All hail to the women Mask Makers

How supply and demand dynamics can change in such a short space of time. If you had asked women entrepreneurs at the beginning of this year if they could have imagined themselves producing masks as integral parts of their collections, they would have said you were crazy. But look at what a difference a few months and a global pandemic can do to shift market dynamics. Women entrepreneurs who were in the business of manufacturing, particularly in the textile sector, rose to the challenge and started to shift their production and retail models to items needed in the marketplace, particularly face masks. If I look at brands in the Lionesses of Africa community that have made this shift to respond to market need, they include some well-known names - such as the popular Ledikana brand in South Africa. Known for their innovative clothing and accessory designs that incorporate traditional fabrics such as Shweshwe, they are now producing and selling these fabric masks that reflect their brand, and provide a public service. It is interesting to see how consumers are responding to the need to wear masks in public for safety reasons, choosing to make a statement through their buying choices, combining practicality with creativity.

Have yourself an inspired entrepreneurial day! — Melanie