You can learn what you don’t know but you can’t teach someone how to love their job.
Ian Mati never thought he would end up as a fashion entrepreneur. In fact, circumstances pushed him to go into the apparel industry after another failed business venture which had gotten him into debt.
The Founder and owner of Vintara Collections - a bag and accessory brand shared his journey on how he got into the business and how continuous learning is akin to growing your business.
Introduce yourself
My name is Ian Mati and I have been an entrepreneur for the last 6 years. I studied Economics at the University of Nairobi but when I cleared, I immediately got into business. I love traveling and interacting with different people to understand their culture and beliefs. I am also very passionate about mental health for Entrepreneurs. I am the founder of Vintara Collections, a bag and accessory brand that currently focuses on the production and sale of functional and quality bags using ethnically inspired fabric that creates cultural connection and evokes elegance.
What made you go into the apparel industry?
I would say I got into the space by luck. I was running a small events company that didn’t perform well and got me into debt. I was trying to figure out how I would pay my debt when I met someone who used to sell shoes made from Kitenge fabric. I bought a pair and immediately my friends started asking me where I got that pair. It's at this point that I realized there’s a market for these unique products.
How long has Vintara Collection been in business and how has it been so far?
We’ve been in operation for almost 6 years and it’s been filled with quite a lot of ups and downs. The company has so far serviced about 3000 retail customers and 12 corporate customers. The retails clients include a distributorship that we have in Australia through a company called Red Orchid.
You majorly concentrate on African-inspired clothing. Do you feel African corporates are embracing African wear as official clothing as opposed to western-style suits?
Vintara has majorly focused on bags using African Fabric and I can say corporates are slowly embracing the African culture for their corporate merchandise and gifts to their clients. We have worked with different corporates to design their conference bags and gift bags. Some of these corporates are Safaricom, Airtel, USAID, Coca-Cola, Belva Digital and National Bank.
How has the market taken up your product? What are your numbers so far if you don’t mind sharing?
We have grown our business from 500 customers to 3000 customers cumulatively. This has shown us that we can still introduce new unique products and they can still sell. We sell our bags via multi-channels which include; social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. We have also partnered with Beth international to sell our products at the duty-free shop at JKIA which is a prime market for our products. We also have another partnership with a shop at Yaya Centre called inside Baobab.
In your experience what spurs business growth?
I would say understanding your customer is the most important thing. It will enable you to produce products that are simple to use and serve their needs. Now more than ever, customer experience is very important. You may have a bad product but your customer experience can make clients come back. Now you can imagine if you had both.
Any business is as strong as its team. How do you choose the people you work with and those who work for you?
I would say for me I look at someone’s enthusiasm for the job they are trying to seek. You can learn what you don’t know but you can’t teach someone how to love their job.
We experience burn-out from time to time; how do ensure you stay in your element as an entrepreneur?
I take regular breaks these days. The other way is to find something that you like to do that makes you happy, for me, that’s traveling, visiting new restaurants and hanging out with friends.
How would you predict the future of the African apparel industry?
There’s a lot of potential in this space. Initially, fashion was deemed to be a luxury for the rich but now everyone is cautious about what they wear and who made it. We will see a crop of new designers and amazing designs that will be sold locally and internationally.
You have very admirable business training such as Growth Africa, Ongoza Africa, Oracle Consulting. What is the importance of learning as an entrepreneur?
I normally say that your business grows to the level of your mind. You have to continue learning so that once you expand your knowledge then your business grows too.
What impact did the studies have on how you do business?
I think my degree just expanded my way of thought. It’s important to study because it will definitely change your thinking. It may not help in your business but you will stand out because of your studies.
How would you describe your leadership style?
I would say I am empathetic. I like to empower my team members to grow themselves so that they can create solutions to their own problems. I also love teaching. I take time to sit with my team members and share some of the things that have made me who I am.
Give us one quote that keeps you going
Currently, I would say, a day at a time. You may have a long-term strategy but take it a day at a time. After Covid-19 we realized that plans can come tumbling down so you just have to be ready to change things when need be.
