 Welcome back to entrepreneurship Tuesday on why and the morning. My name is Barry Moses or it's very one social media So yeah, this is our last interview of the day. So we saved the best for last and this Lady goes by the name Furnace and she is the founder of mm-hmm Venika lady. Venika lady. Venika lady, which is an outlet for high-end fashion to the middle-end fashion For the ladies Furnace your camera is number four. So if I left anything you can introduce yourself now officially Yeah, yeah, that is that is a word Ladies fashion and Slowly we will introduce the kids and the men's but currently we are dealing with men's fashion They've been in the business for About two and a half years two and a half years Encounted. Yes. All right. I was made to understand you had to resign You had to leave your job to start this business. Yes. All right. What job were you doing? I was an accountant Yes, you are an accountant. Yes. All right Do you stop being an accountant when you stop working for somebody? You don't stop you don't stop being an accountant Once an accountant always an accountant always an accountant. Yes. All right, so This was a nine to five I'm guessing Sorry, you were working from nine to five eight to five eight to five. Yes, I even gave you less Less one hour. All right. So How long did you work as an accountant under somebody or for somebody? About six and a half years. Yeah working at first in an insurance Insurance a broker Yeah, all right. So I'd like to know out of these six years here at what point between I want to know the point between resigning and The conception of their of the idea just when you said I'm going to resign from this job and start my own business How long between that decision and actually the actual resignation because I know you need some time between deciding and And resigning so that you can plan life after resigning. So how long was it for you? Actually, I always knew that I wanted to be my own boss Even even well, I was working Six year period you know at the end of this I always wanted to do my own thing and to be my own boss And to also give opportunities to other people to come in and work and land the business I always knew that I wanted to be the boss and not to be You know to report to someone. Yes. All right. I get that. So you had to plan your life after resigning Oh, yeah. Yes. All right So what are some of the steps you took to to make sure you don't go through? The the stories that we have had of people resigning and things don't work enough What are some of the things you kept to account? I would say just Getting to know what I really wanted was It was a very difficult thing because I didn't actually Knew that I wanted to do fashion Yeah, so In my mind, I wanted to do something to do with beauty and stuff because I found myself that when I was growing up I was I was more into hair and Beauty my elder sister was doing those hair stuff. Yeah, so I knew I wanted to go that direction, but After I resigned it took about One and a half years to two years I can't remember the period quite well To start the fashion business so that means I tried hair business as well So while I was at it at the hair business This friend of ours Our family friend I'm married. So our family friend was living the Shop that he was working in that Rehema place. Yeah, so he offered us that space and we thought Why not we can try what he's doing, but he was doing men stuff. So We decided to do ladies All right, when you say we you mean you and your hubby. Yes. All right. So it's very supportive of what you're doing Yes, he's my number one supporter is your number one supporter and a business partner and a life partner YouTube you'll find us on YouTube that is that why to buy for each other on YouTube if you miss anything Or if you know somebody would like to see something after the show you can direct them to YouTube That is that why to buy for channel. All right, so You went into the shop. What did you get your first stop? After we made the decision to do the business to continue with the business we traveled Abroad to go and find What we wanted to talk the lady stuff we were all new so we didn't actually know what to what the ladies want at that time We would base Specifically on what I you like. Yes, what I liked Yeah, and that was the mistake That was the first mistake. That was the first mistake because some of this stuff we stopped from Actually went to Bangkok So what some of the stuff that we stopped from Bangkok? We still have them to now till now. Yes You wear them You can't wear all of them Yeah, so that is a loss you counted. Yes, and this is a mistake you learn that is a mistake When you go into business and I'm trying to understand when you get into business It's not about you. It's about the customer is about the customer. That is lesson number one for you in the process All right. So Nadia is what do you get your stuff from? We stopped from the UK And a bit from us. Yeah, all right Critics will ask Yes, but what is wrong with Kenyan fabric? What is wrong with Kenyan cotton? What is wrong with Kenyan silk? What is wrong with Kenyan? Outfits, what is wrong with Kenyan Lions? We have very amazing and Designers in Kenya But the fabric we get the kind of quality we get from the UK and the US. We have not seen it Around so there's room for improvement as Kenyan manufacturers. Yes, and even if it is it is available in Kenya It is very expensive to get a designer to do it for you to resell Yeah, all right, so it's very hard to get a designer who can execute Yes things how you want some more. Yeah, so until then you're going to be important. Yes, what are some of the challenges that come with important? Your stock The lead time Sometimes the customers want things like they they've seen a design and you've already Started to watch for this or like promoting. This is what is coming And the time it takes is actually not The way you expected So it takes quite a long time Sometimes you expect some goods to arrive in maybe a week or two. It