We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ivan Quezada Taveras a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ivan, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
Although effectiveness in my journey as an entrepreneur was not always linear or consistent, there are a few monumental and powerful pillars of faith that keep me motivated and on the path to success: God & Passion. One does not often come across Black Dominican entrepreneurs, especially in the fashion industry. Being able to have God alongside my endeavors as an entrepreneur while keeping the fiery passion of wanting to bring my values and ideals to the seemingly impregnable fashion industry certainly drives me to do better and reach farther. Indeed, every action becomes purposeful, every clothing article becomes symbolic, and every step forward becomes glorious. I believe that to be an exceptional designer and fashion artist one must have an unapologetically powerful form of expressing their ideas and their creations. Knowing that I am valuable in the eyes of God gives me the indifference of societal perception to propel my creativity and ignite my ideas. Moreover, I believe that the platform I am creating will inspire and empower many who share my experiences while also helping them pursue their passions and recognize their distinctive value.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am Ivan Quezada Taveras, a Black Dominican man who is also an entrepreneur and fashion designer. I focus on creating a brand that revolves around minimalism and versatility. My mission is to create clothing that is outfit-making or outfit-complimenting, that is, clothing that can generate outfits or at least help compliment outfits. I grew up in Harlem NYC, where I’ve learned that making outfits or complimenting outfits is not a difficult task or at least it should not have to be. Clothing from Ivy Dé Santi will help solve this dilemma by bringing the Harlem fashion mentality that being “fly” is all about creating a “calm fit”.
This upcoming Fall ’24, I am planning on launching a new collection that will not only bring glory to God but also achieve my mission of prioritizing minimalism and versatility for my customers.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
One of the most powerful concepts I came to understand is that I can not be great at everything that I do and that I certainly have weaknesses. Understanding what I could do and what I could not do while understanding where I held strengths and where I held weaknesses has helped me tremendously in my journey as an entrepreneur. After realizing these things, I was better able to plan, I was better able to allocate tasks and assignments, and I was also able to make practical and tangible goals for myself both in the short and medium term. It is critical to have a full understanding of your abilities and a full understanding of your inabilities because this understanding will add significant perspective to your decision-making.
Some other qualities of a great entrepreneur that I developed include adaptability and a growth mindset. Things change often and quickly, therefore being able to be adaptive and a quick learner can help to make sure you do not get caught in a static and unprogressive state. Similarly, having a growth mindset means being able to find a lesson or chance for growth in every situation and every endeavor, that way you do not regress.
Last but certainly not least would be consistency, faith, and inspiration. The fuel that keeps me on the road to success includes the faith, passion, and inspiration that I began this journey with. One needs to have as much faith in their current state as one had when one began because that will give you the power to be disciplined and consistent enough to get you further than yesterday so that one can see the glories of tomorrow.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful thing that my parents have done for me was bringing me from Santiago, Dominican Republic to Harlem NYC. This migration set the course for the creation and development of my identity and my passion as a God-Centered entrepreneur and fashion designer. Moreover, this migration allowed me to have the many experiences that came with being someone from Harlem and someone who knows how to artistically represent clothing. I am grateful that I was able to have these experiences and preparation as I forge my success and recognition in the fashion industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ivydesanti.com
- Instagram: ivydesanti
- Facebook: ivydesanti
- Twitter: ivydesanti
- Youtube: ivydesanti
- Other: Pinterest: ivydesanti
