Meet Chachi Prasad: Creative Director | Co-Founder

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

Hi Chachi, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I believe my success is the result of a number of different factors, all working in unison to play an integral part in my success. So many factors are engaged from authenticity, humility, consistency, accountability, passion and drive. Call me old school, but keeping your word is a simple and important factor. They don’t teach you this in school but it’s one of the most important components, which is easy to put into practice. I’ve always kept my word with my colleagues, and clients, which has helped me build my business and my Integrity. Integrity is crucial in the sense that it allows individuals to place trust in you and your business. There have been times I have recommended our competition or an alternate source to clients because we may have not been the best source for that project. I’m obligated to advise any client what’s best for their interest. The same Integrity should also be applied to your sources and not just your customers. Without this, you cannot succeed or allow anyone to trust in you or your business. Work ethic is so vital these days. I don’t mean just having a passion for what you do and that it’s not work if you have passion for it. Let’s face it work is sometimes work. You have to have a fair amount of value when it comes to work ethic. It means you do the work and put the time in and don’t expect to be a social media sensation, which equates you to being successful. There are too many individuals that I see and meet these days with zero work ethic, who feel entitled. It’s perfect storm for failure and disappointment, where you go through life searching for a different form of gratification. Marry the right partner! 

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
We. as owners have actual fashion backgrounds. Many companies these days have a social media star as the face of the company, while they hire young design talent to duplicate what’s in the market. We are true to our craft and slogan “made with hand and heart.” We sincerely care about what we make and we make sure that our customers are taken care of before anything else. We strive to provide the highest quality products with original designs that are built to last. We are extremely proud and honored with our Planting Change initiative that supports and brings recognition to Black chefs and farmers across the nation. The mask and apron features a custom illustration designed by Alexandra Bowman, the nationally published illustrator and woman of color celebrated for her artwork that sparks dialogue for social change and visibility for the underrepresented. 100% of face mask profits will benefit Soul Fire Farm, while every apron purchased provides five aprons to Black-owned restaurants in need nationwide through BCAGlobal. We have new collaborations coming up, and we are also expanding our line to include apparel, which can be worn in the kitchen or the streets. We have developed a proprietary fabric to utilize, and are extremely excited to get this out in the market. The company was built from zero by ourselves, with no outside funding or help. We were able to do this, because we had the proper knowledge, work ethic, and the perseverance to never give up. It was not easy at all, there were times when I wanted to walkway, not go in, and close up the shop. The thing that makes you keep going is the drive to succeed, and not give up on the business, because it’s an extension of you, like a child. So many lessons learned. Having patience is one of the main things I have learned. Not everyone will work at the same pace, not everyone is connected mentally at the hip, but those people are a necessity if you want to succeed. Everyone has a part in your success, no matter how minescule the task. It is important that you treat them equally. It’s from the failures and mistakes we are enlightened. The failures are sometimes costly and the good ones realize this and learn from the failures while others may keep making the same parallel mistakes for eons. I’m a creative entrepreneur at heart. If I see a problem, I want to create a solution. I launched a small tech company after seeing the problem with authenticity. Our denim line Bishop of Seventh was counterfeited by a large chains store in the US. Long story short, we were a small fish in a large ocean. A David and Goliath sort of parallel. We ended up taking them to court and they had to destroy every pair made, which was quite a lot. I worked with some engineers to develop a sensor to put on garments, aside from RFID. We developed a mini BLE sensors for the apparel industry. We are currently working with a denim company on launching this product, which is extremely exciting for me. I have also started adhering this technology to our BlueCut line and we are working on other items. It’s true that you will not sleep and your mind race at all hours of the night when you are thinking of ideas. You have to make sure you are able to turn down the candle once in a while or you will lose sight of the bigger picture.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Let’s pretend this post COVID! Bestia & Bavel in the Los Angeles Arts District – I am completely in awe of the food at Bestia and Bavel which are both owned by Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gervis, a husband and wife team. Their dishes make your tastebuds come alive and you get this tingling feeling inside. Holbox, rated by the late Jonathan Gold as #39 of the top 101 restaurants in Los Angeles, is outstanding Yucatan-style seafood. While others are getting their seafood from god knows where, Gilberto Centina Jr. is having his purveyors bring in fresh, branzino, kampahci, spiny lobster, black cod, Mexican shrimp, scallops, every two days from Baja Mexico. An explosion of flavors from the fresh ceviche, to the octopus tacos with squid ink for umami, is amazing. Death & Co. in the Arts District is low key and my kinda spot. There are no signs on the door. The perfect place to go with your friend and catch up while sipping on some aged whiskey.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m a product of my Mom and Dad, who were essential in pushing me to achieve what I needed to lay a path for success . My DNA for success is derived from my family but my external experiences have had much to do with my success as my internal. Tom Ford and Calvin Klein, were important and omnipotent figures which made me follow in their footsteps. I ended up working for Calvin in 2000, and shortly after met my wife Karam and launched our line Bishop of Seventh. Dave Dyaram, and Joe Russo taught at Ellen Tracy me valuable insight into manufacturing which you could never pick up from a text book or having a delegate position within a company. Designers are never taught these things and are always dependent on others in order to execute their vision. Gary Smith, at Oscar de La Renta taught me integrity in business and how to conduct business in other countries.

Website: bluecutaprons.com
Instagram: @bluecutla
Linkedin: Chachi Prasad
Twitter: @bluecutla
Facebook: @bluecutla

Image Credits
Katrina Frederick Alex Richardson