We were lucky to catch up with Bernard & Jassmire Agyakwa recently and have shared our conversation below.

Bernard & Jassmire, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

We launched Bomu in Winter of 2022. Prior to this, we spent much of the last few years in a place of leadership, where we built teams and planned events for a non-profit organization. After stepping away from the organization, we felt like we were at a loss. So much time and energy had been invested into that season of our lives, and yet, we felt like many of the values and hearts that we led and created still had a place in our lives.

Reflecting on those years, it was evident to us that team building, event planning, and interior design weren’t just things we did out of the necessity of a role; each of these were things that we both had a deep passion for. In February of 2022, we traveled to Ghana, the country of Bernard’s birth. His parents had recently retired and were in the process of transitioning their lives. While in-country, we were instilled with visions for what a company could look like if we married our innate passions with the culture and history of Ghana. Soon after, a name dropped into our hearts: Bo Mu. This was from the Akan language spoken in Ghana, (Twi) meaning, “bring together.”

Another highlight of our trip was visiting communities of weavers, woodworkers, and artisans to source some of our home decor products. We had an opportunity to get a glimpse of the communities our business would impact. When we returned to the states, we focused on branding and tying all the pieces of the business together. Those areas are event planning, interior design and handmade goods.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

We are working young adults, and both maintain a career outside of Bomu. We live in the DMV area, which is a highly debated geographic area around Washington, D.C. We also got married recently, in the thick of Covid (Oct 2020) and built a home in Frederick, MD, way outside said geographical area. With the Bomu, though an unusual combination for one business, our three disciplines are: interior design, event planning, and handmade home goods. These areas fully represent our team’s expertise and ability. We help program and orchestrate the moments in life that mean the most. Guided by our clients, we deliver quality resources that curate the expressed vision of those we serve. From weddings, to small gatherings, to corporate events, we create what you envision. We take the same approach with our interior design, elevating spaces and creating livable designs that grow with our clients.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

With our handmade goods, we use Etsy, Squarespace, and Square in-person at pop-ups to process orders, coupons, and run sales. We have found that a multifaceted approach, while time consuming, gives us the best opportunity to reach clients with our products and services. It’s helpful that platforms like Square and Squarespace have cross integration so that you can benefit from what each platform does best.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

Since our business ranges from goods to services, we have made a concerted effort to meet and grow our clientele in many different avenues. Instagram was the first and main point of contact for us in growing our reach and staying connected with our clients. We recently launched a TikTok account to showcase a more personable side of the business with behind-the-scenes content and fun activities that may interest a wider audience. This platform also presents a chance for our company to gain visibility from those who may not naturally be drawn to our business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thebomu.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bomu_co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bomu.co

Image Credits
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