Entrepreneurs
An Exclusive Interview with ‘Samara Bumba’ known as Dazdore from The UK, Founder of ‘KHAISA’
Q. Tell me about First your Jewellery brand?
I created my business to be classy on the budget. My idea of KHAISA was to be a sophisticated and unique brand that female would wear it and automatically feel sexier and more beautiful.
KHAISA was designed to be an accessory to boost customers’ looks and appearance.
Q. How did you come up with your business idea?
I always been interested on fashion and during COVID, like everybody else I was worried and stressed.
I needed something to keep me busy and at the same time make me productive. Out of the blue I came up with the idea of creating my own jewellery brand because at that time I thought would be something that I could easily afford.
Q. What were you doing before this, and is this your first business?
I am a graduate and post graduate in Petroleum Engineering but I have never felt that it was my calling or something that I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
Doing my degree I always felt incomplete as if something was missing but I end up doing it because I didn’t want that to leave it unfinished.
During my UNI days I used to sell clothes back home in Angola whenever I went on holidays. Also, because people knew I know and love fashion they would hire me to be their personal shopper and help them with their overall shopping.
Q. Did you operate your business from your ONLINE shop?
I also had an Instagram page back in 2014 where I used to connect with customers and show them the stock I had at the moment.
It was a bit similar from my current page but it wasn’t professional at this level but it helped me quite a lot at that time. Because I managed to raise a good money.
Q. What were the challenges and benefits to this strategy?
Starting your own brand is always a challenge wether budget, manufacturing, connections, packaging, building relationships, marketing and advertising .
The business needs space and time to grow as a business. Some brands when they start they already know their niche but sometimes you start building a brand, you know what product you want to sell or offer but you don’t have a clear picture or idea of it.
But people need to understand that this is normal. You don’t have to compare yourself to anyone, you just need to do your best, understand your vision and keep moving forward.
Q. How has your experience in running the business been different from what you expected?
My business thought me a lot. But mainly having patience and faith and also being focus and determined on my goals.
I know it is easy to say. Sometimes problems might come and you need to quickly solve them or even some changes might occur and you, specially and a founder you need to be open minded and flexible to adjust.
I also learned that the business is always changing. Because people are different and keep changing what they want according to what is in fashion at that time. Your response and a fashion brand owner needs to act fast to satisfy your customers otherwise you can loose customers and reduce your sales because your products are not what people are looking for.
Q. What advice would you give to somebody else who wanted to start an online retail business?
My first advice is to tell them to “START” they business because one can grow so much just by starting the business.
You need to start your business as soon as you have a budget and a clear picture of what you want to sell. Most things we adjust along the way but it is good to go through some struggles and frustrations because it will make you stronger as a person and as a brand owner.
When you understand that problems or uncomfortable situations are normal in business nothing can stop you from going where you are destined to be.
In conclusion, it is alright if you don’t have everything figure out. Allow yourself to evolve and your business is growing and progressing. Keep delivering a good work, find an honest team or people to help you and learn how to differ positive criticism and hate from people that want to see you win.