Every business has a story; one filled with ambition, resilience, and countless lessons learned along the way. At QShop, we’re dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs, not just by providing an easy-to-use e-commerce platform but by amplifying their voices and celebrating their journeys. That’s why we launched Business Behind the QShop, a series that dives deep into the lives of QShop vendors, highlighting their experiences, challenges, and successes.

For our very first episode, we had the privilege of visiting Ms Alasiri Nurat, the owner of De Prominent Fashion House. It was an exciting experience, and from the moment we walked into her showroom, we knew this was going to be a story worth telling.

As we stepped into De Prominent Fashion House at 11 a.m., the colorful handcrafted bags lined the walls, each telling a story of craftsmanship and dedication. While setting up the cameras, lights and microphones, we chatted about her journey, her passion, and what it meant to her to be featured in this series.

We began filming by asking;

What inspired you to start your business, and what were your first steps?

When we asked this, she took a moment to reflect before answering.

It was during my holiday when I saw my cousin making bags. I fell in love with them immediately and asked her to produce some for me to sell when I return to school. She told me she was too busy with work but offered to teach me how to make them myself instead. She showed me how to make the bags and market them, and here we are today.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in the early stages, and how did you navigate them?

The biggest challenge at the inception of this business was finding the capital to invest into the business. Production materials and machines were so expensive and the cost increased regularly and I did not have enough finance for the business until I met someone who was able to lend me the capital I needed for the business. Since then, my business has been growing.

Can you walk me through a typical day in your business now?

The first thing I do as soon as I arrive at my workshop is to clean up and set out my machines for the day. Then I determine all I have to do for the day, knowing if I have to make a bag from scratch or not. I cut out my leather, set out my gum and sewing equipment and get to work.

How has QShop contributed to your business?

At this point in the conversation, we got to understand how QShop has made an impact in her business.

I have spent a lot of money trying to get a good website. So when I saw your Instagram Ad, I decided to look through the website packages you offer to know which one would work for my business. When I signed up, it was extremely easy for me to navigate. I have been making sales on the website and it has really improved my business because I no longer need to start sending pictures to customers because I can just give them my website link to go and check out what’s available. I also no longer stress myself about deliveries because it is all handled when customers shop on my website.

What’s one business milestone that makes you particularly proud?

Every entrepreneur has a moment when they realize, I’ve made it this far. Ms Alasiri Nurat smiled at this question before saying:

Last year, I created a collection that boosted the visibility of my business because it (the collection) was centered around a celebrity who I love dearly- Iyabo Ojo. She got to hear about my collection and loved them so much that she asked me to send her some pieces which she posted on her social media page with millions of followers. What she did instantly took my business from 100 to 1000 .

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to entrepreneurs just starting out?

Finally, we wrapped up with a question every aspiring business owner would find valuable.

Business is not easy but my advice to aspiring business owners is for them to be patient, consistent, prayerful, fully understand the industry of the business, and finally, have a lot of passion for that business. What keeps me going in my business is the fact that I have passion for making things with my hands so I am able to fully navigate any challenges that come my way.

As we packed up our gear and said our goodbyes, we couldn’t help but feel inspired. This wasn’t just a business story, it was a testament to the grit and determination of African entrepreneurs. With Business Behind the Shop, we want to do more than just showcase products. We want to highlight the people behind the businesses, their struggles, their victories, and their dreams.

In showcasing the Business Behind the QShop, we’re proud to be part of these stories. We’re here to provide the tools, but ultimately, it’s the entrepreneurs who make the magic happen. Ready to join the list of African entrepreneurs doing great things? Your business deserves to be seen. Start your journey with a QShop website today. Visit QShop.tech to take your business online for free now!