Meet Megan Blau.
Founder / Design Director of Blau Collections.
"I definitely think of myself as a young, and new, entrepreneur... What I’ve found essential is remaining both adaptable and focused. It allows me to meet the moment while keeping the big picture in mind and long term goals on track. "
Blau is a woman’s ready-to-wear collection created for modern women seeking timeless pieces made with integrity.
Q: What makes Cincinnati a great place to start a business?
A: Cincinnati has a lot to offer, and the community here is one of its strong suits. The Cincinnati market isn’t as saturated as some of the bigger cities so unique concepts really shine. If you have a good idea people are excited to support it.
Q: How did a grant from Main Street Ventures impact you and your business?
A: The grant enabled us to invest in technology to extend our size offerings. Because weight is distributed differently in different body sizes, we need to develop 2 grading scales to ensure garments best fit all bodies. We won’t do something unless we can do it right and we’re really excited because this has opened that door. The tech we’re investing in not only will enable us to extend our size range, but also remove inefficiencies from the workflow so we can reinvest time and money into steps we value like wear tests, training programs, and quality control to name a few.
Q: What does a typical day in your life look like?
A: Is there ever a typical day when you’re a new business? I always start with coffee and a short meditation or pilates. I maintain a computer block for the morning to address immediate needs, pin items to circle back to, and check-in with my schedule for the day. Blau just launched this year so the business is evolving every day. I’m often prepping samples or batches of product to drop off/pick up from our seamstress, attending meetings, organizing imagery, working through revisions from wear tests...the list goes on! The days fill up fast, but I always keep some space for creativity or inspiration even if it’s just 30 minutes. I’m very hands-on with the design process. Construction methods and finishings inform much of the design so the time I spend experimenting or researching is my favorite.
Q: What is a lesson you've learned that has shaped your work?
A: “Notice what you notice.” My former professor, Margie, always said this.
Q: What's next for Blau Collections?
A: We’re expanding our product from e-comm to physical spaces via pop-ups and boutiques. After the year of the pandemic, I’m most looking forward to the ability to connect in person again. You can follow @blau.collections or sign up for our mailing list to learn about our upcoming collections and events!
