Spill The Tea with Ms. Rabbit talks about surviving Covid-19 and giving back to vulnerable communities with entrepreneur Dave Pavelich.
What exactly is happening to our entrepreneurs during this worldwide pandemic. How are our local entrepreneurs were surviving during Covid-19. There’s no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic has added to small business challenges around the world. Throughout Canada we have seen so many large retail chains close their doors but what about small businesses? There is no blueprint on how to adapt to small businesses and entrepreneurs.
The Federal and Provincial Governments have provided some relief to small businesses. The Alberta Governments created The Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant which offers up to $5,000. The Federal Government offered a number of programs such as the Canada Emergency Business. The United Conservative Party is doing their best within reason to assist small and medium businesses. Entrepreneurs are essential to keeping our economy going in Alberta. They are the backbone of our economy.
Another hat that I wear in our province is being a high fashion makeup artist for commercial, fashion, and film. I’ve been involved in Albertas Fashion Community for nearly 15 years. This is why my first Q & A style of column with River Radio News will be about fashion, covid, and entrepreneurship. So, Let’s meet an essential Edmontonian Entrepreneurs surviving Covid-19 fashionably.
Dave Pavelich is the Creative Director of Conxeppt Clothing & Culture.
Q: Can you tell me more about who you are? Like what’s your drive? What makes you get up and say I wanna create a clothing line?
I have always had a passion for fashion and style, my mom wanted to be a designer, from interiour to clothing, growing up she inspired and taught how to create and make quality pieces without breaking the bank.
Throughout High school I worked and managed a clothing store in west Edmonton mall, this is where I learn the business, the sales, and what to look for when buying for retail. Afterward, I left the industry to pursue my business career and about a decade later, my burning desire to be in the fashion industry never let out.
Our goal at Conxeppt is to make people feel good in their own fit, through my years in the business I figured out that fit and fabric are most important, not your height, weight, or any other superficial statistic. We believe that you feel good when you look at yourself with confidence and that is what we strive to do, bring out the confidence in our clients.
Q: Pandemic Challenges: It’s been difficult for many businesses in Greater Edmonton. How are you doing? what challenges do you have in this pandemic? and can you tell me about your covid masks?
A: During the pandemic, we noticed that people didn’t want to go shopping with too many people around and that’s why we shifted to a By appointment system. The first few months were slow and we lost a lot of our wedding business, but in June it started coming back around again!
We’ve also created personalized custom face coverings (masks) as a complimentary gift with your suit or jacket order matching the interior of your suit or garment. People have many opinions about Masks but they are mandated and we believe in doing the right thing.
Q: Offering Advice to others : Can you share some advice to entrepreneurs or youth interested in becoming an entrepreneur.
A: It takes ten years to be an overnight success, always fail forward, never give up on yourself, your belief system is very important. Balancing self-doubt and a burning desire to succeed is not always easy, but when you keep moving forward, every little action you take propels you a bit closer to your goals and one day your preparation will meet an opportunity. Don’t forget to be grateful for what you have, one of my favorite quotes is. “I was upset I didn’t have shoes until a saw someone with no feet.”
Q: Why should people buy your products? And how can they buy your products?
A: Our goal is to create a life-long relationship with our clients, creating outfits for their graduation to the first day of their new career, from engagement to wedding. We create garments for life’s most mundane and life the most exciting moments. We create quality work, the difference is in the details, our craftspersonship and service is an experience from start to finish.
Currently, we are by appointment and you can book online at Conxeppt.com | find us on social media @Conxeppt or call us at 780.994.9402 – We hope to be launching our ready to wear collection in early 2021.
Q: Have you ever donated your time to low income families or dress for success for young men? Would you consider it?
A: Helping people achieve their goals is part of our why, I have been a Big Brother with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Edmonton and have seen first hand the struggle that some indigenous families are overcoming on a daily basis. This year I’m planning a winter jacket/suit run to donate to the Mustard Seed, if anyone is interested in donating with us, please contact me and I can come to pick it up.
- Biography www.DavePavelich.com
Chevi Rabbitt, Human Rights Advocate, Top 40 Under 40, Fashion Makeup Artist. – email rabbit@ualberta.ca