ends up taking like two Like four weeks to six weeks Yeah, so timing is a factor. Yeah, what is another challenge that you face when it comes to importation of your stock? I can say also the cost the cost of importation which needs to be which is going to Which is the weight of this is going to be put to the to the consumer Yes, or it's going to be put on the cost you have to transfer. Yeah, you have to transfer that That is the word I was looking for you have to transfer that and this affects the business Yes in the long run. Yeah, obviously because All right, I feel that as as The market is transitioning to To to to the internet we were talking about gig economy with my brother this morning And we've seen the market transitioning to the internet We can get hostels from the internet Whatever you want to go in this world you can get a hostel or a house on the internet You can get a taxi on the internet. You can get stuff delivered to you How are you guys adapting to this new market or new way of doing things in the market when it comes to retail and stuff? We are there like we are That is a perfect that is the question you're waiting for. Yes. We are there. We are on social media Our clientele the age the age group is Tech-savvy so they're always in the internet Most of the time you'll you'll rarely find a youth coming You know brick-and-mortar to come in the shop to shop there. They want to see it online And if they will come first, they'll have to have seen it somewhere then they will come to shop So you have to be on all platforms literally In kenya. I've seen facebook and instagram working quite well. They're working quite well for you. Yes All right, so you market on facebook and instagram, which is Free of charge sometime unless you want to sponsor your ads All right, so I like I like that. How about the eco Eco mass the You sell your stuff exclusively online like somebody can get online and buy and get it delivered Is this something that you do? We have we have actually considered that Though our website is not yet done currently, but we think There's just a few people Or a few group of persons Who even if they see something online, they have to touch and feel you know Touch and feel it is in the country. Yeah, it's still the culture in the country So there are those that trust the internet they've bought for you You know if you supply the customer once twice and she has already trusted your quality So they will always Go online and purchase it without having that doubt in mind But the others they touch and feel group. They have to come to the shop They'll see it online and come to the shop feel it then buy Time and time again. All right. So, uh, the business environment in Nairobi as we speak. How is it? According to you could it be better or we are doing well Is quite competitive, but I think we can we we can do well We can do well. We can minimize importation. We have great designers in Kenya. If we get the right fabrics we get Minimum minimal labor cost We like China. Yes All right. Yeah, I feel that so those are some of the aspects we can improve Yes. Yes. How about the the regulators of business like the Nairobi county council And uh, the the other regulators do you do you feel like they're doing a good job to business owners like you? Uh with the Nairobi county Uh, yeah, I can say that You have not had a problem with them We've not had any problem with the Nairobi county. I've not encountered any problem with them I think the county government if you have permit And you followed The law the way they want it most probably you'll get into minimal friction with them You get into minimal friction with them. So everybody's doing the job and you're doing yours as well, which is amazing. So, uh, when it comes to To grow in the business you told me you were talking about branching out like getting into kids And men's fashion All right, from what you've learned the lessons you've learned. What are some of the the skills you're going to be Have using when you're approaching this big step Learning the customer needs Yeah getting to know what the customer really wants was the quality of of my ideal customer on my frequent buyer Yeah, so when we get to know this parent i'm selling to Would like their kid to dress in this manner or with this kind of fabrics or this kind of attire, you know, there's some Parents who want their kids the girls always in dresses and the others will prefer the girls look girly Yes for the girls to look girly and princesses, you know Yeah, and the the boys to look like, you know, this is uh, I'm in control Yeah So just getting to learn what the customer wants and then working backwards So getting to know what the customer wants and then work and then work backwards. Yes Powerful words right there from vernice. Uh, I like that. I like that. So as we wrap this up Uh, there's a question we posted on facebook and this is just comparing and contrasting The person who goes to bed late The person works late or the person wakes up early to work. Which one do you think is the best Concussion for success Hard work hard work. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. What time of the day it doesn't matter what time of the day you start It doesn't matter what time of the day. There are people who could start early putting More hours and more hard work in the early hours when they are still fresh But there are people like me who work better Late late. Uh-huh. I feel that so people are different also people but at the end of the day What brings people together what you put in what takes you to the top is what you put in it doesn't matter What I would say that is the best answer I've got I've got today so far So before we sample the feedback, I'd like you to look the viewers straight into their eyes and tell them the reason why buying from you Is the best option they have in Nairobi or Kenya or eastern central Africa or whatever the The size of the market you're trying to reach why buying from you is the best Look them straight into that