“We make a lot of stuff here,” laughs Louis Hinnen when asked to describe his business, The Factory NYC. Co-founded by Louis and his art school friend Paul Outlaw, The Factory New York City is a design shop specializing in event production, photo sets, pop-up shops, custom props, and more.
The Factory NYC opened in 2013, and within a few years the business went from meager to exponential revenue growth and hasn't slowed down since. “Our biggest challenge was just beginning,” Louis says. The partners scraped together enough money to sign a multi-month lease and purchase basic equipment and supplies. And with the support of their families and a little bravery, they quit their regular day jobs and took the plunge. He quickly reinvested his profits back into the company and prospered.
“Capital investment is a big part of how we do things, and now we recognize the power of 3D printing and digital fabrication to make our jobs more efficient and better. ,” says Paul.
The co-founders point out that the internet is essential to achieving their day-to-day and long-term goals. “We use cloud-based storage and cloud-based transport for almost all of our activities,” Louis says. And due to the nature of their work in creating amazing and unique art, privacy has become an important part of their business. “All information we share with our clients and teams is kept in the strictest confidence. Cybersecurity is a key element in keeping everyone safe,” he says.
Having cybersecurity measures in place allows Louis and Paul and their team of artists to focus on what matters most to them. “We just want to make cool things,” Louis says. And with powerful technology at their fingertips, the team is expanding their business beyond the walls of their New York City hub to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Miami. “We like to think of ourselves as one of the best companies in the industry. To grow, we need to expand into other markets,” says Paul. “We are obsessed with growing our business.” With their creative drive and digital tools that allow them to engage with customers anywhere in the world, the possibilities are virtually endless. .
Securing Your Success is a series focused on small business success stories and the importance of connections in entrepreneurship, sponsored by Comcast Business. For more information, visit enterprise.com/comcastbusiness.
