Evgeniy Sokol, the founder of Sokol Workshop, has been in the business of costume creation for over 16 years. From leather shoes to cosplay and historical film costumes, Sokol Workshop brings the passion and craftsmanship that make each piece unique. In this talk, Evgeniy shares the journey of turning a hobby into an international business, expanding to the U.S. market.
Anna: Evgeniy, I’m so excited to have you here and learn about your journey. I know a few things about you and your company, but I’d love to get into the details — could you tell us what Sokol Workshop is all about?
Evgeniy: Well, currently we create theatrical costumes for film, theater and cosplay. We've been doing this for over 16 years. In the past years, practically all historical films shot in Russia used our products. We’ve made accessories for these films and collaborated closely with costume designers to bring their ideas to life. A couple of years ago we changed our focus to cosplayers — performers, festival participants and a diverse group of clients who are in need of the Witcher, Lagertha or Ragnar costumes. We also produce armor, footwear and operate our own sewing workshop. We have stores on Etsy and Shopify, which cater to the U.S. market.
Anna: How did you come up with the idea? The business originally started in Russia, right?
Evgeniy: Yes, we started in Russia. Initially, creating leather shoes was my afterwork hobby. Specifically, historical shoes, all handmade. Once, I got in touch with a costume designer, or rather, I got their contact information and just called, telling them I worked with leather. They asked me to come over and that’s how I met a designer who worked on the popular russian movie “The Viking”. We made several pieces of armor for that film. Later on, I returned to working on shoes and accessories, but eventually started getting more requests from other designers through word of mouth all over the world. And that’s how we built a network, working together ever since.
Anna: Sounds impressive, the way networking matters! And when did you start operating in the U.S. market? I understand the company was initially focused on Russia, but at some point, you expanded internationally. How did that happen?
Evgeniy: 8 years ago we entered the U.S. market by simply registering an account on Etsy. We saw an opportunity as the cosplay community began expanding rapidly. Once we confirmed our idea was working, we decided to formalize things by establishing a U.S. company with Konstantin's assistance, allowing us to continue our operations seamlessly.
Anna: Was it difficult to open a company in the USA?
Evgeniy: Honestly, the process was very smooth overall. There were a few rough spots — we had one or 1 rejections from banks initially, but Konstantin handled it all quickly. For us, it felt fast - we managed to get everything sorted in about 2 weeks, which was impressive considering our previous attempts.
Anna: It sounds like the process went quite well. I'm curious though—did you encounter any challenges once you began operating in the U.S? Maybe operational or even cultural differences?
Evgeniy: Honestly, we haven't faced many challenges. We’ve worked in this market for a while, so we know our clients very well. Apart from this, marketplaces are straightforward — we get orders, we fulfill them and there’s no real need for warming up the audience or anything like that. The only thing is the time difference, but we’ve managed that by answering emails in the evening and checking replies in the morning.
Anna: It's quite straightforward for foreigners to set up an LLC and start operating in the U.S. market. However, depending on the business type and niche, certain challenges may arise. Your case is an excellent example. How are you currently promoting your business in the U.S.? Are you focusing primarily on your Etsy and Shopify ratings or are you also leveraging social media for outreach?
Evgeniy: We run ads on Facebook and Instagram, so when users learn more about us, they simply visit our Shopify or Etsy stores to place an order.
Anna: Great info for everyone who thinks of a marketplace business. Are you handling the accounting and taxes with PTC as well?
Evgeniy: Exactly. We've entrusted everything to you — I don't manage any of it personally. My efforts to involve my own accountant didn't work out, so we completely depend on Konstantin's team and professionals on the local market. You handle everything, and you do an excellent job.
Anna: Happy to hear you're satisfied with PTC's services. What are your goals and long-term plans for the Sokol Workshop in the US market?
Evgeniy: Well,I’m planning to visit the country and start working on projects with studios and costume designers directly. We want to expand our B2B operations in the U.S.
Anna: There are some great opportunities out there. Despite the significant industry challenges this year, there's still a strong demand for professionals, particularly in your niche. And one more thing: basing on your experience, is there any advice you might give to those looking to start a business in the U.S.?
Evgeniy: First, make sure to register your company with trusted professionals like PTC. When it comes to marketplaces, depending on your niche, consider opening multiple stores—we have two, just in case one gets unexpectedly blocked. Having backups is essential. Regardless of your niche, strive to stand out from the competition. What makes us, Sokol Workshop,unique is that we treat our costumes as if they were made for a film. We age and process them the same way we would for movie productions. This post-processing gives our costumes a distinctive quality that few others achieve.
Anna: Thank you so much Evgeniy for sharing your journey, insights and the advice you've gathered along the way. It’s truly inspiring to hear how you've found success in such a specific space and iIt’s great to hear that our services have made the process easier for you. We always aim to provide a seamless experience for our clients and your success is a testament to that. We wish you all the best as you continue to grow and we're excited to see where your future endeavors take you!
