LSV: Tell me about yourself?
My name is Melvin Teah, a Liberian-American designer based in Baltimore, Maryland. I am the owner/CEO of Blue Cavalz. I am a Christian, family man, and a father who does his best to balance work and family. I speak both English and French and I am currently learning Spanish. I have always thought of myself as a problem solver. I am an optimist no matter the circumstances. I tend to approach problems from a solution prospective instead of dwelling on the problem itself. I am very thoughtful and result driven. I am and have always been a people’s person. It gives pleasure to see others succeed because for me, when one succeed we all succeed. Fashion was never my passion. I never envision myself as being a designer. Even till this day, it is hard to call myself a designer. I always wanted to do something within healthcare. After becoming a Dental Hygienist, I was on my way to dental school and suddenly everything changed. God had a different path for me. At the time I couldn’t understand why I was losing my love of becoming a dentist. I started to fall more in love with my creative side. Sometimes I like to say that I became a designer by accident. Just before my wedding, I searched the internet for a unique bowtie but couldn’t find any for my liking. With no clue of how to sew, I bought a sewing machine and began to teach myself to sew. I still remember how proud I was standing in the mirror 2 am in the morning trying to put on the bow tie I had completed minutes earlier.
LSV: What’s your brand about?
Blue Cavalz is a relatively new brand creating a balance between classic and street styles. It is about being unique, authentic, and creating a sense of confidence. Our designs are meant to make people feel better about themselves. From our bow ties and neckties to our Square V-neck t shirt designs, we have sought so create something that will make people happy when worn. Blue Cavalz distinguishes itself from other brands by being the first to create designs that is like none other. Our designs currently have a patent pending status. The blue in Blue Cavalz comes from the sky being blue, which reminds us of how-high we can soar. Cavalz on the other hand is a way of incorporating something from my country of birth (Liberia). It is about paying homage to the longest river in Liberia, the “Cavalla River”.
LSV: How long have you been in business?
We have been in business for about 3 years, but it wasn’t until last year (2018) that we really started to get out there and build our repetition.
LSV: What’s your goal?
My goal is to build Blue Cavalz into a global brand while creating designs that will help boost people’s self-esteem. One of my long term goals is to provide jobs for people in Liberia by creating a manufacturing plant there.
LSV: Do you plan to expand anytime soon maybe, Liberia?
Definitely, I plan to expand to Liberia. I can’t say for sure how soon, but I am currently in talks with individuals in Liberia about how to get our products there and how to setup the business there. To be honest, I am also a little weary about doing business in Liberia. Like many entrepreneurs in the diaspora, I have tried doing business in Liberia twice before and was burned.
Thank you for reading. You can get to know more about Melvin and his brand daily by following him on all of his social media.
Facebook: Blue Cavalz
Instagram: @blue_cavalz
Official Website: www.bluecavalz.com
Melvin’s Offical Facebook page: Melvin Teah
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