Being raised by a single mother, I witnessed her strive for the best for me and my siblings. Her dream was for me to become a banker but instead, I chose to become a fashion designer. Initially, she was a bit heartbroken because of the societal concept that a tailor is often less educated and is a profession meant for hopeless or jobless men. Irrespective of how the situation was and how much we struggled as a family, I took a chance at standing out as a fashion designer and it was the best decision I have ever made. BOA DI Custom Tailoring is a fashion company providing cut-to-fit outfits, with the vision of becoming one of the biggest fashion brands across the globe by promoting sustainable African fashion. I started the brand in 2018 after completing an HND in Fashion Design & Textiles at Accra Technical University (Ghana) to express my art, creativity and to give my customers an entire experience of wearing an outfit made out of long hours of dedication, creative process, detailed production and with a lot of love.
What were the biggest initial hurdles to building your business and how did you overcome them?
I had no capital to start with but my mother supported me by purchasing my first sewing machine. Even with that, I struggled to meet client orders at a point because I had only one sewing machine. I also battled a lot of societal pressure but I have always kept my head up high above the noise.
What books are you currently reading? And your recommendation for entrepreneurs to read?
“THE MAGIC OF THINKING”, a book by David J. Schwartz. This book changed my perception! It has motivated and guided me through my journey as an entrepreneur. With the right mindset, I believe everything is possible-that is one key lesson the book drew my attention to, and I think it's a must-read.
Did you ever deal with contention from your family and friends concerning your entrepreneurial pursuits?
How did you handle it? What would you do differently in hindsight?
My mother who is literally that one family pillar I have has always supported me from the very first moment even when she had doubts about me going into fashion; she was the one that bought me my first sewing machine. She is one person I am eternally grateful for.
What would you say was the single most influential factor in your business success?
I pay attention to details and I have invested time and resources in my craft which makes us stand out as a brand.
What do you know today that you wish you would have known when you first got started as an entrepreneur?
I wish I had known more about branding and marketing as I do now. Also, I wish I had known that eventually, things were going to work out at its own pace and there was no need to worry too much.
What advice would you give to an upcoming entrepreneur locally and internationally?
Please stay consistent with whatever it is that you're doing. Stay focused and maintain a positive attitude towards work. Above all, be present in this world and unleash all your potentials to make the world a better place. Lastly, never get complacent, its a long journey and there is a lot to learn.
