Startup Story
Many entrepreneurs are born to create, and in Mozambique, Taíla Carrilho, co-founder of Ruum Gallery and founder of Atelier Taila Carrilho, is one such person. Her design talent has led her to co-found a creative gallery to showcase handcrafted design objects, and also her own fashion atelier.
LoA found out more about this creative entrepreneurial powerhouse that is Taíla Carrilho.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Taíla Carrilho and I was born in Maputo in 1984. I have a degree in Graphic Design from Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town. Coming from a family of artists, the taste for drawing, painting and singing soon began, and came naturally. Later came my passion for writing poetry and recently for declaiming which led me to participate in various exhibitions around Maputo. I co-founded Ruum Gallery, a creative gallery of handcrafted design objects using local materials. The design of these objects increases the need to create “artistic” pieces, in your image and with your DNA. Parts, objects, and items that may involve combined, utilitarian, and innovative products.
I am also the only female member of the Mozambican rap band D.R.P, being one of the founding members and producer of some of the first projects. In 2018, I founded CONFORME with the help of friends and family. It is a platform that aims to raise awareness and education about sickle cell anaemia in Mozambique, a condition I myself was born with. In 2020, I embarked on another journey and founded the Atelier Taíla Carrilho, a creative studio where I create the most exquisite pieces of fashion accessories, all handmade in Mozambique.
“We have a passion for what we do, and we try to make sure that every piece tells a story, its own story.”
When did your start your business?
Ruum Gallery and Atelier Talia Carrilho in 2020.
What does your company do?
It all started when my co-founder and I randomly found each other in Mozambique. I was coming from Cape Town where I studied Multimedia and Production Design. She was coming from a very different background in Portugal, where she specialized in Industrial Design. Coincidently, we were both born in Mozambique. Coming from such distinct backgrounds, we were both used to having all the tools and equipment needed for our projects. We were feet away from specialized training and all the help we could get. By meeting in Mozambique and being Mozambicans, it made sense to us to join our forces in order to give a form to a dream. Our dream. So, we started to design a few pieces that would capture our essence, expressing our personal vision of functionality, simplicity, and aesthetics. Never forgetting our heritages, our cultures.
We found a little garage in the backyard of a former militant combatant. Without thinking twice, we started to build, from scratch, our first worktable under a mango tree. We knew it wouldn't be easy because the reality was a different one. We didn't have the specialized hands to join us. We didn't find the tools we needed at our feet. But we didn't stop there. We started to go ourselves to the communities to look for the best quality wood we could find. We went to various arts and craftsmen to learn different relations of form and function to feed our academic background with the local sources. We went to source waste, looking for exquisite pieces from years and years ago that would bring the individual touch that we needed with the purpose to give a soul to each and every piece we made. So basically, we are RUUM. Two young designers whom, by combining design, passion, and all forms of art, fabricate furniture and small pieces by hand and never on an industrial scale. Always looking to produce pieces so special they become timeless. Unique. Customized. Intimate.
“We keep on telling the story of our culture, our heritage, it’s mix with the contemporary world, and our vision for the future.”
What inspired you to start your company?
Everything around us inspires me. But for now, I specifically get inspiration from the 60’s, 70’s and pretty much everything around me, never forgetting my heritage and culture. Who knows what’s coming next?
Why should anyone use your service or product?
We do our absolute best to meet our client’s needs. We have a passion for what we do, and we try to make sure that every piece tells a story, its own story. Our pieces are mostly exclusive so we seldom have two pairs of the exact same design. Everything is handmade and with our hands. We keep on telling the story of our culture, our heritage, it’s mix with the contemporary world, and our vision for the future.
Tell us a little about your team
As part of our team, we have the most talented local sculptors, carpenters, locksmiths, metal, and wood workers. Our daily routine consists in giving them a vast amount of information on the areas mentioned above and combining our technical knowledge, our views of the world, artistic vision, and design touch, taking in consideration their need to improve and express their ideas.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
My family is a traditional family with traditional jobs. Because of my health condition, I figured I was going to have to fend for myself as no one would employ a person who gets sick basically every month. So, it automatically became my natural plan to follow.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
I want to grow and share with the world that in Mozambique we have fine, quality products to offer, made by our hands.
“I want to grow and share with the world that in Mozambique we have fine, quality products to offer, made by our hands.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The freedom to control my business.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Perseverance, focus and a lot of discipline.
Find out more
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL Tai.carrilho@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it….
It is always inspiring to see talented women rising above the challenges in their lives and finding their true vocation through entrepreneurship, and Taila Carrilho is certainly one such woman. She found her life’s passion in design and creativity, and also through entrepreneurship the vehicle to channel that passion and turn it into a viable business proposition. Her creativity and her tenacious approach are a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit, and her work is sure to excite all those who are looking to experience the best of Mozambican creativity in all its forms. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa