The love and support from friends keeps me going


Asanda and Mbali Kani at a wedding in Johannesburg. Asanda is wearing the Xhosa beaded scarf and blue and white necklace from us.

If  two of the world's most richest men, Bill Gates and Mark Elliot Zuckerberg were assisted by friends to build their wealth.

Then, I would like to believe that I am on the right path and have chosen friends carefully over the years in order to build my business empire.

The marketing of the beads business is strongly  driven by people whom I have known for years and those around me now.

From its inception back in 2015, this was  when my Zambian friend, Cynthia  and I used to buy time by creating simple patterns of wood necklaces, bracelets, earings to more complicated pieces that makes a dramatic entrance, to the ones that add that African thing to a classy outfit.

Not only did these people spread the word about what I and the team do. The moment I announced I was going to do this business full time and  showed them what I  and the team can do, they gave me ideas of how they would like their items. This breaking our traditional way of designing a piece.  It is these people that suggested the idea of partnering with local bead artists.

Amongst those that trusted us in the early days were former entertainment journalist at the Sunday Times, Gabi Mbele. Our very first dramatic net piece was worn by her at the BET awards earlier this year.

My connect group leader, Saagar Gokul planted the idea of making a Rosary then R branded purse by other members in my connect group. These were meant to be submitted to our resource centre at Rivers Church but stopped pursing the idea when I learnt they were other women already supplying and providing training in beadwork at church.

But I sold the R online and people asked for other alphabets, the shoes, t-shirts, takkies and hats were ideas mostly generated by friends. Through them, I met other strangers, one a Nigerian man who planted the idea of stone bracelets for men. I'm pleased to say we now make these message of piece bracelets for ladies too.

Friends from back home in Port Elizabeth were also very supportive of this new found hustle and constantly got messages of support from them.

Due to the friends I have  kept and the people I came across over the years, I survived the first difficult three months of an entrepreneur's life. With them on board, I would like to believe that I have built a solid foundation for this business to fly.  My  favourite saying  is "if it is not made in South Africa or Africa, then it is not us"


Communications Manager for VIMN Africa, Gabi Mbele at the BETAwards2018

Nelson Mandela University Media Mananger, Zandile Mbabela

The R purse was initially made for a presentation for resource centre  at Rivers Church and it is now a demand 

My connect group leader, Saagar Gokul, a collector of Rosary asked us to make him a beaded unisex Rosary. 


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