10/05/2026
This was actually a jumping horse bag I created, inspired by the popular African jumping horse fabric. Then I eventually carried this bag into a Nigerian business pitch room on Zoom (name withheld ), with pride and optimism.Not because this bag was made in a factory, not because a trend predicted it would sell, but because it was sketched and created by my bare hands; a hands that have known survival, healing, motherhood, resilience, and art.
Then one of the female judges looked at my design and said:
“Why didn’t you make it a clutch or something different? Nobody would want to buy an ugly bag.”
For a few seconds, my entire body froze.
The room suddenly felt too quiet, uncomfortable,hot and cold for me at the same time.The confidence I had spent years building for my brand disappeared in a moment.
My mind went blank while the live cameras were still rolling. When another judge (a White Man in their midst) asked me where I saw the business in the next three years, I could not speak anymore.
I sat there fighting tears, trying to hold myself together while silence filled the room.
Eventually, they thanked me and moved on.
Obviously , I never made it to the final batch and I wasn't surprised anymore.
But after the pain settled, I realized something important:
Not every visionary will be understood in the room they first enter. I am here to encourage anyone who is passionate about creativity and standing out, that in this life,some people see “different” and call it ugly.
Others see culture, courage, originality, storytelling, and identity.
This bag was never created just to follow trends. It was created to tell a story through bead art; a story of creativity, family, healing, African craftsmanship, and rising above difficult seasons.
It has stayed for years in my hands as that personal special unique bag but recently I had a road accident while carrying the bag and it was crushed by the Car tyres as I fell of a moving vehicle. A new version is coming soon with varieties in colours.
Watch out for this and thank you for always sticking by us💝😍🙏
