Influences

Popular culture, fashion, hairstyles of contemporary African women, architecture of Pancho Guedes, which has an African feel, graffiti artist Banksy.

Advice to fellow entrepreneurs

It’s better to start early, make mistakes, learn and grow, than to start later in life when the responsibilities and risks involved are greater.

Owning your own business tests your character, endurance and perseverance. You must want to succeed badly — more then anyone else — even on the roughest days when you feel like you’ve dropped the ball and have no fight left. Passion fuels you and cannot be bought. Be true to yourself and do what you love. Be patient and don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t try to do everything at once — you’ll forget where you’re going, burn out and forget who you are. Inspiration starts at home. Be inspired by the place you come from before you try to conquer the world.

Best design moment

Aside from the Mr Price collaboration, a project with Smeg and Nando’s, designing textiles to celebrate Nando’s heritage applied on a limited number of Smeg fridges — a Nando’s instore giveaway as part of its 30th birthday.