#WIB-Q&A With Serita Swart Owner Of Karoo Kids Clothing
1.Can you please tell us more about your business?
A. KAROO KIDS CLOTHING is an exciting new clothing brand of Urbane Karoo. The Karoo Kids children’s clothing range are made from quality khaki twill, denim and shwe-shwe fabric without compromising on comfortability and the activeness of playing children. Our slogan says it all: “fashion@play” in sizes from age 1 to age 6. We are located on a farm between the remote towns of Victoria West and Loxton in the Northern Cape, South Africa.
2. When, how and why did you start your business?
A. The initial business, Kxoxo Leather Designs, was formed in 2008. We specialize in the design and manufacturing of handmade African game- skin products. The business is till ongoing, but we work on custom-made orders only. Early in 2018, after a break of 2 years, I identified the potential of the Laslappies Co-op in Loxton.
The six ladies were highly motivated to become financially independent and were eager to learn. An intensive training period of three months followed and consisted of sewing techniques, as well as enterprise development. I firmly believe that we can make a difference in people’s lives through the transfer of skills. They now have an opportunity to fight poverty by becoming financially independent.
3. What is your role in the business?
A. Like in most micro businesses, I am the “Jack of all trades”. Apart from doing the designing and cutting, I am also responsible for the admin and marketing. I have a working partnership with the Laslappies Co-op to manufacture our top-quality children’s clothing range. After they have finished an order, they are free to take on other work and thereby still earn an extra income.
4. Where did you study and what did you study?
A. I didn’t have the opportunity to go and study after I have finished school. My mother-in-law actually taught me to sew and sparked my interest. I was already married and a mother of 3 young sons when I decided to study Pattern Cutting & Designs though INTEC College. It was quite a challenge, but I am proud to say that I am a trained Pattern Cutter & Designer with 27 years practical experience.
Much later in life I have completed a 3year business skills development course with the Old Mutual LEGENDS Programme. Various workshops from SEDA have been attended, such as Pre- and Post-Exhibition training, Quality Awareness, and Export Orientation. To keep up with technology, I have acquired some IT skills as well and recently attended a Digital Marketing Masterclass.
5. How do you finance your business?
A. I have financed the new Karoo Kids Clothing range with my own savings. However, in the past I have utilized the financial support of the DTI’s marketing opportunities for which I am immensely grateful.
6. Describe your average workday, is such a thing exists.
A. I am a very organized person and you will always find a “to-do-list” on the notice board!
Seriously, I like to plan ahead and will start with the things that need to be done at the top of the priority list. I prefer to do most of the cutting in the morning and in the afternoon, I tackle the admin.
7. How do you balance your home life and your work life?
A. It is a fine balancing-act to give your best in the business and not neglect your family. To be quite honest, I had a total break-down in 2013. Recovering from that made me realize that I cannot do everything myself and that I could not let my business take over my private life. I made a deliberate decision to slow down and spend more time where it really matters: with my family.
8. What drives you and inspires you?
A. What inspires me every day to do my best is a quote by Emma Bombeck:
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope not to have a single bit of talent left and I could say: I have used everything you gave me.”
9. Where and when do you have your best ideas?
A. By working with the fabric, by feeling it and touching it, by seeing how the different pattern pieces come together in a new design, makes me more creative.
10. Where and how do you market/advertise your business for sales?
A. Although digital marketing is trending, potential buyers still want to touch and feel the handmade items. Time and again I have heard the words: “I have never seen such quality.” 2020 was supposed to be a big marketing year for Karoo Kids Clothing, but unfortunately the covid pandemic had a negative impact on the launching of the range at shows and expos.
Karoo Kids Clothing have a fb page and you can shop online on the Karoo Kids Clothing website. As Kxoxo Leather Designs we have attended international and local shows as a proud participant of the South African Handmade Collection and the South African Craft Collective. Kxoxo Leather Designs have a website and fb page.
11. What is next for your business?
A. We have 3 international shows lined up for 2021 – Sydney, Florence and Melbourne. Locally, we have been invited to the SA Fashion Week and the NC Fusion Weekend to showcase the Karoo Kids Clothing range. I want to focus on new designs in the range and wish to collaborate with a marketing partner.
12. What advice would you give to female entrepreneurs hoping to start their own business?
- Be realistic in your expectations.
- Register your trademark.
- Be focused and work hard, without neglecting your family.
- Grab every opportunity to grow your business – if you don’t, somebody else will.
Short BIO:
I am the owner of Karoo Kids Clothing and a qualified Pattern Cutter & Designer with 27 years of experience in technical sewing. I have 12 years’ experience as a business owner and have completed various business skills training courses. I am an accredited mentor and coach with SEDA. I have developed a training programme to suit the needs of people with limited formal education.
I am passionate about my work and believe that I have a lot to offer in terms of life experience and just plain old-fashioned common sense!
I have three married sons and I have five grandchildren. My other great interest is music and I am the director of our church choir.
Contact information:
| mobile | +27 (0)82 637 9180 |
| workshop | +27 (0)53 004 0367 |
| info@karookidsclothing.co.za info@urbanekaroo.co.za | |
| https://www.facebook.com/Karoo-Kids-Clothing-113094863389430/ | |
| webpage | https://karookids.co.za/ |