Exploring Life & Business with Tai Beldock of Embassy London USA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tai Beldock. 

Hi Tai, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My husband and I have owned a motorcycle dealership, Erico Motorsports, for over 25 years. The dealership is located in an old 1930s Warehouse in the heart of what is now the RiNo Arts District. We sell European bikes, including Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Vespa, Piaggio, and the iconic British Brand, Triumph. Every year, since 2000, we have gone to London for our dealer conferences and a few years ago while in the UK, I happened upon an Embassy London shoe store. I immediately fell in love and returned for several. years after that to purchase shoes whenever I was in London on business. But in 2020, when the pandemic hit, I was unable to travel to London so I started purchasing my favorite shoes online. At the end of the year, I received an email from Embassy London thanking me for being their best US customer. I immediately emailed them back and asked why they didn’t sell my favorite shoes in the US, and their response, “Why don’t you become our US Distributor”. I spent several months after that learning the business and putting together a distributorship partnership. We launched the US website on October 2021 and opened the first US boutique in Denver, a week later. Currently, we use a fulfillment center located in Denver to process our online orders, which works really well. Because Denver is in the middle of the country, our shipping times to either coast are very efficient. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Honestly, the experience has been really positive. The corporate headquarters has been extremely easy to work with. If there is any point of stress, it’s the supply chain. Probably one of the biggest challenges is brand awareness. The brand is really well known in the UK, but not so much in the US. But we are working really hard on getting the word out with a combination of Google Ads, Social Media ads, and influencer marketing. Also, getting the shoes from Europe to the US has proven to have longer lead times that originally expected, but we are hopeful that will resolve itself as the pandemic eases. 

As you know, we’re big fans of Embassy London USA. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Embassy London USA sells handcrafted boots and shoes that are manufactured from the finest Italian leather and produced in small European factories. There are a few things that set us apart from other online shoe brands, we focus on both style and comfort. Our customers are always commenting on how comfortable our shoe are. In fact, our repeat business is very strong, so it must be true. We also pride ourselves on the unique nature of our designs that are a combination of leather, suede, patent leather, and leather imprinted with our signature mandala print. The shoes are so colorful and fun, that whenever you go in them, people always ask, “Where did you get those shoes”. The UK market also offers purses and belts, products that we hope to have available in the US starting mid-2022. When customers walk into the Denver boutique, they immediately know that we are shoe experts. We are very knowledgeable about size and fit. We take the time to talk to customers about which shoes might work with their wardrobes and or their personal and professional lives. We encourage people to try on several pairs to find what best suits their needs. It’s a true experience that is solely focused on shoes and customer satisfaction. 

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk-taking?
A few years ago, my husband and I decided to develop some old warehouses that we owned in Downtown Denver. Neither of us had any background in development but were determined to figure it out. There were definitely some stumbles along the way, but we don’t give us easily and enjoy thinking “outside the box”. We probably could have sold the buildings and moved on, but we both enjoy a challenge. The development is called “Octane Alley”. It encompasses retail, restaurant, and taproom tenants. We are proud that we were able to keep the integrity of our older buildings and bring a vibrant development to Downtown Denver. 

I think risk-taking is. a balance, between practicality and dreaming big. I go into projects wanting to slowly build something that brings me joy and fuels my passion…whether that be motorcycles, old buildings, or shoes. I pay attention to the numbers, but also recognize that growth is an investment that must be paid forward in order to be achieved. 

Pricing:

• Our shoes range from 180-325

Contact Info:

• Email: cheers@embassylondon.com
• Website: www.embassylondon.com
• Instagram: embassylondon_usa
• Facebook: EmbassylondonUSA
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UChuQslFsGB-AM-iy5oV4pLQ
• Other: Tik Tok EmbassyLondon_USA