Valentine Nekesa, is a 20 year-old founder and CEO of NEKESA QUEENS LIMITED. She got nominated for top 40 under 40 women in Kenya in 2017 where she was ranked at position 14. Valentine has also hosted 2 major fashion events as the MC that is; JW show and Mtindo Africa where Nekesa Queens Collections showcased. She was among last year’s Safaricom BLAZE winner and was able to release 3 cloth lines only 5 months after emerging the winner.
At only 20, Valentine has also managed to be a moderator at the Safaricom World of Work, Startup Now Africa, Africa Wear Entertainment and Uganda black hut forum.
Below is Valentine’s entrepreneurial story which she shared with Bizna Kenya today:
1. Tell us about yourself
My name is Valentine Nekesa. A 20 year old entrepreneur very passionate about fashion.
My passion for fashion is the main reason why I decided to run a cloth-line for specifically plus size women. We do both mass production and customized pieces.
2. Tell us more about Nekesa Queens Limited
My brand is known as Nekesa Queens Limited commonly known as Vdesigns. I founded the company in 2011 while i was still in high school. My passion for fashion grew from then up to now where my business is currently structured and functioning.
3. Has your life has changed since winning the BLAZE BYOB?
It’s true my life changed after BLAZE. Getting the spotlight means I cannot slack but rather have to make things happen. Winning also enabled and motivated me manage my workshop more effectively.
4. Did you learn any entrepreneurship lessons from the Safaricom’s BYOB?
I did get a lot of business skills, the major ones which I hold at heart are; your network is your net worth, actually my fast major clients were from blaze! I also learnt customer relations is very paramount, how I treat my clients determines whether they’ll come back or not. Another very important lesson I learnt is that in marketing, if you earn Ksh 10 spend Ksh 9 on marketing and Ksh 1 on the product production.
5. How different is your company from that of your competitors?
Vdesigns is a fashion house for plus size women whom we usually refer to as ‘trippleC’ (curvy, confident, chic). We sell a feeling and confidence. That’s what differentiates us from our competitors.
6. What have been some of your failures and mistakes, and what have you learnt from them?
My biggest mistake was not taking enough time to study my clients and their needs, something I now have on my finger tips.
7. What piece of advice would you give to anyone interested in venturing on a similar business as yours?
I would advice someone out there to research the market very well and totally avoid venturing into something you are not passionate about, because before the returns start coming what will hold you in that business?