We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Acsah Pietersen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Acsah below.

Acsah, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us a story about a time you failed?

I first attempted to start my business when I was 17 years old. I went to a market called the Jesmond Dean Market In PMB.
I stayed up all week making scrunchies excited to sell them on Saturday.
I only had a small table, a chalk sign, a scrunchie stand and a kiddy chair, no gazebo.
And that day it rained. I made zero sales and couldn’t pay my stall fee and I have never felt like such a loser in my life.

But fast forward to today, I have 800 followers on Instagram and over 3k likes and interactions on TikTok and over 400 orders packed and sent to customers in South Africa and some parts of the African region

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I studied fashion design, garment construction and trend for two years at a private college. I’ve always been passionate about art and design more than making clothing hence why in my small business I focus more on aesthetic and design. This has actually HELPED me discover what my design and art style really is.
I make accessories and keychains inspired Korean and Japanese kawaii culture! I introduce new products and designs gradually so that I can see how people react and respond to it befire going all in.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I funded my small business out of my own pocket! I needed money after college and I didn’t have a credit score, so the best way to get money without a credit score is to get a JOB. I love my job cause it helps me get stable income to fund my dreams!
Of coarse it pays the bills but you get what I mean!
I did research about starting a small business, I bought the basics like a gazebo and a table to sell at markets, packaging, mailer bags etc.
When I made sales or got orders, I would take that money and reinvest it into more things I needed. If there’s one thing I learnt is to START! Don’t get caught up in what you don’t have right now but rather what you can do to get what you need!

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

I’m currently doing g a challenge of posting content everyday on TikTok and Instagram and I’m currently on day 42 to see if it would help my business in anyway in terms of sales growth and brand visibility. It’s been really difficult making content every day because you have to continuously come up with new ideas however you need me understand my target market and who are marketing and how to be intentional about it. I’ve noticed that I’ve gotten so much growth on TikTok and Instagram in terms of engagement reach interactions but I still have a lot to work on when it gets to conversions because my conversion rate is still very low so I’m gonna keep working on that but it’s just a really big challenge that I’ve been working on and 42 days or something that I’m very proud of

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.acsahsthings.co.za
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acsahs.things?igsh=MW1icmZvYXB0ZmhnZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits

Isaac Lowis, Acsah Pietersen