Startup Story
Mirene Guitiche is the founder and CEO of Miregui Art, a company that has existed since 2020 and is dedicated to creative sewing and crafts in Mozambique. She is an entrepreneur equipped with skills and is very talented, in addition to being a Management student (UEM) in the country.
A Mirene Guitiche tem 23 anos é estudante de Gestão (UEM), é fundadora e CEO da Miregui art, uma empresa existente desde 2020 que se dedica a costura criativa e artesanato. Empreendedora munida de competências e muito talentosa.
LoA spoke to founder Mirene Guitiche about her business and her passion for creative entrepreneurship.
What does your company do?
I do creative sewing, not of clothes but of accessories such as briefcases, bags, satin caps, lunch boxes, turbans, bows, bags, ties, and hats. - customization of bags and shoes that are no longer in use (with capulana I bring these pieces to life)
Faço costura criativa, não de roupas mas de acessórios como pastas, bolsas, toucas de cetim, lancheiras, turbantes, laços, sacolas, Gravatas e chapéus.- customização de bolsas e sapatos já em desuso (com a capulana dou vida a essas peças)
“The innovative potential makes my products and services special, as each piece is made with love and unique details of the customer's preference.”
“O potencial inovador torna os meus produtos e serviços especiais pois a cada peça é depositada amor e detalhes únicos da preferência do cliente.”
What inspired you to start your company?
The personal need I had to recover a worn-out shoe that I had at home. As a joke I took a worn-out shoe, fabric and glue and gave it a new look, so I never stopped, and today I make more than 9 different items in my product range.
A necessidade pessoal que tive de recuperar um sapato já gasto que tinha em casa, em jeito de brincadeira peguei um sapato gasto, tecido e cola ficou com um novo visual daí nunca mais parei, e hoje faço mais de 9 artigos diferenciados.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
The innovative potential makes my products and services special, as each piece is made with love and unique details of the customer's preference. The power of transformation is also highlighted.
O potencial inovador torna os meus produtos e serviços especiais pois a cada peça é depositada amor e detalhes únicos da preferência do cliente. O poder de transformação também é destacado.
Tell us a little about your team:
I currently work alone, but I started with my brothers and my parents who gave me a lot of support.
Atualmente trabalho sozinha, mas comecei com meus irmãos e meus pais que me deram muito suporte.
“In the future, I want to provide creative sewing training and increase female workers. I also want to reach other provinces and countries.”
“Futuramente quero dar formações de costura criativa e aumentar trabalhadoras. Chegar a outras províncias e países.”
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
When I started, I didn't go to any sewing or craft school. My brother sewed the machine for me, and I made the patterns. One fine day he refused to help me, and I had an order to make - I had no choice, so without any knowledge, I sat down at the machine and started sewing (I don't know how, lol!) then I never stopped. I'm grateful that his ‘no’ gave me wings, courage, and the strength to be independent.
Bem quando comecei não fui a nenhuma escola de costura ou artesanato. O meu irmão é que costurava a máquina para mim e eu fazia os moldes. Num belo dia ele se recusa a me ajudar e eu tinha encomenda por fazer, não tive escolha sem nenhum conhecimento sentei na máquina e comecei a coser (não sei como kkk) daí nunca mais parei. Sou grata por que o não dele deu-me asas, coragem e força para ser independente.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
In the future, I want to provide creative sewing training and increase female workers. I also want to reach other provinces and countries.
Futuramente quero dar formações de costura criativa e aumentar trabalhadoras. Chegar a outras províncias e países.
“When I have satisfied customers and when I see them coming back, I feel like I'm doing a good job. I also feel satisfied when challenges are presented to me.”
“Quando tenho clientes satisfeitos e quando vejo-os a voltarem sinto que estou a fazer um bom trabalho. Sinto satisfeita também quando colocam-me desafios.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
When I have satisfied customers and when I see them coming back, I feel like I'm doing a good job. I also feel satisfied when challenges are presented to me.
Quando tenho clientes satisfeitos e quando vejo-os a voltarem sinto que estou a fazer um bom trabalho. Sinto satisfeita também quando colocam-me desafios.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Don't do business just for money or to be like others. Be different, unique, and special. You will come across all kinds of scenarios, so cultivate your entrepreneurial essence and do it with love.
Não faça o negócio só por dinheiro ou para ser igual as outras. Sê diferente, única e especial. Vás te deparar com todo tipo de cenários portanto cultive as suas essências empreendedoras e faça com amor.
Contact or follow Miregui Art
Email: mireneguitiche5@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064516699057&mibextid=LQQJ4d
Instagram: https://instagram.com/miregui_art?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Why LoA loves it…
Sometimes inspiration to start a business or to take it to the next level comes from unexpected challenges, and for Mirene Guitiche that was certainly her experience. Today, she is building her business by leveraging her creative sewing skills, as she creates beautiful accessories that celebrate Capulana fabrics. Her approach to custom design and creation also makes her brand stand out from the pack. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa