Born in a family of three. Raised by a strong and entrepreneurial woman. Meet Chioma Ukpabi, the founder of Kahdsole Designs, a woman that knows what starting from the bottom means.
She is a young woman who prides herself in changing the narrative about made in Nigeria products.
Chioma is one of the High Growth Coaching Program’s finalists . We sat her down for a conversation and here is what she had to say.
“Opening my inbox and seeing mails from young ladies across Africa who write to
me about the inspiration they get from me keeps me inspired to always want to keep going.”
– Chioma Ukpabi
Tell us a bit about yourself and how did you get to this point?
I was born in Owerri, Imo State and was raised by my late grandma who was a business woman. I had my basic education at Lighthouse Startright High School and did my tertiary education at Bowen University.
Growing up with my grandmother made me love and appreciate entrepreneurship. That is why after school I decided to launch my own company with the little savings I had instead of waiting for a job. The journey hasn’t been all rosy but we keep thriving. I used to shy away from people when I was younger but now entrepreneurship has brought out the extrovert in me.
Have you always been entrepreneurial, what led you to taking that first step and setting up your own business? Share your journey.
I didn’t want to be an entrepreneur but after my university education, I couldn’t sit around waiting for a job. So I had to make use of the knowledge I got from my grandmother who was a successful business woman to kickstart my brand and there has been no regret ever since.
What would you say has contributed to the success of your business?
Always showing up even when I feel less motivated and utilising all platforms I have access to sell our brand.
Share with us, what your business does?
Kahdsole Designs is a leather product manufacturing company that makes quality shoes, belts, bags and other leather accessories. We never compromise on quality and always give the best value for money.
What would you like to be remembered for? What legacy do you want to leave in this world?
I want to be remembered as someone who massively contributed in changing the narrative about made in Nigeria products by keeping to these three values; quality, integrity and excellence.
What key activities would you recommend entrepreneurs to invest their time in?
Effective delegation is one crucial activity I would encourage entrepreneurs to invest their time in. It will save them from burnout in their journey.
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