Founded in 2012 by Angel, Ngyenzi and Janet, three friends who are passionate about fashion, the Ugandan fashion distribution and promotion platform is a reference in the world of ready-to-wear made on the African continent. One of their mottos is that entrepreneurs should not lose sight of the fact that their business is bigger than themselves. Such spirit helps to always remain in a dynamic of work, passion for the activity, and constant improvement of the business model. Angel Nkwaya agreed to answer our questions, about his business and the future of her business, following the global COVID-19 pandemic.

You started your venture 8 years ago in Kampala with your partners. What was the initial thought? And what are the company’s features today?

Our initial dream was much smaller than it is today. We were friends with a common interest in fashion, that decided to open a boutique where we used to buy and resell secondhand clothing.
Over the years, we started to identify gaps in the market and grew more conscious of our impact on our community, specifically (Bold) Women and African-made products.
We have also expanded our product offering. We started off by selling clothing and accessories, we have since added a home decor and kids line.

Can you tell us more about the name of the company?

It is an accurate description of the team behind the brand, the designers/artisans we have partnered with, and our clients – We are Bold Women that curate and sell Bold products that are Made in Africa.

How many designers do work with you? How many customers do you deal with and where are they located ?

40+ designers/artisans that collectively represent over 10 African countries.
Bold in Africa currently retails out of our physical store in Kampala, only. We also deliver within the city. Until we launch our online store, our clients are primarily residents and visitors of Kampala city.

How did you manage during lockdown and now?

Lockdown was challenging as it meant our main mode of trading was locked down. We were left with no choice but to redirect our efforts towards delivering within Kampala.
The lockdown highlighted weaknesses in our business model, specifically the need for an online store – if our clients cannot come to us, we need to be able to go to them.
But more than anything, lockdown showed us how resilient our business is. We are aware that many businesses haven’t survived the effects of Covid-19, we are grateful to still be in business today.

Did digitalization play a role in your business continuity? And if yes, could you tell us how?

Bold in Africa has been very active on her various social media pages (@boldinafrica) since conception. This has been very helpful with attracting potential clients to our physical location. Advertising aside, we have mostly relied on manual and in-person systems.
We believe we have come to a point in our journey where we need to further digitize both for advertising and trading purposes. Watch this space, we are working on it.

What would contribute to your business’ bright and sustainable future, if you could choose?

Our determination to succeed has been our greatest asset, may we never lose it. It is the reason why we’re still in business today. Everything else will follow

Read the original article in french in K-World Magazine magazine page 48