Crafting Mongrel Boots with Phil Cloros - (Ep 1 of 2) Better Business Series
We're half way through the Better Business Series! Here is episode five with Phil Cloros from Mongrel Boots as our guest.
In this episode, we dive into Phil's journey with Mongrel Boots, a fifth-generation Australian shoe business founded in 1930. We explore how Phil, alongside his family members, has worked to maintain the family values and ethos while also bringing in non-family employees on their journey. Phil shares insights into navigating generational shifts and the importance of balancing craftsmanship with modernity.
The craft of boot-making is becoming less and less common. Phil discusses the challenges in finding skilled labour, how they've adapted to ensure the quality of their boots remains top-notch and how their branding has evolved.
This conversation provides insights into family businesses, the evolving landscape of manufacturing in Australia, and the dedication to producing Australian-made goods. Stay tuned for our next episode with Phil being released next week!
Here’s an excerpt from Phil talking about the family business:
“It’s a blessing and a curse. They say that family business is a life sentence. Different ages, different generations, different ideas, that’s the beauty of it in a way.
But realistically the main goal is to do what's best for the business. That's ultimately the end goal when I go to work every day.
Everything I do there I'm not doing it to try and better myself or my career, it's all for the business.
Our brand, our logo, the Mongrel logo of the dog, it's more or less a coat of arms for the family.
Although we love feedback good and bad, sometimes when you hear a negative thing or someone says the boots are no good, it really hits. It pulls heart strings and sort of hurts because it is our family's business. It is our name that’s on the line.
So everything we do, and not just me, the whole family, the idea is to benefit the business and the brand, move it forward and help our standing, whether it's in the market share or in the community.” - Phil
Images supplied by Phil Cloros.
Sponsor: The Better Business series is supported by the Farm Business Resilience Program through the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund and the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries.
