Startup Story
In Uganda, if you are looking for the most exciting apparel and home decor brands, then you need go no further than the Bold in Africa retail outlet, launched back in 2012 by co-founders Nunu Mugyenyi, Angel Nkwaya and Janet Mugume. Today, the business is going from strength to strength, now showcasing over forty emerging apparel and home décor brands from countries across the African continent including Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia and South Africa.
LoA chatted to these enterprising co-founders to find out more about the company’s vision and future aspirations.
What does your company do?
With a specific focus on the 'Bold Woman', the Bold in Africa mission is to create a platform for African creatives in the fashion and home decor industry, both locally and internationally. We create opportunities for designers to retail their collections in affordable spaces with excellent exposure. The name 'Bold in Africa' is a fitting 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.
“The Bold in Africa mission is to create a platform for African creatives in the fashion and home decor industry, both locally and internationally.”
Why should anyone use your service or product?
The first of its kind in the region, Bold in Africa has successfully created a space where 40+ designers/artisans collectively represent over 10 African countries. It is built on the spirit of collaboration, and not competition. We believe that there is power in numbers and that it always the season to buy local.
Tell us a little about your team
The Bold in Africa Managing Director, Nunu Mugyenyi, is a Fashion Entrepreneur with a Masters in Fashion Merchandising and Retail Management. She is supported by Co-Directors, Angel Nkwaya, Janet Mugume and Linda Umutesi. Bold in Africa would not be where it is today without its sales, admin and production teams.
“Bold in Africa has successfully created a space where 40+ designers/artisans collectively represent over 10 African countries. It is built on the spirit of collaboration, and not competition.”
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
Bold in Africa is where our entrepreneurial journey began. At conception, our vision was a lot smaller and shorter sighted than it is today. We were friends, fresh out of undergrad, with a common interest in fashion, so we decided to open a boutique where we used to, ironically, buy and re-sell second hand clothing. It wasn't far along this journey that we identified two problems – there was nowhere convenient to purchase locally made, affordable clothing and there was nowhere affordable for designers to open convenient outlets. Within a year of our opening we transitioned from second-hand to Ugandan-made pieces, and then expanded into African-made. In 2019, seven years into our journey, we extended our product offering to include home decor and kids apparel. Over the years, we have continued to identify gaps in the market and have grown more conscious of our impact on our community, specifically (Bold) Women and African-made products. We continue to be inspired by entrepreneurs in our families, friends and community.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
Bold in Africa currently retails out of our Kampala physical store, only. While we also deliver within the city, until we launch our online store, our clients are primarily residents and visitors of Kampala city. We would very much like to expand our services to the rest of the world. So, our next step is to launch our online store in the next few weeks. Watch this space!
“Over the years, we have continued to identify gaps in the market and have grown more conscious of our impact on our community, specifically (Bold) Women and African-made products.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The recent Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and lockdowns have given the Bold in Africa Team a renewed sense of satisfaction and gratitude. It has highlighted the strengths, and the weaknesses in our business model, including 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, this pandemic has shown us how resilient our business is. We are aware that many businesses haven’t survived the effects of Covid-19, it gives us great satisfaction to know that we have built a brand that is not only still in business but planning its next 'BOLD' move. We do not take this for granted.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
It is true what they say about starting a business that you are not only passionate, but good at. There will be good days and bad days, if you enjoy your business enough, you can get through all days. Our determination to succeed has been our greatest asset. May we never lose it. May you find it. It is the reason why we’re still in business today. Everything else will follow.
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Why LoA loves it…
At Lionesses of Africa, we have seen Bold in Africa grow and thrive, even in the most challenging of environments, always innovating and pushing the boundaries of existing retail models.Today, the business is poised for the next stage of its growth, having built up a loyal customer base both at home and abroad. The move into the world of digital and online marketing is going to be a pivotal one, and will catapult the brand into a whole new customer universe. These are going to be exciting times for the Bold in Africa team. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa