View All PostsCameron Silver
Decades: No Risk, No Reward
Cameron Silver explains his philosophy on spending money to make money.
Apr 3I founded Decades in 1997. When choosing our location at 8214 Melrose Ave in Los Angeles, the real estate agent representing the property owner said, "Don't rent this space... there have been so many failed businesses in a row." I nervously signed the lease. Now I co-own the entire building. When I invited Christos to invest $10,000 in an off-shoot of Decades to handle modern clothing in 1999 (then called Decadestwo), it was a wise gamble. Today, the unified Decades vintage and modern business now does several million dollars a year. You can't grow a business without taking some risks.
Retail is a lot like operating a hedge fund or playing the Wall Street game. One makes investments in "stock" and prays that you can sell said inventory at a profit... someday. Warren Buffett didn't become a billionaire by running Berkshire Hathaway strictly by the numbers. A great investor must be both strategic and a poker face gambler. If I had built Decades solely by following PNL statements, we would be out of business. Retail must be creative and sometimes you need to put some money out on the line. Fortunately, I am a good gauge of what is sellable, so while Christos is counting pennies, I am making us the Benjamins.
Cameron
Love the show , it is my fav. I want Cameron's baby he's so good looking and such a great business man. Billy needs to stop crying and learn from the vintage god cameron
Cameron Silver is a creative genius. We could all stand to take a page out of his (custom Hermes) handbook. Plus, he's so cute, how could you stay mad at that face!?
"You've got to risk it to get the biscuit." That's a phrase I normally love and live by. However, I think you're selling yourself short here, Cameron. You're obviously very talented and gifted at what you do - you've built a successful career on making the right decisions. That's no longer a "risk" - its an intuition that's worth it's weight in gold. You would think that after being in business for so long togrther, Christos would learn where his bread and butter come from. If only he would learn to trust you more, you two would be absolutely unstoppable.
Bravo Cameron - a great lesson to all who want to go into business for themselves! Love the show - clever & witty, informative with an edge and of course aesthetically inspiring every single minute! Love the show!!
Cam Love the "odd couple" report with Christos. You guys are a great match! Plus, you are adorable!!!
Not just another pretty face!! Cameron is quite a wise & savvy fashionista!!
You are a smart business man with a great eye Keep following your instincts
Good thing somebody is all about the Benjamins. I loved that Russian gal tonight.
Cameron is a huge inspiration to anyone in the industry who knows that taking a risk can often be a scary and lonely path. He's living proof that a winning career does not mean sacrificing integrity or sense of self. Xx
Cameron, Thanks for sharing this. You seem like such a natural, gifted entrepreneur. Hope the store, show and book are just the beginning. No doubt you will leave your mark in fashion history!
Love the show
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