Startup Story
Elisa Marcos Ouana is the founder of Mozambican upcycled accessory brand, Ariel EcoArte e Serviços, EI. She is also studying for a degree in Environmental Engineering at Eduardo Mondlane University. The daughter of a tailor and passionate about sewing since childhood, at the age of 13 she started her career as an entrepreneur in the sewing sector. She reused the scraps of fabric and capulana that her father discarded and made items for girls (hair ribbons, bows, cat ties, pencil cases, etc.). At the age of 18, she discovered the world of upcycling and made her first backpack out of recycled jeans. Since then, Elisa has had the opportunity to expand her business and register her company. It’s a journey with a lot of learning and improvement. With her business, she aims to reach many more people of all age groups and be able to generate sources of employment for more women.
Sou estudante finalista do Curso de Licenciatura em Engenharia do Ambiente, na Universidade Eduardo Mondlane. Filha de um alfaiate e apaixonada pela costura desde a infancia. Aos 13 anos comecei a minha carreira como empreendedora no ramo da costura. Reutilizava os retalhos de tecido e capulana que o meu pai descartava e fazia artigos para meninas (fitas para cabelo, laços, gravatinho de gatinho, estojos, etc). Aos 18 anos descobri o mundo do upcycling e produzi a minha primeira mochila de jeans reciclado. Desde entao, tive a oportunidade de expandir o meu negocio e chegar a registar minha empresa. E um percurso de muito aprendizado e melhoria. Tenho o objectivo de alcançar muito mais pessoas de todas as faixas etarias e poder gerar fontes de emprego para mais Mulheres.
When did you start your company:
My company became known in 2019 under the name P.K Art & Style.
Minha empresa começou a ser conhecida no ano 2019 com o nome P.K Art & Style.
“My company's work is unique due to the authenticity of the design, the production of the prints themselves, and above all, the love with which each piece is made.”
What does your company do?
The company specializes in making items from reused clothing, especially jeans. It makes bags, toiletries, backpacks of all types, fanny packs, hats, organizers, bedding and decorative items. The main manufacturing processes used are sewing and crochet.
A empresa e especializada na confecçao de artigos com roupas reutilizadas, em especias o jeans. Confeccionamos bolsas, necessaires, mochilas de todos os tipos, pochetes, bones, organizadores, roupas de cama e artigos decorativos. Nossos principais processos sao a costura e o crochet.
What inspired you to start your company?
My passion for sewing, the desire to preserve the environment from pollution, and the desire to help more women to be independent.
A minha paixao pela costura, o desejo de preservar o meio ambiente da poluiçao e a vontade de ajudar mais mulheres a serem independentes.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
My company's work is unique due to the authenticity of the design, the production of the prints themselves, and above all, the love with which each piece is made.
O trabalho da minha empresa e unico pela autenticidade de design, produçao das proprias estampas e acima de tudo, pelo amor com o qual e feita cada peça.
Tell us a little about your team:
I currently work alone and divide myself between planning, marketing, production, logistics, and company management.
Actualmente trabalho sozinha e me divido entre o planejamento, marketing, produçao, logistica e gestao da empresa.
“I plan to continue to expand the target audience, increase sales, finalize the company's definitive registration, and be able to have a physical space.”
“Being able to see the smile on each customer when receiving a product made by me. That is most valuable to me.”
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I’m a beginner in this area and I'm still learning about how to manage and produce.
Sou iniciante nessa area e ainda estou aprendendo sobre como gerir e produzir.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
Currently the company is in the process of changing its name and registration process, to be able to work formally. The name P.K Art & Style becomes ARIEL EcoArte e Serviços. I plan to continue to expand the target audience, increase sales, finalize the company's definitive registration, and be able to have a physical space.
Actualmente a empresa esta em transiçao de nome e processo de registo, para poder trabalhar sendo formal. O nome P.K Art & Style passa para ARIEL EcoArte e Serviços. Meu plano e continuar a expandir o publico abrangido, aumentar as vendas, finalizar o registo definitivo da empresa e poder ter um espaço fisico.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Being able to see the smile on each customer when receiving a product made by me. That is most valuable to me.
Poder ver o sorriso em cada cliente ao receber um produto confeccionado por mim. Isso e mais valioso para mim.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Just start. Don't expect to have everything perfect! Start with what you have and if you don't have something, invent something that allows you to start even with little.
Apenas comece. Nao espere ter tudo perfeito! Comece com o que tiver e se nao tiver invente alguma coisa que te permita começar mesmo com pouco.
Find out more:
Email: elisa.ouana07@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/share/PWvHwaQx36T7jxEj/?mibextid=qi2Omg
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/pk_artstyle?igsh=YzljYTk1ODg3Zg==
Why LoA loves it…
Coming from a family with tailoring and sewing skills at its centre, Elisa gained her inspiration at an early age, developing a love for sewing and printed fabric. Today, she is turning her passion into a business that is creating handmade accessories that celebrate local printed fabrics and craftsmanship. A great example of how it’s possible to turn passion into profit. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa