When Ross Worrall confided in his mother about his dream of launching a fashion brand, she didn’t just listen – she invested in him, both literally and figuratively. With a £5,000 loan from his mother Judith, Worrall, along with his business partner Scott Shashua, set out to turn his career aspirations into a reality.
“She took a huge risk on me,” said the 36-year-old Worrall, who grew up in the Ribble Valley in Lancashire. “She believed in me to make it work.”
That leap of faith from his mother marked the beginning of a remarkable journey. The Couture Club, which Worrall and Shashua founded in 2015, has since blossomed into a multi-million pound brand, beloved by customers around the world.
Starting with just one t-shirt design in three colours, the duo handled every aspect of the business themselves, from printing labels to packing orders and dealing with customer service. “It was very humble beginnings,” recalled Worrall, now a father of two.
Over the past decade, The Couture Club has expanded significantly, branching out into women’s and children’s wear, as well as a footwear line. The brand now has a headquarters in Manchester and employs more than 50 people, with four retail stores, including a flagship shop in the Trafford Centre.
The company’s clothing has been worn by the likes of influencer Molly-Mae Hague and FC Barcelona and Spain footballer Lamine Yamal, a testament to the brand’s growing popularity.
“It’s been 10 years and there have been really tough times in there and in the last three years there’s been some really great times,” said Worrall. “We’re grateful of all the mistakes and the overall journey we made as it’s shaped me into a better leader than I would have been if it had all been great all the way through.”
For Worrall, the support and belief of his mother have been invaluable throughout the company’s evolution. “It’s been a long the journey but my mum has always been the biggest cheerleader outside of my wife,” he said. “Entrepreneurship didn’t start with confidence, it started with my mum who believed first.”
Worrall’s advice to budding entrepreneurs is simple: “Everything you do around your business and your brand needs to be authentic to yourself.” It’s a lesson he’s learned firsthand, and one that has undoubtedly contributed to the success of The Couture Club.