Reaping the benefits of the Untapped Fashion Market
“What we wear tells the story of who we are or whom we want to be.” According to Google Arts and Culture, fashion is the second most important global economic activity in terms of trade intensity, employing over 57 million people in developing countries, with women accounting for 80 percent of the workforce.
“RK Beauty Shop” is strategically located across from the Gulu University Main Gate. A women’s clothing boutique opened four years ago to meet the increasing student demand for fashionable and affordable clothing. Clients can also get styling ideas from the beauty shop. Kobusinge is a fashionista who enjoys styling and combining different outfits to create one-of-a-kind looks for her clients.
When Kobusinge first arrived at Gulu University, she noticed that there was no fashion shop. Seeing a need in her community, she seized the opportunity and launched her first business, which later provided funding for her second venture, Scoop and Chill Café. Both businesses are running smoothly under her watchful eye.
New fashion trends have a huge influence on today’s youth, who want to be seen as trendy. With an increasing number of university students, a fashion shop is a profitable business because trends change and there is always a demand for new styles.
Clothes are neatly displayed on Body Mannequins as part of her morning routine, creating a more realistic and intimate idea of what that item will look like on the shoppers themselves or someone they are shopping for. The ability to see clothing modeled on a “human body” is critical to the overall decision-making process.
Fashion and Style provide a sense of freedom and expression for today’s youth. Having one’s own distinct personal style helps one maintain a positive self-image while also providing a service, personal development, and, most importantly, a significant amount of enjoyment.
Because of its location, Gulu provides fewer options for a fashion stylist like Kobusinge, whose products are sourced from Kampala. This increases her business costs which affect the prices of the items being sold.
Kobusinge employs one person to manage the current business, which sells clothes and shoes. She is proud of her first business because it provided funding for her second venture, Scoops and Chills Cafe.
Kobusinge, who studied Agri-Entrepreneurship and Communication Management at Gulu University, benefited from internship placements in local radio stations such as speak FM, where she learned editing and presentation skills. These experiences enhanced her communication skills and boosted her confidence, propelling her to brand herself and win a $1000 grant that she hopes will help her business ventures.
Kobusinge markets her products through digital platforms. Using social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram, she promotes her products to a larger online community, which helps to expand her market with their networks. This is beneficial to business, she says. The TAGDev Program encourages students to identify and solve community-specific problems. Personal development and expression are essential components of any graduate university experience. Kobusinge continues to overcome adversity to better herself and the community she serves. She continues to encourage her peers to invest in the business and provides assistance where she can.
These Stories are a result of the documentation from the RUFORUM and Mastercard Partnership under the TAGDEV Project, Gulu University: https://ruforum.wordpress.com/category/tagdev-project/
