A Harvard study revealed that it only takes seven seconds to make a first impression, and 55% of that first impression is visual.

While a first impression isn’t everything, it’s better not to take the risk according to the three UBCO business students behind the online men's accessory retailer Remarked.

"Remarked is an online store for business students or any young professional where they can purchase men's accessories regardless of economic circumstances," explained Davis Yates, one of Remarked's three co-founders.

“We sell a variety of men’s accessories such as watches, wallets, pocket squares, ties, messenger bags, sunglasses and more.”

Photo Credit: Contributed.Nick Ross, Davis Yates and Luke Cooke co-founded Remarked in 2016.

The concept for Remarked was drawn up during Yates and fellow co-founders Luke Cooke, and Nick Ross’s time in UBCO’s business program.

“Nick Ross and I ran an organization called JDC West on campus and Luke and Nick run an organization called the Management Students Association on campus. So we had all worked together and all have strong ties,” explained Yates.

“We realized younger business students struggle with 'looking the part' and part of this struggle is because the stylish accessories that really pull an outfit together can be outrageously expensive for a student or young professional.”

Yates recalls wearing his Father's oversized suit to one his first Business school conferences and the difficulties of networking without the right appearance.

Since starting Remarked, the trio has not only been looking the part but seeing success on the business side as well.

Photo Credit: www.remarked.ca

“We’ve seen good sales numbers from the start, which is great and the fact that some sales are coming from the American market is exciting,” said Yates.

“But the biggest thing for us thus far has been the brand's ability to facilitate the networking and connection of the more remarkable students and young professionals in Canada.”

While Yates admits to not being the most fashionable person, he recognizes there is a strong distinction between fashion and style.

“I am not a very fashionable person, I will be the first person to admit that,” laughed Yates. “But even I can pull together an outfit with the proper look when you have stylish accessories.”

It’s not New York, but Kelowna is a relatively fashionable city and with an upstart tech scene, the Okanagan’s largest city has been an excellent place for starting a clothing website.

“Kelowna has been instrumental to our vision and early success,” said Yates. “I’ve had the opportunity to work at Club Penguin and learn the tech side of the business and the three of us really came together at UBCO."

As any young entrepreneur will tell you, balancing real life with work life is an everyday challenge but trio wouldn’t have it any other way.

“While being UBCO students has given us the opportunity to work together, it also provides its own unique challenges for young business men,” said Yates.

“Nick is currently at a computer programming boot camp in New York City and Luke will be studying abroad this school year, so effectively communicating every day is a big key to our success.”

Looking to up your style game? Click here to check out Remarked’s website.