Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Hale
Hi Jenna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hales Speed Shop was founded in 2000 by Nathan Hale in Lewisville, Texas. He is a private studio builder creating his masterpieces from the ground up one at a time. Hales Legendary Flannels started in 2019 when he and his close friend Colin Edwards decided they wanted grow the brand and start selling graphic t-shirts at local car shows. The t-shirts were just the start and soon after Hales began designing custom flannels from the ground up just like the hot rods. This is when Nathan’s wife, Jenna Hale left her teaching job after 15 years and came to the shop full time to lend a hand to the quickly growing flannel business.
Everything about Hales is done in house. Our flannels are unique due to the fact that Colin designed and researched the perfect fabric and fit. The attention to detail and quality is of the utmost importance to our brand. All of our plaid patterns are created on the computer at the shop using a special program and then sent to our manufacturers to create hand looms for approval. After a hand loom is approved then bulk production begins. All flannels have individual themes with coordinating artwork on the inner woven labels and includes hangtags that double as collectible stickers. Each flannel we create is limited edition meaning once they are sold out they are “gone for good”; we never duplicate or restock. Another unique piece of Hales Legendary Flannels is with each limited edition flannel we create an entire collection, with a coordinating hat, graphic t-shirt, vinyl banner, and sometimes a hoodie or beanie as well.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s definitely been a struggle! We did not go to business or fashion school for any piece of owning a clothing business, it was just a desire that we had and took one step at a time. The learning lessons, curve balls and hurdles have been vast, but we take each one head on. It has truly tested our patience and we have found ourselves asking if we wanted to continue a few times….but we are still here and going strong!
Here are 3 of our biggest challenges that quickly come to mind:
1. The website- starting our clothing business we did not have money to hire a website designer so we took about 3-4 months and taught ourselves how to build a website and all that goes with it; photos of products, inventory, SCU numbers, setting up proper shipping rates, how to package and ship the garments. We literally had to learn it ALL!
2. Simply finding a manufacturer that would allow us to make our own patterns and fabrics was a huge challenge! Most manufacturers want you to pick from a book of patterns and push you to use 100% cotton pre-made material to cut and sew the flannels together. They also want to use an “industry standard” sizing chart, which we found early on was not accurate for our customer base. We wanted to find a manufacturer that was willing to allow us to design every piece from the ground up! This took roughly a year of searching to find the right one.
3. Quality over quantity of the garments- We have very high expectations of the overall quality of our flannels and garments. We leaned early on that manufactures will take short cuts any chance given. We had issues with manufacturers not following our guidelines when bulk production of material was made and during the cut and sew process. We have learned that the only way to hold our manufacturer accountable for all our requirements is to hire a 3rd party inspection company. This 3rd party inspection company goes into the factory after the bulk production is complete to inspect the overall quality of the flannels and to see if the manufacturer followed our sizing chart correctly. We do this as many times as necessary until the finished goods receive a passing grade.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Hales Speed Shop is set apart from the rest because Nathan Hale is the sole builder at the shop staying focused on one hot rod build at a time until completion. Giving each build his full attention to detail and professional craftsmanship. He specializes in drivability! Many times within the custom car and truck scene builds are transported from show to show on a trailer. Nathan prides himself on building cars that are drivable and reliable, and can actually be driven across the country to various events, and this has been proven time and time again.
Hales Legendary Flannels is set apart from the rest because the patterns are all designed in house and not chosen from a book of pre-designed colors/patterns. Our flannels have become collectors pieces to many of our customers due to the limited edition aspect and individual themes each one has. Our flannels are high quality, durable and ready to be worn, washed and dried. During 2024 Hales was able to design two flannels that directly support two local non profit organizations within the DFW area; Hear my Cry Foundation and Pink Soles in Motion.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
We have been taking risks since day one here at Hales and we’re always ready for the next one!
Let’s start with Nathan and his hot rod builds. He started building his own custom trucks and cars when he was just 16 years old. When he was in his early 20’s he took the giant risk of starting to build for customers and developing a brand that will stand the test of time. He is constantly giving his heart and soul to each build he creates.
Then the risk with the clothing line… Colin quit his full time corporate job and threw all of his eggs into one basket and launched a clothing line off the brand that had been developed with the hot rod following Nathan had created. Over the past 6 years all three of us here at the shop have sold hot rods, spent our life entire savings and anything else that it took to keep the Hales Legendary Flannels brand alive. And let me just say, it was worth every risk taken, battle fought and penny spent to keep the brand going! Now for some exciting news for any entrepreneur looking to leap out in this crazy world and start their own business venture…
Our newest risk is our brand new retail shop! It is a 3500 square foot facility located at 751 S Mill Street in Old Town Lewisville. This will be our first time having a retail store front for local customers to walk in and try on our high quality flannels, hats, and graphic tees. We hope to open the doors to the public by January 1st, 2025. Stop by and say hello to Nathan, Colin and myself.
Pricing:
- Men’s & Women’s Flannels $59.95
- Men’s Short Sleeves $49.95
Contact Info:
- Website: https://halesspeedshop.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/halesspeedshopclothing/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/halesspeedshopclothing/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8mVL4MOc3ldqbNrlsMUfUQ
Image Credits
Alex Borsattino @ Jandroby Media
Carl Luepnitz @ Lugnuts.Guapo Media
