Exploring Life & Business with Terresa Zimmerman of Wood Underwear

Today we’d like to introduce you to Terresa Zimmerman.

Hi Terresa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi VoyageRaleigh – I’m Terresa Zimmerman, entrepreneur, author (now award-winning), advisor, mentor, and challenge seeker. I’ve always considered myself a citizen of the world but always wanted to be from that small town where everyone knows your name. My career progression takes on that look.

I started my career on the global stage and claim my “MBA” from lived world experience. Based around the globe, I worked with the world’s largest companies on their brand and strategy challenges at pivotal moments of change for them and in the world.

Going from big corporate to being, perhaps, the only female founder of a men’s underwear brand was a massive pivot and one that gave me a light-bulb moment: I love Main Street. Multi-generational store owners, new store founders, all people who give life and color to our small cities and towns. They make the world go round. That’s where I love spending my time and energy.

I advise founders, business owners, and teams. I’m perpetually training for one marathon or another and forever trying to improve my golf game. My husband, David, and I are always on the lookout for our next great adventure. And for the last 6 years, our family, including Aussies Whizkey and Tequila, proudly call Raleigh, North Carolina, home.

Find me on LinkedIn and at www.woodunderwear.com.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Life is never smooth. Wouldn’t that be boring? I also have an inclination to dive into things unknown, so my life is full of trials AND errors.

When I founded Wood Underwear, the best and the worst of it is that I had no idea what I was getting into. I had a steep learning curve to even know where to start. And I can say, I still learn something every day, even 10 years later. I think in founding a company, ignorance can be a good thing. There are so many reasons not to start a business. Not knowing all of them is good.

So, definitely a bumpy road. I don’t think anyone can say life or entrepreneurship is smooth, not all the time, maybe not even half the time. Moving and driving through diversity always means growth and learning. It can be very exciting. I am a student of my business every day. I try to learn as much as I can about each part of it so I can make good decisions and avoid some of the bumps. But I have made mistakes. Hiring is a big deal as a small business.

I’ve messed that up more than once. But I’ve also learned to correct quickly. Cash Flow for a small business is always a struggle. Knowing when and how to expand and extend ahead of your receipts is critical and there isn’t just one right answer. No magic wand no matter how much I wish there was. It’s a dynamic and fun journey, the life of the entrepreneur.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Wood Underwear is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year!

I started Wood Underwear 10 years ago in Hermosa Beach, CA – the only female founder of a men’s underwear brand. It’s been a great journey. With a name like Wood for men’s underwear, it’s been a journey full of puns.

We love our puns. It’s in the name, so that starts it all. Irreverent fun. Sexy. Premium. Fashion-forward. All of those attributes allow us a position to educate and show men they can and should think differently about their underwear and foundation pieces. Women will drag a whole wardrobe on a trip and if we don’t have the correct bra or foundation pieces, that wardrobe may never leave the suitcase and we’ll clearly have ‘nothing to wear’.

I don’t suggest men have that kind of need, but the right underwear with the right pant for the right occasion is important. It’s a wardrobing item that can influence how you feel about yourself and also the clothing you’ve invested in. I say this one thing a lot because everyone understands it – gym underwear and date night underwear ARE NOT the same underwear. True. A little thought goes a long way. And offering men choices and knowledge on what’s available to them means they can have better experiences and even some fun.

Wood is for men who care about what they wear and how they feel in their clothing. They are likely at least a little fashion-forward. Fit and active or forever aspiring to be. They have to be open to trying our product at least once, either buying it themselves or getting it as a gift. Then we know they’ll be back. We have a discerning consumer for certain.

Wood Underwear offers premium underwear, undershirts, and loungewear for men. It’s about a great fit, comfort, and also value. We’re on a mission to help men get the most of their wardrobes by starting with the best foundations layers of those wardrobes. We support causes that promote healthy and active lifestyles. And, we are proud partners with One Tree Planted – every order plants trees!

It’s our 10th Anniversary, so we’re going to be doing something fun each month to celebrate.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
As trying and difficult as the last couple of years have been, I do try to focus on the silver linings. I opened new sales channels and businesses. I wrote a book. I did a wine class virtually with my mother across the country. And more. Personally and professionally, I am convinced that staying constructive and productive and social, even distanced, as much as possible serves us well.

I have watched store owners pivot in ways to serve their clients and customers they never would have thought possible pre-Covid. They are innovating in service. Things like facetime shopping, curbside pickup, phone orders, reaching out to customers proactively instead of waiting for them to come into the store.

And so many of them, because of it, are thriving. And accordingly, with Wood, we’re also working hard to innovate service levels to help our stores. In all cases, it involves proactively engaging with people.

Contact Info:

• Email: terresa@woodunderwear
• Website: www.woodunderwear.com
• Instagram: @woodunderwear
• Facebook: woodunderwear
• Twitter: @woodunderwear
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Woodunderwear
• Other: www.ohlords.com