The road to Masa Square Hotel Fashion Show endures
WeekendLife
Financing a fashion business is one of the key components and prerequisites to being in business. There are some businesses that do not require large capital at the start, and in fact, some get the clients to pay in advance for the product or service offered. Sadly, these are not usually fashion businesses.
In fashion, vast amounts of finance and capital are required, often in advance. Disappointingly, financing a fashion business is like throwing money into a black hole; the more you throw in, the more you need to again, and again… So being good with money, or partnering with someone who is good at managing finance, is essential. Knowing how to raise money is also important and in most cases, it is necessary.
In the past, the route to starting a brand was often paved by fashion graduates or ex-fashion employees, whereas today anyone can launch a brand. Often, more mature people make a career change and armed with passion and perhaps a good idea, they launch a new fashion business. Regardless of how you ended up in fashion, the journey is often the same with all fashion entrepreneurs needing more money to finance their fashion business in order to survive. The crucial time is at the start; between the time that you have decided that starting a fashion business is what you would like to do, and up to the days following your business launch.
As part of your research, you should have a fair idea of what you will need, in terms of resources, materials and manpower in order to launch. Price it all up and then, double that figure. The chances are there will be many things you didn’t think of, didn’t know you need and that will arise as you get going.
If you are self-funded, congratulations! If you are not so lucky to have the finance behind you, and if you have any savings that you can put towards your business, that will certainly help. Otherwise, working part-time or even full-time to begin with, and dedicating your spare time to planning and starting the business, is a common practice.
Often, is it wrongly assumed that if you want to start a business, you need to drop everything else and just work on that? But that is a myth. The reality is, at least in the beginning, which having a job which takes care of your bills and necessities, allow you to have the peace of mind to focus on your new business. This may sound like you are spreading yourself quite thinly, but having less spare time can help you to be more focused on what you need to do. There is less time to second-guess every decision and you have to be stricter with your time.
Many fashion designers work on external freelance projects to generate more income for the business, as well as for living expenses, beyond the launch phase two. Anyway, as part of their build up towards the much anticipated fashion show, Masa Square Hotel hosted fashion designers for the second edition of The Talk Factory, held under the theme ‘’financial literacy’’.
Stanbic Bank’s Head of Secured Lending Wabo Moswate along with his colleague, Manager Commercial Relationships Vehicle and Asset Finance, Gosata Kgari engaged fashion designers and creative over a formidable discussion this past week on a Thursday evening.
Centred upon a desire for driving financial literacy, topics of discussion at the night’s proceeding’s included budgeting 101, crowd funding and positioning your business to attract investors.
The bank, through such initiatives hopes to further engage with Batswana and impart valuable knowledge as they reaffirm their responsibility to extend themselves as a financial partner beyond just banking. They achieve this by adding value, providing exposure, information and their expertise to the communities they serve to foster an environment that facilitates their growth and success.
When speaking at The Talk Factory, Moswate said ‘’we are privileged to have been part of the informative session. As part of the bank’s strong desire to become a facilitator of improved youth employability and entrepreneurship, we took this opportunity to further illustrate that we are more than just a bank; we are a true partner, dedicated to helping Batswana build their own legacies. It is never too late to acquire knowledge and utilize it. We can gather wisdom and benefit from it, we can grow, progress and improve while in the process, strengthen the lives of those within our circle of influence’’
For his part, Kgari noted that the bank is excited about the economic transformation they are witnessing as Batswana youth continue to realise their potential, adding that the growth of the creative industry of Botswana remains both realistic and achievable through such pioneering dialogues, as they will continue to invest in the future growth of youth and local entrepreneurs through strategic partnerships. Masa Square Hotel will host its annual Fashion Show on the 2nd of November 2019. It is a creative platform that seeks to shine a spotlight on local talent in the fashion and beauty sector.
WeekendLife
Creatives taking over 2023
Creativity is seen everywhere and these individuals did something recently that’s never been done before, and some are still killing it. We see creativity on streaming platforms, stages, runways, social media and boardrooms even. Some of them are revamping their businesses, and lately, clothing sale is thriving.
