Hey guys! I am finally back from my surprise sabbatical (I have always wanted to use
that word- don’t judge me). Anyways, how have you guys been since the last RSG
episode? I think I should have started by apologizing for not posting in a
looooooong while but no worries, make it up to you I will. As you already know,
with this blog series I aim to share my insight into the fashion industry from
a business and/or entrepreneurial stance. Maybe I have told you guys this again
and again but the fashion industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and of
all that annually, we in Kenya have not quite been on that pie chart significantly.
Maybe we are on the “others” label when it comes to this. I believe we can get
to that point where we stand alone on that chart.
Just like every serious endeavor you would ever take, as a
brand, among the most important things you should have clearly set out from the
get go is a vision for yourself and your brand… this is pretty much a no-brainer
but I have to state it clearly.
Why should you have a vision in the first place? Direction, that’s
why. Personally, whenever I focus on starting something, I look at where I want
it to head at the current moment and also where I want it to be in a couple of
years. This enables me to split the workload on how I will do this particular
task and when I want certain things to happen. Take for example BPAC Nairobi, I
wanted to start a streetwear brand but not focus on the local market as much as
I wanted to focus on the American, European and Asian markets. This was a hell
lot of work but having the vision I had, I was able to put all I had into launching
this brand online to the world.
No disrespect but as Kenyans we tend to hop on instead of
focusing on creating our own trends as much as we should be. Look at the
Dashiki trend, the older African generation has been rocking Dashiki since
forever and most of the younger people would be like “That’s way too ancient to
rock”, but now Chris Brown wears the same trend and 90% of the youth around
here will be on that band wagon. I’m not saying being trendy is wrong but part
of the reason young people do this is because even the clothing brands they
want to wear locally mostly behave in the same manner instead of finding their
niche. This is where vision kicks in. do you want your brand to be like every
other brand in Nairobi just placing your logo on every garment without even
caring about what garments you’re using or trying to carve a niche of your own
and aiming not only to take the Kenyan market by storm but also take on the
world?
I’m not particularly sorry about that rant. I think it’s well
deserved.
When it comes to setting a vision, it falls directly in line
with having goals for yourself and your brand. This is a cliche but it’s the best
advice you could ever get on goals: set short term and long term goals to work
with and also set realistic goals. Now, by realistic I don’t just mean goals
that you are comfortable with, take that risk and go wild. You never know what
could happen. If you are an entrepreneur then risk should be your second name
and especially in the fashion industry where it could take you years for your
vision to come into actuality.
I intended this post to be short and to the point. In summary:
1.
When starting a brand have a vision for it
2.
Divide vision and goals into short term and long
term objectives
3.
Aim for global goals instead of mere local goals
4.
If your dreams and aspirations don’t scare you,
they aren’t as big as they should be.
Cheers,
Rey
