Getting the world to sit up and take notice of Africa’s luxury products is a challenge, but for entrepreneur Grace Mlimo, founder of Luxuria Lifestyle Africa, she thinks she has the solution with her online platform.
As part of its ongoing commitment to showcasing Africa’s luxury women-owned brands, LoA found out more about this unique company looking to help a new generation of luxury brand builders in this space.
What does your company do?
Positioned as the gateway for luxury brands in Africa, the Luxuria Lifestyle Africa online digital platform gives luxury brands and service providers of luxury across Africa an opportunity to list their brand and showcase their offering on an international online platform that is represented in 8 regions globally, giving brands maximum exposure globally.
"Africa is underserved with international luxury brands, yet Africans have risen to be consumers of Luxury internationally, travelling far and wide seeking for luxury outside of the continent."
What inspired you to start your company?
Africa is underserved with international luxury brands, yet Africans have risen to be consumers of Luxury internationally, travelling far and wide seeking for luxury outside of the continent. Africa has an amazing rich history of deep rooted and diverse cultures stretching from East to West and from the deepest South to the Northernmost tip, and it is covered with rich resources, wealth and skills that should not be underestimated. As a young enterprising woman, well travelled in Africa and internationally, I realised how undeserved the luxury space in Africa is. We often see a lot of international luxury brands represented in Africa and very few of the African luxury brands are represented at an international level. The aim is to give these African luxury brands an online platform that is internationally represented in 8 regions, and for the platform to be among the best in the world. Taking the best from Africa to the world and exposing it to the right target audience and consumers of luxury. We are positioned as the gateway for international luxury brands seeking partnerships in Africa to help team up the best in Africa with the best internationally, all focused on lifestyle and tailor-made experiences. Our online platform cuts across various industry sectors all focused on the top tier of luxury and premium consumers, giving those consumers a lifestyle and experience that is long lasting. We work with those seeking personalised lifestyle experiences to create lasting memories around individual desires to ensure a well rounded experience is realised. Our primary objective is to position Africa as a destination of choice for luxury. With the number of luxury consumers rising in the continent, the aim is to encourage brands and individuals with products and services within the luxury space to partner with Luxuria Lifestyle Africa, helping us to position those brands as the best in Africa, and helping to take their businesses to the next level of success.
"We are positioned as the gateway for international luxury brands seeking partnerships in Africa to help team up the best in Africa with the best internationally, all focused on lifestyle and tailor made experiences."
Why should anyone use your service or product?
By partnering with Luxuria Lifestyle Africa brands immediately leverage off the following:
1. Become part an international platform that is represented in 8 regions globally.
2. You are positioning your brand with the best in the Africa and internationally.
3. We offer one platform in Africa that helps brands to see who is doing what offering, creating an opportunity for non competitive brands to collaborate.
4. We help to create bespoke events that market and position your brand or service offerings.
5. We are all about making Africa a better place.
6. Brand exposure, positioning and marketing.
7. Tapping into the world’s best lifestyle and experiences across various sectors of personal interests.
8. Luxuria Lifestyle Africa is positioned as the gateway for Luxury brands in Africa therefore we can connect your brand with other international partners with similar business interests.
Tell us a little about your team
Luxuria Lifestyle Africa works with a team of passionate brand ambassadors and content providers within the luxury space across Africa to ensure brands’ interests are well represented and well positioned, and those brands’ stories and legacy are well preserved. Our team of contributors cover various topics of interests within the luxury space depending on areas of interest. All stories are carefully selected and vetted to ensure brands are protected.
"The future plan for Luxuria Lifestyle Africa is to continue to be positioned as the gateway for Luxury brands in Africa and to continue to foster relations for brands in Africa and internationally making Africa a destination of choice for Luxury providers."
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
A seasoned traveller in Africa and internationally, the desire to be the best and want to be with the best has endorsed my entrepreneurship skills overtime.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
The future plan for Luxuria Lifestyle Africa is to continue to be positioned as the gateway for Luxury brands in Africa and to continue to foster relations for brands in Africa and internationally making Africa a destination of choice for Luxury providers.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Helping other businesses to grow and forge meaningful partnerships both locally and at international levels.
"... we encourage fellow women to follow their dreams with passion."
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Starting a business can be challenging, and along the journey many challenges do indeed occur. However, we encourage fellow women to follow their dreams with passion. Do not let anyone discourage you from your journey, remain focused, be determined to reach your goal. We encourage women to surround themselves with people who add value to their journeys and who influence them positively. Stay away from friends and people who are negative and do not add value to avoid being discouraged from your journeys, and nurture relationships that add value. If you have kids, make them part of your journey and celebrate with them special milestones. Let them understand your journey and they will appreciate what you do as a mother and a woman - self respect and respect for others is key. Respect and reward your team as your business is only as strong as the team behind it. Identify women support groups and forums such as LoA which can help you grow.
Contact or follow Luxuria Lifestyle Africa
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL grace@luxurialifestyleafrica.com
Why LoA loves it….
The global marketplace has always had a love affair with luxury brands, but now some of Africa’s leading luxury brand builders are getting the opportunity to position their products alongside the more established names in luxury. For entrepreneur Grace Mlimo, founder of Luxuria Lifestyle Africa, her goal is to put more of these luxury brands from across the African continent into the consciousness of discerning global consumers. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief of Lionesses of Africa