The global market for beautifully made, colorful and fun baby clothes that are loved by babies and moms alike is growing, and particularly in Africa. Tapping into that growing market opportunity is South African entrepreneur, Yolie Thela, founder of GloryBaby, with her proudly South African prints brightening up the wardrobes of babies across the country and the continent.
LoA found out more about this proudly South African print ambassador, creating practical and beautiful clothes for fashionable babies
What does your company do?
We sell African print inspired baby clothing which is proudly manufactured locally. Our chosen fabrics that we use are 80% southern African prints as we want to show the rest of the continent and the world at large our South African indigenous fabric prints.
"Our chosen fabrics that we use are 80% southern African prints as we want to show the rest of the continent and the world at large our South African indigenous fabric prints."
What inspired you to start your company?
I got inspired by the prospect of seeing the fashion industry slowly being saturated by African prints and thought it would be awesome to start teaching our kids about embracing their culture and heritage at an early age through fashion. I also got inspired by the fact that since I don't have kids of my own that I can create clothes for, why not expand my thinking and vision and do it for every African child out there.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
People must buy our product because it is of good quality, it's custom made, locally made, and it will make your baby or child the centre of attention wherever they go!
"I thought it would be awesome to start teaching our kids about embracing their culture and heritage at an early age through fashion."
Tell us a little about your team
At the moment, my team consists of just myself as a solo entrepreneur, as well as my designer who helps put my vision on paper. The manufacturing of the clothes is done by a local company whom I have built great relations with.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
My entrepreneurial journey started about 5 years ago when I founded my events company which is still operating right now just maybe not at the level that I wish it could be. Nevertheless it is my passion and I'm still pushing hard for it to succeed at the most optimal level. I come from an entrepreneurial background of some sort as my parents used to own a tuck-shop when I was younger and also they ventured into the taxi business later on in life. That spirit of entrepreneurship could well have been passed on to me.
"My aspiration for my company is to make it a global children's fashion brand specialising in Southern African prints."
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
My aspiration for my company is to make it a global children's fashion brand specialising in Southern African prints. I want to be able to manufacture and supply my clothing to the rest of the continent and the world at large, showcasing our beautiful diversity of being South African.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The fact that I get to do what I love and am accountable to nobody except myself. The power of knowing I wake up and live my purpose driven life that God intended for me.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Just go for it, don't let fear hold you back as time waits for no man.
Contact or follow GloryBaby
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL info@glorybaby.co.za
Why LoA loves it….
In business, the key to success is always to find a niche, a gap in the market to explore, and an opportunity to bring something new into the product space that will appeal to customers. South African entrepreneur, Yolie Thela, is doing just that with her baby wear brand, Glory Baby, which is a clothing line proudly made in the country, and celebrating her love of African prints. The result is a visually appealing brand loved by moms and babies alike. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief of Lionesses of Africa