Today we’d like to introduce you to Dee Taylor.
Hi Dee, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
It really started in May 2012 back home in Stamford, CT when I was helping my grandmother do daily activities. My grandmother had lung cancer and other health issues which prohibited her from getting out of bed on her own. At the time I was unemployed and a college dropout trying to figure out what was my next move.
During this time, I learned a lot and gained a new outlook on life. I got back into photography, painting, and fashion. I spent Monday – Friday with her from around 12:30pm until night time. We would watch tv, joke at silly stuff from shows and I would cook or she would order takeout for us. Her favorite was the cheeseburger combo from Atlantic Pizza. When she could she would give me $20 that she had saved for me out of her bible. I cherish those moments that we shared as she later passed on Thanksgiving of that year. After her passing, I looked at everything differently. I knew I had to make changes. I started my clothing line in which I printed everything myself. I got started with screen printing and eventually landed a print job for my brother’s landscaping job he was working at the time. From there I just kept creating and testing out different print methods. In 2017, I took the leap of faith and me and my now wife moved to Atlanta. I continued to work on my clothing line as I built my sourcing network. When the pandemic initially hit in 2020, everyone needed masks and wanted them customized. Swissport Cargo Services was one of the companies that I was able to supply with 250 logo masks for their employees. Soon after, more people started to contact me for custom merch for their brands, birthdays, and events. Which brings me to where I am today to have produced custom merch for dope clothing brands and various types of companies. My grandmother giving me a key to her apartment changed me. Hence why my company name is CLAVE CREA! It means Key Creates in Spanish.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a bumpy road. Nothing will ever be smooth when you’re chasing after something you love. Trial and error will occur but you can’t give up. You just take a step back and attack it a different way. Some of my struggles initially was funding and figuring out things on my own. I literally watched YouTube videos to learn new things in order to make certain products. I didn’t have a dual screen so it would be me pausing the video then doing it then unpausing the video to continue onto the next step. It somewhat taught me patience because when you get that final product you were going for it’s exhilarating!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
CLAVE CREA, LLC is a design company. There’s our printing services in which we offer custom merchandise and promotional items for events and companies. Then we have our new clothing brand Always Remember that is in the works. We are known for creating custom merchandise for any occasion and really having great turnaround times which is 2-5 business days depending on order details. We are most proud of seeing our customers face when they see their vision come to life! Our pricing, wide product selection, and timely production set us apart from others.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memories are the times my family took road trips to visit back home in CT after we moved to VA & SC.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.clave-crea.com
- Instagram: @CLAVECREA @AlwaysRememberBrand
Image Credits
All images taken by CLAVE CREA, LLC.
