Whether relaxing in the pool or at the beach, everyone loves to look stylish. Ohana Family Wear Limited, the brainchild of Kenyan entrepreneur Neema Nkatha Kinoti, has just the answer, with her uber stylish range of swimwear. It celebrates African textiles and prints whilst at the same time providing comfort and chic.
LoA found out more about this great Kenyan swimwear brand this month.
What does your company do?
At Ohana, we design and manufacture swimwear created to celebrate African culture.
“Ohana Swimwear combines the latest fabrics, colours and prints to create modern designs influenced by emerging international trends, as well as the African culture.”
What inspired you to start your company?
Kenya did not have a swimwear brand that not only celebrates our culture but also empowers everyone by giving them a platform where everybody is featured, regardless of their body shape and size.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Ohana Family Wear Limited, through our flagship product Ohana Swimwear, combines the latest fabrics, colours and prints to create modern designs influenced by emerging international trends, as well as the African culture. This is what sets us apart from the other swimwear lines. We want each Ohana swimwear garment to be a real piece of art and to convey its inspirational side, as well as to challenge the senses. Hence why it’s a highly inventive luxury brand drawing inspiration from traditions and cultures.
“We want each Ohana swimwear garment to be a real piece of art and to convey its inspirational side, as well as to challenge the senses.”
Tell us a little about your team
My team is comprised of five members. I believe in the value of a small equipped team whereby everyone can focus on their talents and strengths. I decided to work with various friends I had encountered in different universities who were very talented in their own rights and were looking for an opportunity to create an impact, as well as a name for themselves. My team members believe in the vision of Ohana Family Wear Limited and they are what I am most proud of in my accomplishments so far.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I was a twenty-three-year-old final year student at United States International University- Africa at the time when I founded Ohana Swimwear. I studied finance and had working experience at Fusion Capital in the area of Investment and Fund management. I also worked with Versatile Insurance Agency as a sales agent. Through interaction with entrepreneurs both in the family and out there, I had been looking forward to developing my company. My opportunity came when I travelled with the family abroad two years ago and I saw how people are doing business and thought of how to add value to Kenya.
“I believe Ohana Family Wear Limited will be a household name in the country that not only serves to meet all your beachwear needs but also creates an impact in the lives of everyone associated with it.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
I believe Ohana Family Wear Limited will be a household name in the country that not only serves to meet all your beachwear needs but also creates an impact in the lives of everyone associated with it.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The ability to impact the society and inspire people to go for their dreams no matter what.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Just do it. You never know unless you try.
Contact or follow Ohana Family Wear Limited
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | EMAIL neemakinoti@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it….
The consumer marketplace is falling in love with great design that celebrates Africa’s joyous colours and traditional prints, and we see it increasingly making its way into the fashion space. So a natural progression is to see it influencing our swimwear and beachwear. Neema Kinoti has a great flair for design that harnesses the very best of African textiles and colours, creating uniquely eyecatching items that will make every wearer stand out from the crowd. We love this brand! --- Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief of Lionesses of Africa