1.
Tell us
about yourself?
I am 21 year old young woman from Mochudi and I’m the eldest of 4, well now 7. We just welcomed 3 more beautiful girls into our family as my mother recently got married. I studied computer Information system at the University of Botswana and after the 1st semester of my third year after a modelling trip to china, I took the bold decision to quit. Now doing modelling full time and having my new brand of wigs you could say I’m busier than ever.
2.
Tell us
about your business ?
Established 2017, Unicorn Fluff Enterprises is an all in one
ball of out of the box and unorthodox range of services provided, for now, in
Botswana. At the moment focusing on providing quality handmade wigs in a range
of the most bold, get your noticed, big and vibrant colours and starting up a
new makeup Vlogging channel on Youtube
whilst providing makeup services for events. And of course me as a brand in the
modelling industry that I have managed to build since 2013.
3.
What
does it mean to be a fashion entrepreneur and what are some of the challenges
you face being an entrepreneur in the fashion industry?
To me it means self expression in the things that I enjoy
the most like fashion and makeup and being able to share these interests with
people from all over the world and to make a living out of it is but the cherry on
top. It is about addressing the need for youth to express themselves in a way
that is out of the box yet it being convenient to their lifestyles, for example
a fashion creative has an even to attend. No time for a sew in and hair looking
all crazy, I want them to think unicorn fluff wigs. I could just pop this wig
on quickly and even better, I have a range of colours to choose from to suit my
brand.
Some of the challenges faced are of closed minded people who are
unwilling to see this certain form of self expression. They want to live in old
values of how a person should look or what colours of hair, makeup or clothing
they feel are “appropriate”. And those that are open to the idea are afraid of
judgment to society that chooses mediocrity over a banging wig, lol.
4.
The
Fashion industry in Botswana is still seen as a hobby in Botswana and not a
business venture moreover not a sector that could contribute to the economy of
Botswana, what reason could this be, and secondly how can we move from this
outlook to the fashion industry in Botswana being taken commercially serious.
Honestly it is all about the attitude Batswana have towards local entrepreneurs that are different from what we are used to. They feel some things are not meant for us and are strictly for New York or Milan. Lord knows how many times I’ve popped my pink wig on, posted a picture online and have people ask me if I'm in Botswana or if I am even from here. We lack local support and for a business to grow it needs first to be accepted locally before it can move internationally. Which brings me back to the attitude, Batswana need to change their attitude towards local brands and support them so they can eventually grow to international standards thus improving the economy.
And as for us being taken seriously, we need to first take ourselves serious and believe in our craft, then everyone else will follow from example
5.
As a
woman entrepreneur, what advice could you give to other young women who would
like to start a business?
I would like to say start young, start immediately the idea
pops in your mind and ignore any negative factors that you think may stop you. Don’t
think you are too young or too this, or not enough of that. BE BRAVE AND
FEARLESS. If you are passionate about your craft and you work hard at it, it
will definitely pay off.
6.
What
words do you live by to get you through to the next day?
“I am as old as the things I’ve experienced and as young as the thing I’m yet to experience.” Which to me means all I have in this world is time to achieve my dreams and accomplish all that I have set out for, Time or age is not a negative factor.
Contact information
Facebook: Abigial Ashley
Instagram: Abigial Ashley @a_ash.ley
Unicorn fluff enterprises
@unicornfluff_shop
Email: unicorn.fluffenterprises@gmail.com
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