While many find themselves uncertain about their post-high school plans, this doesn’t apply to one ambitious entrepreneur who is forging her own path to success through the art of crocheting. Dejané Cade expresses her aspiration to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals in third-world countries with every carefully crafted loop.
Cade shares that her creative process begins with an idea in her mind, which she then transforms into tangible clothing using her tools. This skill, which she has grown to love, was passed down to her by her mother during her upbringing.
Cade reflects on her mother’s influence, stating, “She taught me a pastime of hers that she learned and taught herself as a little girl, back in a small country off the coast of West Africa, called Liberia.” Together, mother and daughter engaged in crafting various items, ranging from blankets to baby clothes.
However, Cade’s passion for crochet took a new direction when she realized she wanted to expand the scope of her abilities. “I decided that I wanted to do something different than I don’t usually do,” she explained, channeling her love for crochet into the creation of dresses.
The creative process, according to Cade, commences with the careful selection of the right color. “Does the design give off something fierce? If it’s fierce, I want something bold. I want red,” she emphasizes. Despite the traditional perception of crochet being associated with a bygone era or something one’s grandmother would do, Cade challenges this stereotype, asserting that anyone can master the craft with dedicated effort.
Amid the pandemic, Cade seized the opportunity to attend virtual classes while concurrently developing her business. “While I was home, I had the opportunity to pour more into my business, to work on design, to work on different aspects that make a business successful,” she shares.
The turning point for her small business came when she decided to showcase her creations at prom. Reflecting on that moment, she notes, “When I wore this, it just meant a lot to me because it felt like I was carrying on my mother’s legacy.” The social media frenzy sparked by her brother’s recording that night led to an influx of orders.
Cade takes pride in her business, not just as a teenager but as a Black female. She acknowledges that her business experienced significant growth during the pandemic as people rallied to support small Black-owned enterprises. “I do this because it’s fun and I want to bring [a] new name to what we know as crochet,” she states.
Her vision extends beyond personal success; Cade aspires to give back to third-world countries. Drawing inspiration from her mother, who learned the craft in Liberia, Cade aims to teach children in Africa the power of crochet. Recognizing the poverty prevalent in Liberia, she hopes that by sharing her skills, children can utilize crochet to fulfill basic needs.
For those interested in learning more about her business, her website, https://www.angellovecrochetcompany.com/ provides additional information.
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