&SONS April 2022

The Porsche Pioneer - Frank Cassidy

Our latest Pioneers feature had almost all of the &SONS HQ falling over themselves to be part of the production. The location was set in a 100-acre site in Oxford, converted into a Porsche enthusiast's haven. It holds some of the most beautiful examples of the iconic 911 and other models and is known as Boxengasse.

The Pioneer behind this venture is Frank Cassidy, a loyal customer of &SONS. He kindly gave us a tour of the venue and insight into his approach to life and, of course, his love for the Porsche brand. He's also a little obsessed with our Club Shirt.

You’ve been selected as a Pioneer for &SONS - What’s your definition of the word Pioneer?

Pioneer? It’s someone who’s paved the way, an authority in a particular industry, someone I can look up to. A person who’s been there before I have, someone who’s kind enough to share their learned experiences with me. My rule of thumb is to never be the cleverest guy the room… otherwise you’ll never learn and grow. Surround yourself with cleverer people and open your ears.

In your work, what values do you cherish the most?

Be early, always do as you say, pay your bills the moment you get them, never keep people waiting, never stop pushing. Everyone is busy and we all have the same 24 hours in a day. No one is too busy, they’re just disorganised…

Take your time, often enough in a 'work crisis’ we impose a deadline on ourselves to deal with it. If you haven’t got a deadline, take a step back, take your time. Often the best solutions are the ones you’ve taken your time to put together, not the instant reaction you’ve shot from the hip…

Here’s a mantra a man much cleverer than me once gave me, “You’re a slave of your words and a master of your silences.” Take your time, choose your words carefully.

They seem like very simple work values and that’s because they are. But it always amazes me how few people apply them.

Tell us a bit more about your creative process.

Like everyone I draw inspiration from everything around me. What’s around me is 60/70s rock, mid century design, photography, historic branding. My strongest belief is authenticity, everything I do, I believe in. So my creative process starts and ends with the things I love

What is your favourite piece from the &SONS Collection?

Probably the Club shirt. Once I find something I love I commit to it. Believe it or not, I have about 10 blue Club shirts… Just waiting for the summer to get them out.

Tell us your story. How did you begin your career and what led you here?

My story? I’m essentially a failed film director. I quickly realised there was simply no money in short films and the chances of 'making it' were very slender. So I turned my back on that idea and ended up in wholesale homeware and electronics. It’s my love of business, making deals that kept in a business I wouldn’t otherwise have chosen.

But my passion was always cars and very quickly anything classic Porsche. Through restoring and modifying my own 911s I met great industry professionals and fellow gear heads. That’s when Boxengasse slowly started to formulate in my head. A unifying place for all Porsche enthusiasts, industry professionals and the lifestyle around them.

Frank's love for authenticity and provenance is weaved into the Boxengasse site and the events they hold. This year we are proud to announce that we will be attending Megaphonics - a one-day event for Porsche enthusiasts held at Boxengasse. We will be showcasing our latest collection, so head to their website to order tickets.

https://www.boxengasse.com

What 3 words best describe you?

Don’t know. So I asked my Mrs, "perfectionist, passionate and relentless”.

What do you do for inspiration?

Drive. In that place, in that moment, doing that task that requires your absolute focus, I get clarity. It’s a reset button that then allows me the space to take a step back and see things from a wider perspective.

Who inspires you?

Norbert Singer, Robert Johnson, Edward Sexton, Gerald Genta and Ernest Hemingway. Not who they are, but what they did in their respective industries…

What brands inspire you?

Porsche, Leica, Rolling Stones, Jacque Marie Mage, Dege & Skinner and of course &Sons.

What is your wardrobe essential? The piece you couldn’t live without.

Heavyweight, durable denim.

What is your favourite album, artist or Spotify playlist?

Led Zeppelin 1

Any recommendation on the best podcast to listen to?

The Lazarus Heist on BBC sounds.

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