What separates you from other retailers? If you've ever been disappointed By a tailor We are here number one We are here It's uh, you visit us you fit You take what fits you Um, sometimes with a few adjustments We can We can do that for you But you are assured that what you see is what you get And Venika lady is the best option for you when it comes to that we offer quality clothing Venika lady offers quality clothing And uh, so one question from the viewers before we sample That is This will take us back to To the idea of Kenyan fabric and Kenyan Kenyan designers. Do you stock any Kenyan? designs or Kenyan clothes Vigents currently not but currently not currently not but we were looking into that We are looking you're finding the you're trying to find the best We are trying to find those designers who want to partner with us We want to stock their designs and you want to put them out there All right This is a call to all the designers out there if you think you're doing something good you can reach them Social media handles how they how can they get to? Get in touch with you on facebook It's venika lady And instagram is at venika lady Venika lady on facebook instagram at venika lady. Yes. Thank you very much venika lady or Founder of venika lady You're going to tell me what this venika means. I was that I think But right about now we are going to sample feedback on our facebook page and the question was simple If waking up Early as early as five makes you successful. So maybe we can sample a few before We come to the end of this so apparently lasso and so my always wake up at five Every morning. I don't think waking up early makes you successful But I believe waking up early and planning for your day brings you closer to your goals That is deep and that is really good. Apparently lasso. Thank you very much for your feedback sass and press and asama Good morning. Nevasha. Well represented. I always wake up at three except on weekends But tell us sass What has waken up at three damn for you? What changes as it brought to your life? All right, ken k Geng stinger Mm-hmm All right Geng stinger some morning if you wake up to stare at the ceiling then you can't bring no change If you wake up and go to work, it's and no cause you're doing the same thing But if you waking up to do something extra then for sure You will get something out of it. That is very deep and thank you very much. Well said Kelvin kibbetan as a maternity and from nakuru. Thank you very much Kelvin. You didn't have A lot to say you just say you just had to tell us you're watching. We appreciate you We're rupaul and it's a good morning watching from neary county brand kimania and some a good morning white if i 14 in in from kiambo waking up as alias five Of people plan their day and it's also good for your body Thank you. Dr. Someone go get us. I'm a kaiole like basha represented Kaiole like basha. We appreciate you guys so much You're always watching one in the morning. She gali iana some of the best tv station in the 254 Hey, that's a big crown, but we are going to carry Lavins in josh and a some a good morning watching from kiambo town as usual Frederick shaggy and I said well all that matters is how you plan your day and what activities you take To better your life as well as other kenyans get into south represented and nansim janja wakeno anasema Keno kaga muranga county well represented as usual tick tick Baba Dogo well well represented a hundred tick tick simonesse wakimsi anasema Anasema evo milson yawira anasema tuning from karats. I think this is kaitina Shout out to you at your karats I saw me to go to anasema tuning from nyandarwa. I'm Karabati Guji Hope Center Niko some boni morris mungai mumbi anasema one amka What water or plotty work in that job? Raya co dame h town asema not necessarily but the wise men say it early bird catches warm Isaac spice anasema for me akuna kituka hito bh Okay, what? Sirius na kitu una fanya atawam ke sa next year you will be successful If you're serious, it doesn't matter. That is the exact thing you were saying It doesn't matter the time of the day. It's the work you put in a lot in greg and some uh locked nikiwa kiambo me Oh Okay, who's key? Wow Hmm Uh-huh, maybe it was a Hard work Bet I like that one I don't mind what type you wake up Five then you engage on Yumba 11 p.m. Yes in a matana illa job on a fun at any scheme at the Guckstone M. Morini me anasema not really in a depend on a mka That Ali kufanya nini cut on a mka kwangalia notifications. Niko post nonsense How will you be successful? He ends that with a question. Thank you very much for everyone who sent their feedback away And participated in the conversation of the day Her on behalf of everybody who's made this possible We'd like to wrap this up shoutouts Salam Can I any shoutouts to send? I don't your best customer for last month. I'm salivating at a throne on youtube. Oh my best customer silvia Silvia shout to silvia for supporting the kenyan business Yeah, and of course my hubby And the hubby as well shout to the hubby and silvia for supporting Kenyan business. We appreciate you keep moving I'll give you another chance to tell them your social media handles and how they can Get to interact with you even case they want some fabric or in case they'd like to stock it with them Okay, uh, you can get us on facebook at venica lady And instagram at venica lady. We are we have a shop on gong road at reama place Um, we come to shop 48 What's up number is zero seven zero eight seven six two two five eight you can also reach us there Thank you very much fanis and uh, all the best Venica lady We wish you all the best. We are hoping to see you at the Nairobi Stock Exchange In future Yes As we have come to the end of entrepreneurship tuesday online in the morning on behalf of everybody who made this possible My name is by mosses and uh, we my co-host Is karanja alex i was about to say was but he's still here with me So on behalf of him as well i'll say bye. Bye tomorrow is quince wednesday my favorite day