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Founder@ Interview
Interview with Setsabile Mkhabela
“To just start. Start that blog, that newsletter, that tool, whatever it is that you are thinking of building. It is better to have tried to build your ideas than regret even trying..” – Setsabile Mkhabela
Today we feature Setsabile :Mkhabela, the founder at Boast-iD . We hear their story in their own words, their successes, their challenges and their insights.
Let’s start by getting to know you. Can you please tell us a little bit about you and what you do?
I am a tax accountant by profession with experience in startup development(helping startups launch and minor coaching), finance, and strategy. I have since moved on to start my own startup within retail with a focus on sustainability in the luxury/premium space in emerging markets
A great introduction and start to this interview. Can you please tell us, how did you start, from what age, and what made you decide to change direction and start?
The idea of Boast-iD started in 2020 at the height of lockdown in my country, after seeing so much panic and lack of direction I decided to act. I looked for ways to help creatives and artists cope with moving their services online, from highlighting emerging artists, teaching about selling online, and helping develop websites.
From my own research(when I decided to live a move sustainable and clean lifestyle), I noticed there was a gap in the market for emerging sustainable brands in the luxury space, especially from emerging markets. After doing some research I concluded that the market hasn’t made enough room for sustainable brands and how they operate.
In Mid 2021, I decided to pivot Boast-iD to cater to these brands. We aren’t only a selling channel but also a learning platform, content platform, and tailor-made store options.
Thank you for that insight. So can you tell us…What does your business do and where is your company based?
We are a platform that caters to emerging sustainable and impactful brands in the luxury and premium space. We cater to brands from emerging markets that support causes with the SDGs. We are based in Southern Africa with brands across the global south and some with production hubs in Africa and South Africa
What’s the story behind your success? What led to your aha moment? how did you get to where you are now?
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Success…I think we are still a long way from that but we enjoy our little victories and the amazing people who have supported us from the very beginning.
Every time I get to speak to a brand and find out what sustainability means to them I am blown away and inspired by the amazing things so many people are doing in the world. These are the moments I know I am on the right track as I am helping others.
Thank you for sharing that. What’s been your life’s biggest lesson so far?
I have learned that patience is your friend. I know as founders we are expected to get results immediately but part of the fun is watching something you created to grow with all the difficulties that are life.
That marketing and sales are integral to survival and it might be more import than product fit
If you were to go back in time, what piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
Definitely do your research. I dove head first into my startup and as much as I figured things out, it was a lot of pain that could have been avoided.
We’re nearly halfway through our interview so it’s a great time to ask how does your business run. What three tools make your business run better?
We bank mostly on social tools such as Twitter, Instagram, and Google Ads to spread the word. We also love using Evernote and our platform is built on WordPress
What do you know now that you wished you had known before?
That marketing and sales are integral to survival and it might be more important than product fit
What has been your greatest or proudest achievement or moment?
My proudest moments are the moments that our brands grow and our small
What future life goals do you want to achieve and why?
I want to grow Boast-iD to be the best platform for emerging sustainable brands. where designers and students can learn from each other, connect and create sustainable collections with the same quality and refinement that we have come to expect from luxury brands. We need to provide a sustainable alternative to fast collections while creating space for underrepresented designers
To finish our inspire questions…”We believe that sharing inspiring words can inspire others.” If there was one positive thing you would say to someone to inspire and empower them what would it be and why?
To just start. Start that blog, that newsletter, that tool, whatever it is that you are thinking of building. It is better to have tried to build your ideas than regret even trying.
“Thank you it has been great learning more about your founder story and Boast-iD “
To learn more about Boast-iD Visit www.boast-id.com
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