice that you would pass on to someone hoping to start up their own business or product line?

Find your demo. It’s been years of trial & error into markets and table fees that just didn’t pan out. Learn who likes your stuff and market to them. The growth will come!

Please share any upcoming events as well as the best place(s) for people to purchase your product!

We are currently overhauling our e-commerce platforms, so for now we have our Instagram for sales, but there will be a few smaller shops carrying our goods soon!

We also have a few pieces hanging at the Handsome Daughter right now and plan to hit the holiday markets hard! Stay Tuned and Be Excellent!