In this interview, we delve into the inspiring journey of Walden Lam, the co-founder of Unspun, a company on a mission to revolutionize the fashion industry through sustainable practices and innovative technology. Walden shares his story, from his early exposure to manufacturing in Hong Kong to the challenges of raising capital for a deep-tech venture in Silicon Valley. He discusses the initial years of Unspun, the complexities of operating a global supply chain, and his vision for the future. Walden also reflects on how his Asian heritage has influenced his entrepreneurial journey and offers valuable advice for young entrepreneurs.
HanYue: Tell us about how Unspun was started.
Walden: I grew up in Hong Kong, in a family that did manufacturing, so I always had exposure to that. I graduated undergrad during the financial crisis, which forced me to reconsider my career paths. My initial projects out of undergrad were climate-related, exposing me to the complex problems and the structured, yet often inflexible, approaches usually taken in strategy consulting.
HanYue: What were the first 2-3 years of Unspun like?
Walden: My journey to the GSB was fueled by hypotheses about consumer-facing ventures. Just weeks before graduation, I learned through a Design school blast about a co-founder opportunity that aimed to bring additive manufacturing (like 3D printing) to commercial applications. This meeting, where I saw a desktop mockup, changed the trajectory of my life. Every Silicon Valley VC then was really scared of “deep-tech” companies, it was a hard time raising capital for what we wanted to do.
HanYue: What was it like to operate a company that has operations on both coasts?
Walden: In the early years, Unspun resembled an R&D company, keeping our product development under wraps until late 2022. After going through a hardware accelerator and securing government grants, we spent our initial months in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, leveraging the good manufacturing ecosystem. Operating on both coasts highlighted the benefits of a global supply chain, essential for managing garment production still predominantly based in Asia, but processed globally.
HanYue: What is next for Unspun? What is your vision?
Walden: Our unwavering vision focuses on reducing emissions globally—a significant challenge given the industry’s varied estimates on emission impacts, ranging from 4-9%. Our goal is not just to be a standalone brand but to influence the industry by integrating lower-impact practices into their manufacturing practices. We’re starting with basic products and gradually expanding into more refined and performance-oriented categories, aiming to transform efficiency and cost into a platform beneficial for all.
HanYue: How has being Asian influenced your entrepreneurship journey?
Walden: Growing up in Hong Kong has shaped my approach to both life and business. It has fostered a curiosity and a desire to break out of local confines, driving me to pursue opportunities abroad. I always raise my hand when it comes to getting out of my own environment. Back in my consulting days, I volunteered for a project in Nigeria – my colleagues thought I was crazy.
But I always had the notion that there’s so much that happens outside your own bubble. This openness has been instrumental in building a company with a flexible, global perspective, partnering with brands and manufacturers across continents. With the company, we now have brand partners in the EU, manufacturing partners in Asia, and capital partners elsewhere. That opened up lots of opportunities. Our goal is to influence a global industry, we need that mindset and curiosity.
HanYue: It sounds like growing up in Hong Kong has given you open-mindedness and the courage that you are not afraid to deal with people and environments different from yours. That is VERY precious. What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs these days?
Walden: My advice for young entrepreneurs is to adopt a long-term perspective. Do not be afraid of having a contrarian view. We are really focused on building a cross-generational company that endures and transcends time.
Another piece is to think more like an architect of your own company, and less about your individual contribution, hopefully charting a course for the company that can sustain you, you don’t have to do everything all by yourself.
HanYue: That’s a really insightful take. Where can we find Unspun jeans now?
Walden: You can find more about us at unspun.io, where you can shop for our customized jeans online. We also launched a small collection at NY Fashion Week, which is still available.
As Unspun continues to push the boundaries of sustainable fashion, Walden Lam’s journey serves as a testament to the power of innovation and global collaboration. Keep an eye on Unspun as they strive to reshape the industry, one custom pair of jeans at a time.