Startup Story
One Rapelana is the award-winning founder, designer, and creative director of Xita, a specialist accessory brand in Botswana. What began as a hobby in 2015 evolved into a full-fledged company in 2018, with One focusing on ethically sourced leather accessories, primarily jewellery and bags crafted from offcuts, remnants, and by-product leather. While One Rapelana outsources some aspects, including collaborating with women artisans for cotton bags used in packaging and branding, she remains a one-woman show, personally crafting each product and overseeing all aspects of the company. Armed with a degree in Marketing and Management, she is also a self-taught graphic, web, and brand designer. Her work has garnered recognition, featured in Glamour SA magazine, and her products were showcased at the Brooklyn Museum store for the African Fashion Exhibition in 2023.
LoA spoke to One Rapelana about her ambitions for her brand and her entrepreneurial journey to date.
When did your start your business?
Commenced as a hobby in 2015 and transitioned into a full-time company in 2018.
“What inspired me to start my company was a powerful combination of boredom and curiosity. After completing my internship at a corporate company, I found myself yearning for a creative outlet.”
What does your company do?
Xita is a specialized accessories brand, focusing on crafting jewelry and bags. Our jewellery collection comprises of earrings, necklaces, and the latest addition, bracelets. Our range of bags includes statement clutch/belt bags and phone bags. We take pride in creating jewellery primarily from leather offcuts, now incorporating brass, while our bags are made from leather remnants, a byproduct of the leather industry
What inspired you to start your company?
What inspired me to start my company was a powerful combination of boredom and curiosity. After completing my internship at a corporate company, I found myself yearning for a creative outlet. This creative curiosity has been a part of me since childhood, where I engaged in various artistic pursuits, from making art and playing musical instruments to crafting clothes for my Barbie dolls. The initial spark came from deconstructing old clothing items and creating neckpieces. This humble beginning evolved into a fascination with working with leather, and now, with the upcoming collection, I'm excited to incorporate brass into my designs. The journey from tearing apart fabrics out of curiosity to exploring the intricate artistry of jewellery-making has been incredibly fulfilling and continues to drive my passion for what I do.
“What sets my business and products apart is a commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainability. The leather used in my creations comes from either ethically sourced offcuts or remnants, a byproduct of the leather industry, aimed at reducing waste.”
Why should anyone use your service or product?
What sets my business and products apart is a commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainability. The leather used in my creations comes from either ethically sourced offcuts or remnants, a byproduct of the leather industry, aimed at reducing waste. Additionally, I operate on a made-to-order basis, ensuring a more sustainable and responsible production process. Furthermore, my products are characterized by constant evolution. I'm always exploring new materials and expanding my product range. In the upcoming collection, I'm excited to introduce brass, a luxurious addition that enhances the elegance of my designs. Responding to customer demand, I'm also introducing bracelets to the collection, reflecting my dedication to meeting the preferences of both existing and potential customers. This dedication to innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction is what makes my business and products truly special.
Tell us a little about your team:
At the moment, I am a solo entrepreneur managing all aspects of my business. However, for the production of packaging bags made from cotton, I outsource women artisans.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
My entrepreneurial journey has been an unexpected adventure, given that I don't come from a traditional entrepreneurial background but rather from a creative one, rooted in the arts and design. Starting my own business happened almost accidentally, and I never initially saw myself in this role. It all began when I started making neckpieces for my personal use. Wearing them to events sparked interest, and when people inquired about them, I revealed that I had crafted the pieces myself. The surprise on their faces often turned into requests to purchase the pieces. I began by selling my creations at pop-up markets and later on to my own website and other stores. Operating a jewellery and leather product business in Botswana has its challenges, particularly due to limited access to raw materials and high import charges. Despite the hurdles, I persist and keep moving forward, and the fruits of my labor are gradually coming to life.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
In the future, I plan to work with more women artisans. Alongside this, I aspire to broaden my distribution channels, ensuring that my products reach a broader audience.
“My products are characterized by constant evolution. I'm always exploring new materials and expanding my product range.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The most satisfying aspect of being an entrepreneur is witnessing women from diverse corners of the world confidently and joyfully embracing my creations. Moreover, contributing to sustainability brings immense fulfilment, particularly through my commitment to producing made-to-order items and my collaboration with women artisans for crafting cotton bag packages. Ethically sourcing leather offcuts and remnants adds another layer to this satisfaction, knowing that our practices align with sustainable and responsible choices.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
The most significant advice I can offer to other women looking to start up is to trust your instincts and listen to yourself; your intuition is a reliable guide.
Additionally, leverage what you have at your disposal. You'll be surprised at what you can achieve with even limited resources, so never underestimate what you already possess.
It's also essential to embrace the idea that your initial product doesn't have to be perfect; starting with something rough around the edges is okay. Improvement comes with perseverance and continuous effort.
Contact or follow Xita:
Email: info@xitadesigns.com
Website: https://xitadesigns.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xita_designs/
Why LoA loves it…
They say that to succeed as an entrepreneur, you have to be curious, constantly seeking out opportunities, gaps in the markets, challenges that need solutions. One Rapelana was inspired to become an entrepreneur because of her own curiosity and her longing for a creative outlet for her design talent. Today, she is fulfilling her creative ambitions through her business and brand, creating sustainable accessories that appeal to her buyers. One is a great example of how following your curiosity can lead to entrepreneurial success. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa