[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] So many people go for the American dream, but the founders of Wilson’s Juice are of a different opinion. They believe that the Nigerian dream is alive, strong and valid. In their words to CNN, ‘In Nigeria, you can have a Naira and a dream’.
The Wilson’s Juice Company was created in 2010 with a starting capital of just ₦2000 ($10) by 2 brothers, Seyi and Seun Abolaji. This company has since turned to a very lucrative business for the brothers… [/dropcap]
Continue reading
African Black Soap: The History, Components and Benefits
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] Did you know history has it that the African Black Soap originated from the Yorùbá tribe of Nigeria? The Yoruba people call black soap ‘ose dúdú’. Ose means soap while dúdú means black… Hence how the black soap got its name.
The African black soap has also been traced back to Yorùbá communities in Benin and some communities in Togo. This soap can be used to treat so many different types of skin conditions. Let’s learn more… [/dropcap]
Continue reading
The Gentrification of Lagos Island
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] Lagos Island is like a gold mine being sat on. It can be the focal point for promoting our history and culture, raking in major revenue through tourism for the government and private sector; this can be a plausible solution to the Naira hyper inflation… [/dropcap]
Continue reading
Code Camp For African Teenagers
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] Code Camp Africa is here to teach teenagers how to code and create apps from an early age. The best time for learning and assimilation is at this stage.
This is the opportunity the organizers of Code Camp Africa have seized to build the mind of teenagers for coding. They are preparing teens to use technology to solve problems.[/dropcap]
Continue reading
Community and Networking Builds Business Stronger
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] The importance of community and networking in growing a strong business has been overlooked for quite some time now.
Community chiefly entails supporting and interacting positively with other individuals who share a vested interest.
While competition is healthy for business, it is also important to forge bonds that will last decades, even generations. If not, who are you doing business with then? [/dropcap]
Continue reading
Youth Entrepreneurship Training and Competition by NIDO UK South
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] Entrepreneurship is a very big part of growing an economy. It is important youths learn and adapt the concept of entrepreneurship at an early stage.
In light of this, the NIDO UK South is inviting youths to their 2 day Youth Entrepreneurship Training and Competition. This will hold on the 25th and 26th of July 2016, at the International Conference Centre Abuja from 10am to 5pm. [/dropcap]
Continue reading
Going Natural? What You Need To Know
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] Natural hair has gotten a lot of hype in recent times and some people just can’t understand why everybody is all psyched about it. Let me just say it’s a common misconception that going natural is a new thing.
You see, natural hair has been a very significant part of our African heritage since time immemorial. I mean, there was no relaxer in existence all those time and our ancestors got their hair going fine and happy. But maybe not so happy sha (means: though), if you think of the stress involved in working the kinks in the hair.
If you’re thinking_ ‘common Nike, that’s far-fetched now’_ OK, let’s move a little closer to present times, I’m sure you definitely agree there are people whose religion prohibits them from get their hair relaxed right? And still they keep their hair well and even sometimes fashionably.
What am I driving at? Fear Not!!! [/dropcap]
Continue reading
Give Your Home A MitiMeth Makeover
Early this year, I visited an Ibibio family home and was completely blown away by their home decor. They had really cool wicker furniture, which gave their living room a certain traditional essence.
After my visit, I kept wishing I could get some hand crafted furniture for my home too. Then a friend told me I can get some in the local markets.
Sincerely, I was utterly disappointed when I visited Eko Market. I did find the handcrafted home decoration items like baskets, little flower stand and whatnots but, the finishing was not good at all and I just wanted more creativity.
I got busy with other things and totally forgot about my desire for a home make-over by using handicraft till about a month ago.
Since am more of an online shopper, I got Googling and voila! I found MitiMeth listed as one of Bellafricana’s verified merchants (this was before I joined Bellafricana). Man!! I was ecstatic.
The finishing was perfect and you could see that a lot of creativity has been put into it. Another part that I really liked is how durable this products look. Brings to mind what we said about craftsmanship in one of our previous posts.
Get to Know The Home Decor Craftswoman
So, you know this popular English proverb that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”?
This couldn’t be truer; in fact it has proven to be the gold mine of one of our verified craftswoman Achenyo Idachaba.
Achenyo Idachaba is the founder and CEO of MitiMeth, a company that specializes in making quality handicrafts from dried water hyacinths.
The concept of reuse, reduce and recycle is still very foreign to many Nigerians. I am particularly among the few Nigerians who rave for conservation of resources. Back when I was studying Botany, one of my lecturers, Prof Okusanya usually say conservation is more like using resources wisely.
Not everything needs to be thrown away. There are actually a lot of great things that can be done with things tagged ‘waste’.
MitiMeth CEO went several steps further into the conservation chain and started making eco-friendly handicrafts from waste.
They have really cool variety of items that can be used either as home decorations or gift items.
Here are some of their products
So I finally went for a tyre Ottoman, and some loom woven hyacinth pillows.
I’m thinking of getting some other items to transform my work space too. I really love the comfortable feeling I get from seeing furniture at work, that are similar to the ones I have at home.
*whispers* Need the boss’s approval on most though.
Are you looking to give your home a makeover too? Wouldn’t it just be absolutely lovely go home to beautiful and comfy products by MitiMeth. Click to view their page on our verified listing.
And if you really love working from home like I do, you might also consider sprucing up your work space with two or three items from the collection of uniquely crafted home and office decor by MitiMeth.
You can also get the notebooks made by MitiMeth to use as souvenirs for different types of event.
Thank you for your time darling Bella, if you have used one of MitiMeth products kindly tell us about your experience in the comment box below.
Or do you make remarkable Afrocentric products too or know someone who does and needs to get global recognition? Checkout our Get Verified page and follow the easy steps to joining our growing list of verified quality craftsmen in Africa.
Craftsmanship: Why Quality is Key
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] Craftsmanship has so many different definitions and many people give their own personal meaning to it too.
Although following standard definitions, we see that the Macmillan Dictionary defines craftsmanship as the beautiful or impressive quality of something that has been made using a lot of skill. Also, Oxford Dictionary says craftsmanship is the quality of design and work shown in something made by hand; artistry. [/dropcap]Continue reading
Craftsmanship: Why Quality is Key
Craftsmanship has so many different definitions and many people give their own personal meaning to it too.
Although following standard definitions, we see that the Macmillan Dictionary defines craftsmanship as the beautiful or impressive quality of something that has been made using a lot of skill. Also, Oxford Dictionary says craftsmanship is the quality of design and work shown in something made by hand; artistry.
You see, even the dictionaries are rooting for quality in craftsmanship.
Generally any product of low quality is as good as being a scam. It wets the appetite of the buyer and then disappoints them almost immediately.
When your work is of good quality, it speaks well for you and your business. The age old word of mouth referral comes to play too.
Now dear Bellas, like most of you already know, we at Bellafricana have always been about quality. Too much emphasis cannot be placed on how important it is for products to be of high quality. Listed below are some more benefits of having good quality craftsmanship.
Benefits of Good Quality in Craftsmanship
- Trustworthiness: If your craft displays good quality. Your buyers will trust every type of product coming from your brand. Your brand will be respected wherever it is seen.
- Increased Sales: More and more people will want to use what you make. Before you know it, you will become a household name.
- Lower Refund Rate: You will record lower rate of refunds if your product is of high quality. There will be lesser occasions of customers returning their purchases due to defects or whatnot. This in addition to increased sales will bring you more profit at the end of the day.
- Growth: With more sales you can begin to venture into expansion. Once you’re able to satisfy your immediate customers, your products can start making its way into the international markets. Plus to successfully make it into these international markets, you need to pass certain quality controls and checks and be verified to be fit for international trade.
- Referral: When you’ve done your part in ensuring the quality of your craft and also have good customer service, your product becomes more marketable. Also, your customers will market for you.
What Can Be Done To Ensure Quality in My Craftsmanship?
Here are a few tips;
- Be Thorough: Having a highly respected brand doesn’t come by snapping your fingers. You have to be ready to put in good work. Select good materials for your work, use the right tools. Make sure everything goes where it’s supposed to, when it should. Make sure you have neat finishing also and then check it all again to be sure it is up to standard.
- Consider Setting Up Quality Assurance Process: Quality assurance to me is just like when you proofread your write-ups to be sure there are no errors. It’s a follow up to being thorough, when you imbibe the same technique into your craft, there will be attention to details.
- Be Passionate: When your love for your work exceeds the thought of the stress going into it, you’re halfway to producing quality crafts.
- Get Verified: Many times we don’t notice our flaws or the flaws in our work until they are pointed out to us. At Bellafricana, we help our clients see the flaws that they’ve probably missed. Getting verified helps guaranty the quality of your craftsmanship and more buyers are assured they are buying quality products from you. To start your verification process, checkout our Get Verified page to see the steps to follow.
We hope to see more and more quality craftsmanship in Africa. Let us bring pride to our motherland.
Thank you for your time Bellas, remember to tell share with your friends and family.
We want to hear back from you. If you find this article useful, kindly leave a comment below.