Today we’d like to introduce you to Angelica Melecio
Hi Angelica, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Our journey began in April 2019. Since childhood, I’ve been deeply passionate about the western rodeo industry, (jaripeos, the rodeos, the music, and especially the fashion. I’ve always loved wearing western apparel and supporting emerging western brands. But there were times when I couldn’t find exactly what I wanted, so I thought, “Why not create my own brand with a style that’s uniquely mine?” Over a Valentine’s Day dinner, I shared the idea with my wife, and she immediately agreed to join me on this wild adventure. We started with trucker hats and soon expanded into apparel, eventually offering so much more. Initially, we thought we’d only sell to family and close friends, never imagining how much we would grow.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, the journey hasn’t always been easy. One of our challenges was our lack of experience in fashion, design, and e-commerce. We went into this venture without knowing much, and making the right decisions was tough, especially since neither of us had a background in the industry. My wife and I never saw ourselves as entrepreneurs; we both had full-time jobs and had been with our companies for over 10 years at the time.
But the biggest challenge by far was the pandemic. In 2019, we were just starting to learn the basics of building a brand and a business. Just as we were gaining confidence and preparing for a full launch, COVID hit. As you know, the country shut down, which led to a hold in imports and trade. The cost of our products increased while supply decrease. It was incredibly hard to get hats, and prices tripled for us. That year was the hardest we’ve faced, with so many small businesses not making it through.
As you know, we’re big fans of Lost Calf Brand . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Lost Calf Brand, is a western apparel brand. We have a vision of blending tradition with innovation and being known internationally. Our dreams quickly turned into reality as we grew from at home online sales to being sold in retail/ wholesale locations nationwide! Our hats and apparel are designed with unique, trendsetting patterns and styles. We’re committed to staying ahead of industry trends, not following behind them & we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional quality. Our goal is not only to make a lasting impression in this timeless industry .
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Our brand’s name is inspired by a true story from my childhood.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lost-calf.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lost_calf_brand/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lostcalf/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lostcalfbrand?lang=en
