Meet Margaret Kadi

May 2, 2011 in Fashion

Founder
Project Sierra Leone

Project Sierra Leone retails ethically made accessories produced by artisans from Sierra Leone.

Based in Freetown, Sierra Leone, the company was founded by Margaret Kadi in November 2010.

Project Sierra Leone fulfils Margaret’s personal dream of working within the fashion world, embracing and reconnecting with her African heritage and strengthening local communities.

Why did you decide to start your company?
Project Sierra Leone started as a result of the hardship that faces a lot of people in Sierra Leone, especially women. I went to Sierra Leone on holiday in April of last year after being away for 17 years. The first thing that hit me was the fact that the country had a lot of skilled people who dedicated themselves to what they made, but the problem was that there was no real market for their products.

As a result, my company evolved as a way of fulfilling a personal dream – of working within the fashion world, embracing and reconnecting with my African heritage, as well as strengthening our local communities.

What was your career path prior to starting your first business?
I have always worked in the media industry. I was at MTV for three years where I worked in finance for a year and then moved to production where I was a floor manager for two live shows. After that I worked at Sky Sports for three years as a PA to the Director of Operations. I am now at Discovery Channel where I am PA to the Vice President.

Did you always know that you would start your own business?
It never occurred to me to be honest and I suppose it was more a case of out of sight out of mind. Also I have always had a very busy work and family life so it was never in my plans. Nevertheless, I now believe that I have found my path in life.

How did you identify the artisans Project Sierra Leone works with and where are they based?
I visited one of the crafts markets and came across a team of women making beautiful beaded products like placemats and clutch bags. I was amazed by this as I could see their passion whilst making these products. I therefore decided to work with them and came up with designs and phrases for my placemats and clutch bags.

What we eventually ended up with were different sized beaded clutch bags, raffia bags and funky placemats. I also work with three local tailors who make all the Project Sierra Leone tailored kaftans.

All the artisans I work with are based in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, and I was lucky in that I met most of them at the same time. I find this quite useful because I also live in Freetown so it is easy for me to see them on a daily basis and deal with problems as and when they arise. I currently work with a handful of artisans and tailors, but I hope to expand this workforce when I eventually move back to Sierra Leone in June. I also intend to visit different villages to try and find some more gifted men and women who will otherwise never get their wares seen by anyone other than their families.

Tell me more about your current collection, do you have a bestseller?
Our current collection is full of colour as the African textiles we use for our kaftans are quite bold! Think orange, pink and Gold. The kaftans are all lovingly braided around the neck, sleeves and pockets for extra detail and the fabrics are all 100% cotton.

Our bags on the other hand are all handmade and they are all lined in African fabric. The collection as a whole is very intricate, fun and very wearable. The bestseller is the Union Jack clutch bag in the traditional colours. It is so striking as the beads just give it that extra dimension.

What are you working on at the moment and can you describe your typical working day?
I am trying to finish our website so that is one of my main concerns at the moment. Project Sierra Leone is focusing on wholesale orders so I am sourcing stockists at the moment as well.

I leave the house at 7.30am to get to work at 8.45am. As I work in an environment that is constantly changing I always have to be on the ball. My day job finishes at 5.30pm and then I get home about 7pm. I then turn on my laptop to deal with emails and enquiries about Project Sierra Leone.

I make calls to Freetown to check on orders or try and sort of problems over the phone which is not ideal! I spend a lot of time on Skype as I get to still connect with my team while I am not there. I normally work till about 11pm.

What have been the highlights of running your own business?
I wear “different hats” in order to get things done so I think the exposure we have received so far has been more than I ever expected. I have been exposed to a completely new industry and it’s allowed me to meet different people that have been a great help along the way.

What is the hardest part of running your own business?
Trying to get instructions across is a challenge sometimes. I enlisted the help of a friend to help oversee production of the last order I had whilst I was away and it was not the easiest thing to do. I am a stickler for detail and I had to ensure that I got my point across without coming across as rude or ungrateful.

What has been your proudest business moment so far?
I think it would be a culmination of everything so far. I astound myself every time I achieve something to do with Project Sierra Leone whether it’s something as simple as choosing the right fabrics to getting a great write up in a newspaper or magazine.

How do you maintain a work/life balance while running your business?
It is hard sometimes but I am blessed in that my husband is very supportive of what I do. He helps me with all the number crunching so that is very handy. I always run everything by him as I appreciate his advice more than anyone else.

Setting up Project Sierra Leone has been quite consuming so I don’t see my family as often as I would like to but they are also understanding of the sacrifices I am making.

What, or who, inspires and motivates you?
We all like to feel accepted and wanted so when people commend what you do then it can be quite inspiring, it just makes it all worthwhile. I am inspired by people that are go-getters. I think we are all scared of the unknown but sometimes you just have to believe in your abilities.

I admire people that are sticklers for manners and morals like my father. He instilled these traits in me from an early age.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering starting a fashion business?
Make sure you do your research; it is not an easy business at all. Start off with achievable goals and then expand your portfolio. Initially you will need to devote all your time to your business as you will be the designer, PR person, web designer etc! Enlist the help of your friend in any way they can.

Fast forward five years, where do you think your business will be in 2016?
I hope we would have a few workshops in Freetown where my artisans and I will be working under the same roof. I also hope we would have expanded our product portfolio considerably and to have a presence in the UK and beyond.

* * * *

For more information on Project Sierra Leone visit www.projectsierraleone.com. You can also find Project Sierra Leone on Twitter and Facebook.

* * * *

Margaret Kadi was interviewed by Octavia Goredema, founder of the Twenty Ten Club.

The Twenty Ten Club is an award-winning networking organisation for Black female entrepreneurs. You can also find Twenty Ten Club on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.