The T-Shirt Visionary: How Steven Borrelli Transformed Basic Apparel

The Forbes Books Podcast with Joe Pardavila

Innovators like Steve Jobs have a talent for seeing room for improvement in existing products. While computers, tablets, and phones already existed, Jobs took Apple to new heights by enhancing these devices. Similarly, Steven Borrelli tapped into this mindset when he set out to transform the basic t-shirt by founding the apparel company Cuts. In just seven years, Cuts has evolved from a t-shirt startup into a leading apparel brand under Borrelli’s leadership, selling over $250 million worth of products without any outside capital. So, what unique perspective empowered Borrelli to disrupt a ubiquitous clothing item like the t-shirt? How did he rapidly scale Cuts into an apparel powerhouse reminiscent of Steve Jobs’ Apple? Tune in to hear Joe Pardavila explore Steven Borrelli’s journey to becoming the “Steve Jobs of T-Shirts” and his relentless drive to transform mundane mainstays into exceptional staples.
About Steven Borrelli: Steven is a prominent figure in the fashion industry. He was born and raised in Wenatchee, Washington. Borrelli's vision, creativity, and relentless pursuit led to the founding of Cuts. The inception of Cuts traces back to Borrelli’s early career working at an advertising agency. His boss dismissed him from a meeting for wearing an athletic T-shirt that wasn’t “professional enough." It was then that he recognized a gap in the market: apparel that offers the comfort of workout clothes and the polished style of professional attire. He envisioned crafting the perfect T-shirt—a blend of exceptional quality and comfort to boost the wearer's confidence from the office to a night out. In just seven years, under Steven's leadership, Cuts has transformed from a T-shirt startup to a powerhouse full-line apparel brand, selling over $250M+ worth of products and becoming the Fastest Growing Athleisure Business in America. The company has achieved this phenomenal growth with $0 capital raised.