They love concept-driven designs, storytelling and they bring fresh ideas and new perspectives that will leave footprints in the sand. Post the COVID-19 pandemic, these creative minds utilized the drawing board and they became cognizant that monetizing content will actually take them far, which is frank nonetheless.
This is commendable though, but the creative industry will still need support from government in order for it to flourish further. Allocation of resources (funds, facilities and empowerment) should be done consistently, creativity must be raised and at the end of the day, the economy benefits from that kind of investment.
HAN C
Ever since he parted ways with his former manager, DJ Bougee Sid, Mahalapye born-pint sized, multi-award-winning artist, Hanceford Magapatona has been taking up space, unapologetically so. Han C has shown a strong will to take over the entire world, and he is in the right direction. He’s solely organizing the annual Mahalapye Spring Festival, which is taking place next weekend.
The Pepetetsa hitmaker raked some monies from his savings to put together this event. Mahalapye Spring Festival will feature Paige, Ubuntu Band, Khoisan, Amantle Brown and Double Up among others. Even though it didn’t come as a surprise, Han C was nominated at African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) in the US, under Best Male Southern Africa category.
However, the award was snatched by the late South African rapper, AKA. Its not all lost as Han C secured two nominations at the Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs): People’s Choice of the Year and Best Male Single.
KOKETSO MOTSWAGOLE
This entrepreneur has turned his dreams into reality, and his promising apparel business is now a fashion destination. Matter of fact, Motswagole weathered the storms to be where he is now because through criticism and social media bullying, he still leads the pack in fashion.
His social media accounts got deleted but through his online store, KM Sales, Motswagole is able to rake in some profits. He initially started selling from his car but now owns a busy store and has employed a number of young people.
KM Sales has been offering fashionable items (shoes, t-shirts, pants) and has been participating in various lifestyle events such as Garden of Drip where it showcases its products.
If there is one young entrepreneur to draw motivation from is Koketso. The business started from humble beginnings, at the time when he worked part time at Ipelegeng as a casual labor. Indeed, good things come to those who wait, or well, work like a slave today, live like a king tomorrow.
KAGISO LUDO DE KLERK
Vee Mampeezy’s ex-wife Kagiso De Klerk clearly did not sit and weep over their dramatic divorce. The famous social media influencer hurriedly picked up the pieces and went hard on promoting business online. She literally took social media influencing to the head and it is working for her.
This year saw her partnership with Shell reach greater heights, and obviously, she is raking lot of pulas from the deal. Kagiso has been making frequent appearances in top events in South Africa such as Bubbles in Spring and Gold and Diamond Experience.
GAONA DINTWE
After a long break from the limelight, renowned media and radio personality, Gaona Dintwe is back. She was missed by many on TV, and she’s back where she belongs, news anchoring on BTV. Gaona has also found a niche in podcasting. She is a host of her own podcast, Gaona Live Conversation, where various people share their stories on camera.
Some of what they discuss is Gender Based Violence (GBV), polygamy and drug addiction. This is highly commendable because even BTV doesn’t have programs that discuss these crucial social issues. The Lentswelemoruti native is also seen in various corporate events where she is engaged as a host.
WeekendLife
DITIRO LEERO ONE MAN SHOW ON THE PIPELINE
Now that one-man shows are made fashionable, traditional dance guru and ex-convict, Ditiro Leero is joining the crusade and he will be hosting his also. The show will be held next month at Zone 4 Farm in Selokolela, but the there are traditional dance music artists who have been lined up to perform at the show. Matshana, Morwa Leka and Maswailathota will be doing their thing and probably bring some heat too. Ditiro Leero will be making history as the first traditional artist to host a one-man show in Botswana.
WeekendLife
MISS BOTSWANA HAVING MANY IRONS IN THE FIRE
With only two months before Miss World 2023, the reigning Miss Botswana, Lesego Chombo is having many irons in the fire, preparing for the much-anticipated beauty pageant. Miss World 2023 will be the 71st edition of Miss World pageant and it will be held in India. Chombo has been spotted toning her body at Jack’s gym, a requirement that is taken seriously at the pageant. She has also been participating in charity events, something that should add to her profile at the Miss World.