Meet Nelson Sanders of Dandy Detroit

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nelson Sanders.

Hi Nelson, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve worked in retail clothing since 2005. I spent a span of 10 years working at a handful of retailers inside of Somerset Collection. My custom clothing journey began in 2014 at another custom shop in the city. I started Dandy in 2019, and I’ve been hustling ever since. I’m born & raised in the city, and was heavily influenced by my surroundings, older gentleman who were around, especially my dad. As a kid a lot of what I was digesting culturally didn’t really start to come to life until I was becoming a young man. Once I had the means to by my own clothing a lot of the gems my dad dropped on me began to make sense to me. Ex. how to tie a tie, shine my shoes, where to buy a proper hat, etc. As a kid my youth was heavily sports related. Coming up in the city if you didn’t know how to hoop or play football I’m not sure what you were doing. I learned being a fairly shy kid as I got older I enjoyed expressing myself through how I dressed. In May of 2019 I launched Dandy in downtown Detroit within the Detroit is the New Black storefront which was at that time a couple doors down from San Morello. After a year 1/2 there I then moved to Corktown at Trumbull & Bagley where I operated for another 2 years. I’ve now been in Milwaukee Junction at the Design District Lofts for a year & 1/2. My journey has not been an easy one, but I genuinely love what I do. I will be opening my forever business home at 8100 Kerchavel in July.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Although there’s been some great small victories along the road, entrepreneurship is not for the weak. Wishing luxury retail the state of the economy sometimes plays a major role in the success of your business financially. With all the crazinest going on in the world right now some people are holding on to funds with the uncertainties of the future. But all in all I’ve been doing ok. I’ve learned way more on my own in business than I’ve ever learned in school. Not coming from money, or having easy access to capital has somewhat restricted some creative growth. With that being said I will say a bit of procrastination, ignorance has limited me from taking advantage of some grants, and other avenues to obtain capital that are available in the city. I’m also my only employee, with slow growth I’ve realized I need some help to continue to scale the business. Being married with kids, while running a business solo has it’s challenges.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Dandy is a custom clothing or made-to-measure clothing company. We specialize in MTM suits, shirts, tuxedos, and overcoats. In addition to those things we have hand selected ties, pocket squares, cuff links, socks, etc. All of our suits are fully canvassed, and finished by hand. We primarily offer some of the best Italian, and English fabrics around. Dandy’s house style has a southern Italian feel, with an English sensibility. Our approach to any garment being made will always have a basis of a timeless feel. We aren’t a suit shop whose goals are to pump out a bunch of navy, and grey suits. Although those are essential to a wardrobe a Dandy client enjoys the artistry, and journey of being led/collaborating with Nelson to create the perfect garment for that person’s life at that moment. We focus heavily on customer service, building real lasting relationships, and making sure our clients have well made, thoughtful garments that’ll last them a lifetime. We’d like to think people gravitate to Dandy because of all of those things mentioned. We’re also probably the only clothier in the city that’s actually ran by a born & raised African American man.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
There’s so many people who have contributed to Dandy’s success. Tons of friends, family, clients, strangers the list goes on. My wife has been by my side since way before Dandy became a real thing. Without her support 100% Dandy would not exist. My mom, and parents in law have helped tremendously in my personal life, as well as business. My close circle of friends rather they know it or not push, and challenge me on a daily, in addition to financially supporting the business. Obviously my clients, without them there’s no business. My return clients I truly look at as family. My dad RIP, was a huge inspiration to my style, charisma, mannerisms, street smarts, etc. I’d go as far as saying me simply growing up in Detroit, and the experiences I’ve grown through with just being a citizen here has tremendously helped mold me into a pretty well-rounded man who understands hustle.

Pricing:

• On average a 2pc suit ranges from $2000-2200

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dandydetroit.com
• Instagram: @dandy.detroit