We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Uche Eke. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Uche below.
Hi Uche, thanks for joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?
Growing up, I have always looked up to my parents for being business owners. In 2021 I had accomplished my Olympic Dream, competing for Nigeria as the First Olympic Nigerian Gymnast (Tokyo 2020). Doing so, motivating people from all across the world became my goal because I believe that if I can do it, you can do it too. Having this attitude had lead me to wanting to do more for Nigeria, as well as being the person who can show all the great things Nigeria has to offer. This is where the idea of creating a Nigerian fashion company came to mind. By me creating a Nigerian fashion company, Zingza, I believe that I can bring light into the United States, as someone who lives through both Nigerian and American cultures, true and authentic clothing that comes straight from Nigeria. The thought of this made me happy, as I am friends with many designers and manufacturers who hand-make clothing. I have seen the process through my own eyes and it inspired me to the point of wanting to help grow and expand the awareness of such talented people! Dating back a few months ago, I decided to take a risk and put matters in my own hands. I coordinated with the designers and manufacturers to create the clothing and get them shipped over to the US so that I can sell them. Once I received the clothing, I invested in a photo shoot and used the pictures to create my website! This was a hefty self-investment, as I did not receive funding nor help. It took a while to get my first batch of clothing, but I do look forward to improving efficiency once more people become aware of the exciting and cultural designs from Zingzafashion.com. Today I am proud to announce that I am officially a business owner, taking the first step towards making my dream a reality! I am excited about the future of Zingza, and I invite you all to join me on this journey. Together, we can create a world where Nigerian fashion is celebrated and cherished, and where our designers and artisans can thrive!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
As many of you know, Nigeria is a country with a rich and diverse culture, and one of the most exciting aspects of that culture is our fashion. I am Uche Eke, the first Nigerian Olympic Gymnast for Nigeria who visits 3 times a year, ever since the age of 3. It may seem controversial, but I am a Software Engineer with a Masters degree in Science who wants to globalize Nigerian fashion. Although I created my own company, Zingza, it was not only created to showcase the beautiful clothing. I am also here to create opportunities for the talented designers and artisans who create these pieces. There are many people all over the world who do not get the chance to showoff their creativity. With this in mind, I created a platform for them to share their work with the world and to earn a living doing what they love. My company mission is simple: to bring the beauty and diversity of Nigerian fashion to people all over the world. I believe that the world is ready for a new kind of fashion, one that celebrates the richness of our culture and the creativity of our designers. I am proud to say that Zingza is committed to fair and ethical practices, and we will work closely with our designers to ensure that they are paid fairly and treated with respect. We will also be committed to sustainability, using eco-friendly materials and practices wherever possible!
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Building a social audience can take a lot of time and work, therefore the key is to make sure you are having fun! I luckily have a social media presence from my Olympic journey, but still have to put the work in for Zingza. Doing so, I created a new Instagram and Facebook page to have a media presence strictly for my fashion company. There are many platforms out there, but the goal is to pick a few and stick with them. I believe that your social media profiles should reflect your brand’s image and values. I plan to continuing the growth of my media presence by collaborating with other brands and influencers. Remember that building an audience on social media takes time and effort. Stay consistent, stay engaged, and keep experimenting to find what works best for your brand!
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
The creation of my company, Zingza, took a lot of money and patience. The cost of shipping clothing from Nigeria to America is very expensive and required a lot of upfront cash. I have to purchase the material and pay the designers and manufacturers as well. I have been working as a Software Engineer for a few years now and was able to plan and save for this investment. I did not reach out to anyone for funding for two reasons: I do not have the proper contacts and the feeling of spending your own money drives creativity. Watching the amount of money being spent on my business motivates me to push through my boundaries and work diligently. But I am one to not give up. I understand that the growth of a business will take a lot of time, money and effort, just like how my Olympic dream took blood, sweat, and tears!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zingzafashion.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zingza41/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092009471999
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uche-eke-333926124/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ucheeke4943
- Other: Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uchemantellem/?hl=en