By Meagan Sanders
Hottytoddy.com intern
Oxford’s own Teddy Mullins is a self-taught entrepreneur who’s sparking change in men’s fashion. His successful wooden bow ties are making waves by changing the standard of style in the community. He loves the people of Oxford who support his business just as much as he loves designing and producing his bow ties.
Mullins’ most popular and unique bow tie design. Photo courtesy of Teddy Mullins
Mullins began wearing bow ties years ago as a way to stand out in the crowd among traditional necktie wearers. His bow tie creations began as a hobby that he transformed into a business as a way to support himself financially. When starting, Mullins was eager to venture into open waters with his unique designs.
“The wooden bow tie came about when I saw a traditional necktie made from wood,” Mullins said. “I thought, ‘Why not try the same with bow ties?’ So, I did.”
His handiwork consists of both cloth and wooden bow ties, as well as other wooden crafts, such as clocks, coat racks, crosses, shadow boxes, and custom tables. Mullins dedicated his first year in business to perfecting his craft until he was happy with and proud of his designs. Now, he’s accustomed to the positive attention he receives.
“I used to get a lot of stares while out in public. And then if someone actually came up and complimented me, I’d take it off my neck and give it to them with the promise that they’d purchase one in the future,” Mullins said. “For the most part, people have held up their end of the deal. Plus, it was getting expensive to keep giving ties away.”
Mullins is highly recognized by customers for being creative and fiercely passionate about his business. He gives credit for his designs to God, saying that he can’t give an explanation for it other than that a higher power puts the ideas in his head and then he is able to emit the ideas onto the bow ties.
“I really can’t give any explanation for that. I just look at something and say, ‘Hey, let me put that on a bow tie.’” Mullins said. “My best sellers seem to be the wavy designs, what I call the polka dots, and the new argyles.”
With the support of friends, Mullins created one of his main sources of sales – his Instagram. The majority of his sales come from customers direct messaging him on this social media platform after they like what they see on his profile homepage.
Mullins’s customers admire his innovative and original creations. Singer-songwriter and Season 12 Bachelorette contestant, James McCoy Taylor, raved about Mullins’s work, even going as far as calling him the Louis Vuitton of the South.
“You know that great leather smell you get when you walk into a boot store? Imagine sweet mahogany right under your nose in the shape of a bow tie,” Taylor said. “He’s a genius and his work is one-of-a-kind.”
Mullins’s future plans include starting a website and finding retail stores in Oxford to support him by selling his products.
“As far as future clients and orders, if they can think of it then I hope they let me try it. If they’re not satisfied – no charge,” Mullins said. “All I’m asking for is a chance to do some good.”
Customers can find Mullins on Instagram at his handle “thebowtieteddy” or contact him by phone at 662-380-2069 for order inquiries.
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