This is week two and we have another incredible entrepreneur with an amazing story.
Enjoy our interview with her:

Let’s Meet You 

My name is Chinenye. My family calls me Chichi, friends call me Opuruiche (Igbo version of Unique) I am a pharmacist by training and an entrepreneur by adventure. I grew up in Onitsha but never really thought I would be a business woman. We usually call traders “ndi Oma’ (short form for OMATA) because most of them behaved in a certain crude manner and could barely string a correct sentence in  English. I didn’t want that. I wanted to be ‘tush’ please. My mum always emphasized the importance of being a professional and having a good job but I started wanting more at some point. I got interested in business when I was on industrial training at a community pharmacy and I saw how the success of the business was built on an effective system that did not need the owner to be there micromanaging us. It had little to do with how much clinical knowledge he had, he had business knowledge. I fell in love. 

What’s the story behind your business?

My mum always picks the best prints and I would take her extra fabric, give it to my tailor to make a blouse or skirt. My colleagues would always compliment my print and simple styles and ask for my tailors number. I figured I could turn this into a business. So I started experimenting. I took some of my mum’s fabrics and gave to my tailor to make a few pieces for me, I was able to sell some after some months. Then someone contacted me out of the blues to make over ten clothes for her. Wow! That was a huge motivation and Afrogarde was born.

What’s the connection between your faith and your dreams in becoming a successful, inspiring entrepreneur?

God is excellent; He does not make mediocre stuff. Afrogarde clothes must be excellent. That is my watchword. I do unto others what I want to be done unto me so I imagine how women have to work hard and then spend their money on our clothes and I want it to be a worthy investment that they keep gushing about. It is that simple.

What will you say to your younger self and by extension, every other young girl dreaming big dream with all you know today? 

Honey, explore! Try things out. If it does not work out, move on to the next one. You cannot have your life figured out so early, you will keep discovering yourself as you grow. You don’t have to be like everyone else. You are you. That’s your superpower.  Stick to God and His ideals. Many years from now you will look back and be glad you didn’t indulge in all the foolishness. It is not worth it. 

Who is your greatest inspiration and why?

My sister, Ngozi. I have watched her live her best life against all odds. I have seen her stick to unpopular opinion and prove them wrong. She says she is going to achieve something, i watch her do it. She is the person I can tell my crazy big dreams and she will tell me to go get them. 

What do you do daily that brings you closer to your big goals?

I wrote a couple of things I want to achieve on a notepad and I keep it close to my bed. I wake up in the morning and read them out loud to myself. It helps me keep things in perspective.

Do you have a personal watch word or watch words? Kindly share with us. 

You can do whatever you set your mind to do 

Any Final Words?

Enjoy your life. It may seem mundane but trust me, it is crucial that you do so. Do not beat yourself up when you make mistakes, pick the lesson and keep moving. Breathe. Live. Love.

About Afrogarde

Afrogarde was formed with the young, edgy woman in mind. The name connotes “guarding African fashion.”  Hence, Afrogarde uses African inspired fabrics to create wearable art with bold and colourful prints that celebrate fearlessness. Women who wear Afrogarde feel confident and never get lost in the crowd. Afrogarde clothes are conversation starters. If you can’t break the ice, let your clothes do it for you.

The drive of the business is to make African inspired fashion affordable, convenient and accessible.

www.afrogarde.com | @afrogarde (Instagram)