From Classroom Project to budding local fashion icon: The Story of CheB

In the world of entrepreneurship, inspiration can strike at the most unexpected moments.

For Darian Duah, the founder of CheB (Chee-Bee), it happened one day while he was preparing for class.

What began as a simple course assignment evolved into a promising venture that aims to revolutionize the way we buy and sell from local sneakers stores as well as local fashion brands.

The Spark of an Idea

Darian’s journey started in September 2020 during his undergraduate studies, where he was tasked with creating a profitable business as part of a class project. At that time, the crypto market was booming, and Darian learned more about the space through a friend.

Darian recalls, “I was sitting in my dorm room, brainstorming ideas for the class project, when it hit me — what if I could combine my love for sneakers with the rising trend of cryptocurrency?”

This newfound knowledge, combined with his passion for sneakers, led to an innovative idea that was the first iteration of CheB: a crypto exchange platform that also allowed users to buy and sell sneakers, similar to StockX but with a cryptocurrency twist.

Darian pitched this concept to his class and received great responses. His proposed business fit his target market perfectly and most of the students could relate. But after the class ended, he put the idea on hold. While crypto continued to rise, Darian focused on other projects and his academic pursuits, including a 4+1 Finance program.

But, the idea of combining crypto and sneakers stayed with him, and he often received positive feedback whenever he mentioned it to others.

A New Partnership and a Fresh Start

Fast forward a year later, Darian had begun taking his MBA courses and decided to take on entrepreneurship again, just as an elective. During this class, students had the opportunity to collaborate on business ideas they found compelling.

One student, Ben Kuru, loved the concept and wanted to work on it. Ben came from a small family business background and also had a love for sneakers, which allowed them to mesh easily. He is now CheB’s director of marketing.

Ben’s interest in working with Darian, as well as being the only other student interested in developing CheB, reignited Darian’s passion for the project, leading to the creation of CheB LLC in April 2022.

The Origin of the Name CheB

Initially named CSL, Darian had to find a new name when he discovered it was already taken. After brainstorming, he chose CheB (short for ‘Cheap Buy’), reflecting the platform’s commitment to affordability.

As they developed CheB, they began to explore how they could help smaller sneaker stores and marginalized demographics enter the world of Web3. Darian was particularly motivated by the principles of Web3, where individuals have greater control over their finances.

He saw an opportunity to make cryptocurrency more accessible by combining it with the sneaker industry, drawing in those who might not typically be interested in crypto.

Identifying the Need

Through conversations with industry insiders, Darian identified a gap in the market when it came to the delays and high costs associated with big e-commerce platforms like StockX and GOAT. Authenticity issues were also a common problem.

By partnering with local sneaker stores, CheB ensures that customers receive authentic products more quickly and affordably.

Local stores benefit from this model as well. When a local reseller drops off a sneaker for authentication, the store not only gains a commission for the service but also has the chance to attract new customers. This model helps sustain local businesses and offers consumers a budget-friendly alternative to large e-commerce platforms.

Building the Platform and Expanding the Vision

After graduating with a Master’s in Finance, Darian balanced a corporate job with refining CheB. He participated in the ConnCORP x Quinnipiac University accelerator program, which provided valuable resources and guidance on business planning, target market understanding, and future resources, including a free commercial still in use today.

Right before this program, he met his UI designer, Tayina Solon, who turned Darian’s initial sketches from 2020 into a functional website and Figma prototype.

After participating in the ConnCORP accelerator program, CheB’s founder decided to take on another program because his sights were focused on greater heights. He joined the CTCollab accelerator program in New Haven, CT, which was meant to help business ideas turn into ventures.

In the end, CheB was part of two accelerator programs just in 2023 alone. With the support of these programs, CheB’s vision really took shape.

In Jan 2024, Darian also met his CTO, Aousaf Rashid, who has been instrumental in the development of the platform. The team’s internal growth allowed for a better execution plan to evolve the local fashion industry with crypto payments.

Incorporating Local Fashion

As the platform developed, the team understood that just selling sneakers was too much of a niche. They needed to figure out a way to stay true to the mission while also broadening their potential market.

After more thought, they decided to incorporate local fashion as a means of partnering and using AI to curate outfits from head-to-toe rather than just a form of reselling the clothing.

CheB’s mission extends beyond just selling sneakers. By incorporating local fashion and utilizing AI for curated outfits, CheB aims to revolutionize the fashion industry, making quality and affordability accessible to all.

By supporting local businesses, CheB is helping to strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life in the community. This is in line with the team’s goal of bridging the gap between Web2 and Web3 for new audiences.

Conclusion

CheB’s journey from a class project to a promising startup is a testament to the power of innovative thinking and perseverance. CheB is not just a platform; it’s a movement towards a more inclusive and innovative fashion industry.

As we continue to grow, we aim to become a beacon of local fashion, bridging the gap between traditional retail and the future of Web3 technology.