University of Delaware alum Jordan Sack, Class of 2014, launched Tillinger, a clothing company focused on versatile polo shirts, this spring in New York City. He was the first University of Delaware student to graduate with a degree in entrepreneurship and technology innovation.

The idea came to him on one of many long commutes into the city for work. Driven by a love for golf and the desire to start a company, Sack “decided to use his education in entrepreneurship to start something.” He cites his time with Horn Entrepreneurship as critical in his decision to start his company saying “it helped break down that fear of starting a business.” He learned “how to start and validate your idea, how to get out there and talk to people.”

After spending all of 2016 studying the clothing industry and working with designers to perfect the shirt’s fit, Tillinger produced its first item in April 2017. Sack called it The Charlie after Charlie Horn, the UD alum whose gift in 2012 made Horn Entrepreneurship possible. Sack says, “He made a generous donation to start up the entrepreneurship program, and this shirt is dedicated to him.”

Tillinger’s attention to detail has paid off as a famous golf commentator, Geoff Shackelford, wore The Charlie on the air during the 2017 PGA Championship. So far Tillinger has done two small releases of 50 shirts that quickly sold out. On Aug. 22, Tillinger just launched its biggest production run yet with 250 new shirts. The products are available for sale now on shoptillinger.com.

Tricia Monnig, the academic adviser for entrepreneurship and technology innovation majors knew Sack as a student and said, “Jordan has been a trailblazer from early on his college career. He took a leap of faith by enrolling in newly offered entrepreneurship courses in hopes of obtaining a major in B.S. in entrepreneurship and technology innovation. Not only was he our first and only graduate in 2014, he also obtained a double major in marketing and a minor in interactive design. With the winning combination of hard work, passion and drive, Tillinger is sure to be a success.”

Follow Tillinger’s journey on Instagram (@tillingerbrand) to get future announcements straight from the source.

About the Horn Program in Entrepreneurship

The Horn Program in Entrepreneurship ignites imaginations and empowers world changers through educational offerings that emphasize experiential learning, evidence-based entrepreneurship and active engagement with entrepreneurs and other members of the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through participation in Horn Program offerings, students gain the knowledge, skills, personal capacities, experiences, connections and access to resources needed to successfully manifest innovation and thrive in the rapidly changing world.