Africa #BeBrave

What if there was a one-stop-shop for traditional wedding gifts? What if we had African tribe, art, décor, history, land inspired bedding? Firstly, why didn’t or doesn't this exist already? Secondly, count me in!

“Don’t be too revolutionary”. That is one of the many subconscious arguments that plague my mind as a start-up owner. I say start-up as I am advised I am not technically an entrepreneur yet as I am very much hands-on and perhaps not self-employed too as I am way more expensive according to corporate standards (insert crying face).

I am a huge dreamer, I think in pictures and have been accused of living in the clouds, seeing beyond my reality. I also am a logician and love solving problems, tapping into intuition and the ever so trustworthy Microsoft excel of course. Growing up I was intent to do something that involved building a business empire that would empower people to be their best, work with entrepreneurs, and change the world. Weddings and Linen, while I love them, did not even begin to feature in my shortlist of potential careers.

Koti Traditional Wedding Specialists (the Masterbrand), was born while I was sitting outside, staring at the sky and allowing my mind to drift. I wish it were more exciting and a greater build-up but honestly it was what I call a “God-drop”. I believe God knows I get super excited at the idea of solving a problem and knew I could not resist a solution that would save people time, money, effort, travel, and even reputation. What if there was a one-stop-shop for traditional wedding gifts? What if we had African tribe, art, décor, history, land inspired bedding? Firstly, why didn’t or doesn't, this exist already? Secondly, count me in! Can you tell my life theme is #bebrave? It worked…then it did not…then it did again.

In 2018, while in Germany, staring at the ceiling (it is really cold outside during winter), another God-drop, and this time the vision was bigger. Ecommerce, taking ownership of the value chain and reinventing an industry where we were under or misrepresented as Africans, despite owning the traditions and cultures that drive it. Not without challenge!

The most challenging part of the journey has been not the start, I love that, rather the process. Often, we see the beginning and end of a dream, no one can prepare you for the process. From money challenges, no cashflow, to personal sacrifices that have not shown returns yet, to the mental wars when one questions everything, even why I would leave corporate. Corporate has a place in my story, I needed it to think like I do, create frameworks, build, and understand the business process. It was my safe place, but also my preparation, and I could not stay beyond my season there.

The most rewarding part of the journey is best seen in times when I take the minute to pause and take in the fact that what was literally a sketch on white paper is now a living breathing organism. To see that there is a team of people who wear the maroon golf tee and speak “Koti” every day, we have branches in DBN, PMB, NRB, and JHB, we are first to market with an African inspired bed linen range, we are being sought out for our traditional wedding services. We are a solution to a problem and have taken the load off some shoulders. People have come in heavy-laden with stress and have walked out dancing with happiness that it was now our problem to solve. I sure hope Koti Linen inspires, acts as a catalyst for a mini-revolution in what we call #bedart, and provides African another canvas to express herself. Africans have Africa’s solutions, we cannot be under or misrepresented forever, and I hope to create a platform with the brand and its extensions that

reinvent, renovate industries where we should be owning or at least be represented in.

Portia Gumede

Founder of Koti Traditional Wedding Specialists and Koti Linen

Managing Director

Facebook: @kotilinen and @koti

Instagram: @koti_linen and @koti_sa

Twitter: @koti_sa and @koti_linen