Today we’d like to introduce you to Terrance Eaddy.
Hi Terrance, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hello, my name is Terrance Eaddy I was born and raised in Detroit, MI and I’m a recent graduate of Bethune-Cookman University with a degree in International Studies. I like to say I was born into a life of entrepreneurship due to both of my parents being business owners; my father started a non-profit and now has a realty group focused on creating more homeowners in the city of Detroit. My mother opened a boutique offering trendy and unique clothing items to plus-sized women one of the first of its kind at the time. Fashion has always been one of my passions since I was younger, I would research the top designers at the time and look into designers from different countries to determine what trends could be the next big thing for United States fashion. I Began reselling sneakers and clothing in the 8th grade and quickly realized my hobby could create a more promising career if taken seriously.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road being a full-time entrepreneur while being a full-time student are two very difficult tasks to manage. Many times, I missed key business opportunities due to studying or educational obligations which made it hard to gain exposure in the beginning.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I started my first business in 2019 while sitting in my dorm room called the Debonaire Collective that started as a clothing resell boutique. I began doing vendor events and pop-up shops on the campus of Bethune-Cookman University while I was in undergrad. During my senior year, I made the decision to start designing clothes full time instead of reselling designer brands and that idea took off like a wildfire. I created one of my most popular items the suede trucker hat which sold out during BCU’s homecoming. Now I create seasonal clothing collections and recently secured a vendor agreement with my alma mater to create clothing exclusively for the campus bookstore. I’m proud of the success my brand has reached but I often think of ways I can help my community or those wanting to get into this field as I know for a beginner or someone with little knowledge of creating garments how challenging it can be. With that mission in mind, I founded a Fashion tech startup this year named Fashion Swap which aims to solve major issues within the industry. It features a multivendor marketplace similar to Amazon where brands can sell their items to a bigger audience. Secondly, we offer consultations for garment development with a 4-step process taking you from idea to sample garment in a matter of weeks and animation for metaverse fashion meaning designers can make their items into purchasable wearables in virtual worlds.
Any big plans?
My plans for the future right now are to grow both of my current businesses. I recently moved back home to Detroit, MI and while Debonaire is very popular in Florida I plan to increase marketing and brand presence in my hometown so that it can also grow in Detroit. I plan on having more in-person shopping opportunities for those interested in creating clothing brands.
Pricing:
- Marketplace Commission 3%
- Consultation Price: $50 an hour
- Animation Price: $200
- Debonaire Suede Trucker Hat $40
Contact Info:
- Email: info@debonairecollective.us
- Website: www.Debonairecollective.us
- Instagram: @DebonaireCollective @Fashionswap.io
