CEO of Selina Beb Designs | Entrepreneur
My journey started after I moved back to Ghana in 2008 from the UK. I schooled and worked in the UK for 11 years, mainly because my parents wanted me to pursue a career in law. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy studying law and wasn’t interested in becoming a lawyer. I rather wanted to be a broadcast journalist so I gave up on becoming a lawyer and started working mostly in retail in England. After accumulating many years of experience from working in customer service for top UK retail brands/shops including Marks and Spencer, Habitat, Argos, The Perfume Shop and Boots the chemist, I decided to relocate to Ghana to pursue a career in the media.
Shortly after returning, I got trained at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) Training School in Broadcasting Techniques and was employed after that by GBC as a radio presenter on GBC's Uniiq fm. I presented two programmes there; 'Highlife is Alive' and 'From me to you.' While at GBC, I also attended a one-month course on Radio Broadcasting Techniques at China Radio and TV Company in Beijing, China. I moved to Radio XYZ in 2012 where I continued working as a radio presenter hosting talk shows and the mid-morning programme on the station till August, 2014 when I made the big decision to resign and concentrate on my new brand- Selina Beb.
My deep passion for fashion, especially accessories made me start my accessories brand - SELINA BEB in 2012. Selina Beb produces African print - accessories and clothes; and has become a household name known for its unique and quality designs. Although I had an ambition to get into law and media, little did I know I would end up in fashion but I am so proud of how far we've come as a brand to be selling all over the world including selling in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, U.K., Italy, Australia and the USA and more to even be recognized globally by being listed on Beyonce's "Black Parade" directory as an initiative to support black owned businesses worldwide.
What were the biggest initial hurdles and how did you overcome them?
When I started, I was selling these accessories from the back of my car. I didn't have a physical shop at the time but I was determined to make a business out of it. I had my struggles trying to convince people about my products because they were fairly new in the market. I did this for about 2 years until I opened my first shop in Osu and then thankfully in 2019, we moved to a bigger space and launched our clothing line as well.
Secondly, Selina Beb, started off as a passion. I wanted to sell Ghanaian made handbags and accessories because I love carrying them but I also knew that I wasn't well versed in the production process. While running the business for some years I realized that in order to excel at what I do, I needed to educate myself in the design and production aspect of the business. I took up a short course on bag making and designing in August-September 2015 at the prestigious Fashion School, Academy of Costume and Fashion in Rome, Italy. This has been one of the best decisions I made for the business to ensure that Selina Beb accessories are quality, unique and the finishing is top notch.
What books are you currently reading?
In the Meantime: Finding Yourself and the Love You Want by Iyanla Vanzant
What advice would you give to an upcoming youth or talents locally and internationally?
For upcoming youth or talents, my advice will be for them to educate themselves in whatever they want to do and have the patience to go through each process of learning. When I started Selina Beb 10 years ago, I barely knew much about the fashion industry. All I knew was being someone who loves to look fashionable and love accessories. Little did I know I could be making a living out of it but once I decided to run it as a business, I was always ready to learn and have taken up many training programmes in leadership and entrepreneurship all in an effort to improve myself and be better at what I do as an entrepreneur and creative director.
They should also be passionate about what they want to do and be consistent. Consistency pays.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: selinabeb
Twitter: selinabeb
Facebook: Selina Beb