We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Zainab Jimoh a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Zainab thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

Allow me to invite you into the wonderful world of “Zileke Waist Beads,” where I create exquisite, handcrafted waist beads tailored to my client’s unique preferences. As a Nigerian hailing from the west side, my native language, Yoruba, is steeped in rich cultural traditions, particularly in the art of bead-making.

When it came time to name my business, I knew I wanted to infuse it with my identity, making it truly mine. The word “ILEKE,” meaning beads in Yoruba, held a special place in my heart, and I wanted to incorporate it into my business name. After much contemplation and brainstorming, I found myself drawn to the name “ZILEKE.” It was perfect, a beautiful fusion of my name (Zainab) and the Yoruba word that symbolizes my passion for creating stunning and unique beadwork.

Each bead is lovingly crafted by hand, a testament to my skill and artistry. My clients receive customized waist beads that showcase their individuality and style, crafted with attention to detail and the highest level of craftsmanship. Every piece is a masterpiece, created with the utmost care and attention to detail.

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?

During the pandemic, I launched Zileke, a body jewellery brand, “waist beads” to be precise. After my futile search to get one for myself; I am very picky with jewellery, so I decided that if nobody else was making what I wanted, then I would do it myself! And, after watching so many YouTube videos on how to make waist beads, I picked up on the basics. Then I got my tool kit together, and as they say, the rest is history!

Zileke waist beads are handmade from the finest materials, locally sourced from Nigeria. Each waist bead is unique and customised, depending on your style and preference. They are made from top-quality elastic and glistening glass beads, carefully handcrafted into beautiful jewellery pieces. It comes in several shapes and sizes, that will help you find the perfect one for your unique body shape.

What sets Zileke apart from other brands is that it was established to satisfy my personal desire and that of others who want to feel sexy and confident. Each bead is handcrafted with care, resulting in a one-of-a-kind piece that reflects your style and personality.

My creations have received so much love which makes me really proud. It is a very fulfilling feeling to hear people who have bought my pieces mention how much they love their piece and wear it every day. Working on this business has become somewhat of a passion project, and is my way to relieve stress and relax. I find it quite therapeutic stringing beads on a wire through the tiny holes in them while watching Netflix or listening to music.

I would love to inform my lovely clients that our beads have the power to make you feel sexy, confident and comfortable in your own skin.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I am a tech-savvy social media guru. I have always been in the social media space so I know one or two things about building a brand on social media. Building a social media presence takes time, effort, and dedication. It’s not something that happens overnight, but rather a journey that requires persistence and a commitment to providing value to your audience.

When I first started out, I knew that I needed to create content that would resonate with my target audience. So, I spent time researching and understanding my audience’s interests, pain points, and needs. This allowed me to create content that was not only engaging but also valuable to them.

The most important thing I did to build my social media following was to be authentic and genuine. I believe that people can easily tell when someone is being insincere, so I made sure to always stay true to my brand values and personality. By doing so, I was able to connect with my audience on a deeper level and build a loyal following.

I provide products, which means I need to showcase my products in an appealing way to capture my audience’s attention. This can be done through engaging visual content, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of your production process, and focusing on communicating the unique value of your products to your audience. By doing so, you can effectively capture their attention and build a loyal customer base.

My advice for those looking to build a strong social media following would be to focus on creating valuable and aesthetically pleasing content, be authentic and genuine, and stay committed to your goals. Building a strong social media presence takes time, but with dedication and a clear strategy, you can create a loyal following that engages with your brand and drives your success.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Word of mouth has been a great source of new clients for my small business. This means that my existing clients have been happy with the service or product I provide, and they have recommended me to their friends, family, and colleagues. This kind of referral marketing is extremely effective because it comes from a trusted source, and it is also cost-effective.

In addition to word of mouth, I have found that running ads on social media has been another effective way to attract new clients. I mainly run ads on Instagram, which allows me to reach potential clients who fit my target demographics and interests. By creating engaging and relevant content, I am able to capture the attention of my target audience and drive traffic to my website or business.

Overall, these two strategies have worked well for me in attracting new clients and growing my business. However, it’s important to note that every business is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. It’s important to experiment with different marketing channels and tactics to find the ones that work best for your specific business and target audience.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zileke_waist_beads/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zileke-waist-beads/about/?viewAsMember=true