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

Alright, Gloria thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

MOO. stemmed from a realization that I was placing my worth in all the wrong people and places. I had a moment to look inward and truly discover who I am outside of someone or something else. I did not want to tie my purpose to a relationship, career or the acceptance of others. There had to be more to life that could truly move my heart and true value to the world. It was then that my self-discovery led me back to my African roots. Back to my identity. I rediscovered my passion and interest for artisanship within the African continent. The vibrancy and uniqueness of each and every piece. It was in this moment that I realized that i could also create a sense of self-worth and empowerment among my people and throughout the continent.

Gloria, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a Ghanian-American with an appetite for digital marketing, branding and project management within the luxury beauty and fashion sector. I obtained my masters in Luxury Brand Management from ESSEC Business School in France and have worked as a digital marketer, producer and project manager for brands. I have always worked in a corporate role or provided assistance to friends that are starting their own brands. However, I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur and build a brand that truly makes an impact within the African communities. . After mustering up the courage to bet on myself and not let fear deter me from accomplishing my dreams, I started reaching out via social media to artisans throughout Africa to see if they would be interested in collaborating on an accessories line with me. I have always loved luxury handbags and I thought this would be the perfect product to develop together.

With a simple IG search for African artisans, I was connected to the founders of Artisan Global (non-profit organization dedicated to developing the creative industries in Uganda. Partner) Devon and Lauren, whose appetite for artisans, creativity and self-realization matched my own. They began teaching me about their own organization and certain resources that artisans use there. Through our multiple conversations, the ankle cow horn was brought up. I immediately envisioned a bag made entire of the horn to symbolize the precious animal and to represent the uniqueness of the Ugandan culture.

MOO was created to globally highlight the craftsmanship of artisans across Africa and provide long-lasting economic opportunities through job creation and fair pay.

The MOO bag is a sustainably sourced bag made entirely of discarded Ankole cow horns. Once deemed waste materials, the horns are reimagined as a source of artistic value and conservation of the indigenous Ankole cow. The Ankole horns are known for their unique variations in color and patterns. The colors vary from ivory black to caramel to white. The patterns are stripes and solids intermix for a striking appearance. Each horn is one of a kind and exotically distinct from any other horn.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I am a recovering perfectionist. I always felt that anything I work on needs to be perfect before revealed for the world to see. When starting a business, the business needs to constantly evolve and change as you acquire new learnings. Therefore, perfection is unattainable. I had to remove this fear of perfection to finally launch my brand last year. If you wait for perfection, you will be waiting your whole life and have nothing to show for it. I released my idea to the world knowing that it is a work in progress as all ideas are a work in progress with room to grow.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Emotional intelligence should be your priority. Have empathy for others. It is important to know that it is a privilege having people that believe in your vision and are willing to see it through with you. Fill them with kindness, encouragement and understanding and you will maintain a solid team that respects you and your dreams.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.moo-brand.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themoobrand/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themoobrand/

Image Credits
Deo Kuset Svetlana Blasucci