Young Woman Makes Living Through Interior Design
Isaac Pinielo | Tuesday October 3, 2017 19:00
The Selebi-Phikwe-born woman turned her passion for the creative arts into a lucrative interior design business in 2014 after registering her company called Woodman Interiors.
“Creative arts is a big contributor towards Botswana’s economic diversification, thus our enterprise was mostly launched to grow and improve the design sector here at home,” Woodman said.
She said her business provides “quality, functional interior design solutions”, adding that her interior decoration accessories and upholstery or fabrics are mostly sourced from South Africa.
“We use local manufacturers like House of Rue and Chobe Design for furniture. They make our designs come to live, as well as Builders Warehouse, which is my personal favourite one-stop hardware,” she said.
Since inception, she said her design firm has operated to this date without any funding, noting that when the time comes to expand her product range, she knows many doors which are open, ready to assist with financing their expansion.
According to Woodman, as a small enterprise, they had little means to afford marketing needed for their targeted clientele.
“Our good designs overcame this challenge. We paid attention to detail to each project tasked, big or small. Eventually our completed projects brought the firm new clients,” she said.
She however indicated that she is facing stiff competition from other interior design firms such as Val Interiors and Sasa Interiors. On the other hand, she said both these firms are her inspiration as an entrepreneur.
“Being distinctive is our master plan in providing the market with efficient, impeccably tasteful designs and diversifying design services locally,” Woodman said.
Also, she said knowing the market, industry, packaging and selling products and services are also key factors.
“I am now focusing on all aspects that shall grow Woodman Interiors to a more refined brand,” she said.
She mentioned that technology shall make a huge improvement in the business world mostly in communication, noting that sharing ideas, illustrations via mobile phones makes trading convenient for both the sellers and buyers.