Meet Tia Hobby | Entrepreneur & CEO of CLUTCH by Tia Dash

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tia Hobby and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tia, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am from Dover Delaware which is a really small city on the East Coast. I recently relocated to Houston Texas about two months ago. I graduated from
Salisbury University in Salisbury, Maryland with a bachelors degree in marketing.

While at Salisbury University I entered in numerous entrepreneurship competitions that set my business up for the success it has had today. My background in marketing in addition to working as an entrepreneurship consultant while in school have contributed to who I am today and what my business is today.

What should our readers know about your business?
CLUTCH by Tia Dash is an affordable, luxury handbag business which I established in August 2019. CLUTCH began as a handmade clutch purse business during the spring semester of my Sophomore year at Salisbury University. CLUTCH by Tia Dash was created with the intent to provide unique accessories for the everyday fashionista at affordable prices. I entered into my first Student Entrepreneurship Competition at Salisbury University in May of 2020, and was awarded $1,000 in grant money in which I used to get my business license and a manufacturer, in order to begin official expansion. With this money, I was also able to expand my product line into duffle bags, logo apparel and mini bags. After the release of all of these products I also had my first sold out release in a single day. I was able to turn my $1,000 competition winnings into $10,000 in profit. Due to my quick business growth, I felt that my business would do well in the Shore Hatchery Competition, also at Salisbury University and applied for my second entrepreneurship competition. I used the fact that I was able to turn my first competition winnings into ten times what I was rewarded to prove to the judges my handwork and determination for CLUTCH by Tia Dash. In this competition I was rewarded $10,000 and with my marketing capabilities, product expansion, limited releases and social media presence. These wins and sold out releases are definitely a few of my most proud moments as an entrepreneur.

One of the challenges that I project to continue facing while establishing my business in the worldwide market is surpassing indirect competitors who have claimed their market share years prior to establishing CLUTCH. My potential risks include the difficulty of convincing consumers that my cheaper product is just as “good”, if not better than high-end products and removing them from the luxury consumer market. I have continued to combat this issue by staying in my own lane. While luxury brands all have something that makes them one of one, mine will remain price and difference of appearance in styles, fabrics and colors.

As an entrepreneur my main goal within this company is to make a financial impact to the fashion world. Spreading the word that expensive does not always mean “the best”. True fashionistas make the most out of what they have and follow their own trends. With CLUTCH by Tia Dash I intend to establish one of the first brands that places emphasis on uniqueness, budgeting and establishing your own trends.

I believe the most important factor behind my personal success Is my ability to put myself out there. I have always been the type of person to humbly mention my successes when in conversation and my business being priority. I jump at opportunities to public speak and share my experiences with others. The most important factor behind my business success has definitely been the network I have built over time while putting myself out there. Networking is undeniably one of the most important parts of entrepreneurship. Because of the connections have made, I have mentors all around the United States that I can call on when I need someone with experience, a connection, advice or even words of wisdom.

The goal of CLUTCH is to become the first well-known and globally recognized purse/accessory market as far as price, fabric, quality, appearance and marketing technique. While purses are a common product and competitors are high, our prices are unbeatable for those who value design, uniqueness and standing out in a crowd over a well known label. CLUTCH purses are easy to use, carry, style with outfits, eye grabbing, and will hold all of your important daily needs. They can be worn on a date, to the movies, to a night out with your friends and then to the beach the next day. By limiting the amount of product and seasonal collections we intend to continue providing the rarity and one of a kind feel to customers that high-end luxury brands provide.

What I am most excited about is my upcoming duffle bag and speedy bag release this May.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I believe my favorite spots in the city so far are definitely KAMP, Taste Bar & Kitchen and Post HTX. Being new to this area I am always excited when I have time to go out and explore. Currently I have been to the Galleria, Seaside for brunch, Seismique museum, the Revolving Sushi Bar, Morton’s Steakhouse, The Turkey Leg Hut and a few other great spots. I have also participated in the Black Market Pop Up Shop.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to recognize my mother and father for the love and encouragement of becoming an entrepreneur and making me feel confident enough to pursue such a risky path. I would also like to shoutout my mentors along the way including Kathy Kiernan, Bill Burke, John Hickman, Dave Ryan and so many more helpful faces around the city of Salisbury. In addition, my professors and friends at Salisbury University. Lastly, my customer base that continues to expand.

Without those who have supported my brand I would not be where I am today.

Website: www.clutchbytiadash.com

Instagram: clutchbytiadash

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shantiyyah-hobby

Twitter: clutchbytiadash

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSQJI-mJBso

Image Credits
Davante Ellison – @sonovizion