For entrepreneur Ivandra José, founder of floral design business Silva Kuphatima in Mozambique, her inspiration came from a passion for nature, flowers and an interest in crafts. Today, she is building a business that creates lasting, beautiful memories for her clients through her floral designs and jewellery.
LoA learned more about this growing floral business in Mozambique from its founder, Ivandra José, this month.
What does your company do?
At Silva Kuphatima, we specialize in providing services in two areas. Firstly, beautiful flower arrangements for any type of event, such as weddings, birthdays, graduations, engagements, or any special occasion. Secondly, we make handcrafted jewellery for men and women for their day-to-day use.
“My inspiration for starting the business was the passion I have for nature, flowers and crafts, which I have had since I was a child.”
What inspired you to start your company?
My inspiration for starting the business was the passion I have for nature, flowers and crafts, which I have had since I was a child. And another source of inspiration was my mother, my grandmother, and my sister who always helped me and believed in my potential.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
What makes our products special is the love, the affection, the brightness, and our magic touch that is applied to each product we create. We always try to surprise our customers by innovating every day.
Tell us a little about your team
We are a small team that has manual skill combined with creativity and a certain whimsy, all wrapped up with a fine attention to detail. We have good communication skills when it comes to servicing our customers, and we endeavour to always provide good quality services. Everything is done with great attention and love.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I have been an entrepreneur since I was a teenager, originally starting out by making handmade jewellery using a combination of beads and fabrics, all of which I sold to schoolmates, friends and family. I have also sold cake, including the famous "loops" “txobobos”, which was my mother’s business, but she helped me sell and we made and supplied our products to school canteens. It was not easy and I went through several difficulties, including having to stop my business for 7 years. I returned to entrepreneurship and focused on two areas of passion - flower arrangement and hand-crafted jewellery. I feel like a healthy baby, taking its first steps, surprising customers by being positive. But everything is not a bed of roses every day, and I have had obstacles to overcome on my journey, but I always fight to win. I have much to learn, because the walk is long and the dreams are many to realize.
“What makes our products special is the love, the affection, the brightness, and our magic touch that is applied to each product we create.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
I would like to see Silva Kuphatima become a nationally and internationally known brand. I would like to grow our visibility by opening a physical and online store, and at a practical level be more creative in our product designs. Ultimately, I would like to employ women and help to empower them in life and in business, as I believe that we are the change.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The appreciation that my customers have for my products; the smile of satisfaction on my customers’ faces; knowing that I have participated in people’s special moments in life; all these things give me the strength to continue and I gain inspiration in each piece of work that is completed with success.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Women, don't give up on your dreams, it is possible to realize them. Believe in yourself as a women.
Contact or follow Silva Kuphatima
INSTAGRAM | EMAIL Silvakuphatima@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it….
At LoA, we love to hear stories of women entrepreneurs who are driven by passion and who keep going, keep reinventing, to beat all the challenges and the odds that are put in their way. Ivandra José is one such entrepreneur. Today, she has embarked on the next phase of her entrepreneurial journey by following her real passion for nature and flowers, turning that passion into a business that is growing and winning customers who love her work and customer centricity. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief of Lionesses of Africa