Small business that went from a living room to a storefront

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.- In 2014, Engineer Derrick Ramey Jr. started the “Dapperdude,” when he could not come across a bowtie in his selling price selection. So, he did what he generally did, engineered 1 himself. Now, the designer has his very own storefront in the coronary heart of Downtown Huntsville.

Since 2014, Ramey has expanded his organization to significantly much more than just his signature bowtie, “I’ve been accomplishing lapel pins, pocket squares, and I also do styling for various events, weddings. If you will need private styling, I do that as very well.”

Ramey has a passion for manner and it displays. Stylists from Hollywood have appear to him for styling pieces for their superstar shoppers, from the red carpets of Hollywood to the streets of Huntsville. People today can arrive into the retail outlet and pick up these just one-of-a-sort signature items and discover how to fashion them.

“It’s been basically rather wonderful, people occur in off the avenue, I can truly converse to people, do consultations ideal listed here in my true business, so it is been brilliant,” Ramey stated.

As a minority-owned company, Ramey is aware the impact he could have on the neighborhood and when it will come to inspiring some others. He is a husband and father of two so he starts off with inspiring his kids.

“I normally start out there, am I becoming a great part design for them. Can I inspire them and teach them how to improve, how to navigate this planet, I imagine which is the very first commence in me being a function model for my precise neighborhood,” Ramey claimed.

He focuses his skills and awareness on the youthful guys in the local community, “The youthful fellas, how to gown, how to experience confident in what they’re sporting, so which is commonly what I focus on when I believe about the local community, just type of supplying the children self-assurance.”

The pandemic built 2020 a difficult calendar year and Ramey says with the support of modest corporations in Downtown Huntsville he was in a position to stay open up and improve.

But, the pandemic aided him imagine past the bowtie.

“Providing baggage, offering sweatshirts, giving precise garments that people today can dress in every single day,” Ramey informed News 19, “We’re not out undertaking as many gatherings so I want to provide things that individuals can use each individual day or on their zoom calls.”

If you simply cannot make it to the retailer, you can store online right here. The storefront at 101 Clinton Ave East, is open from 12 pm-4 pm Wednesday through Friday. Dapperdude is open up for consultation appointments on Saturday and Sunday.