Ange Ingabire is the brain behind Azzi Products, a line that manufactures nail polish and other manicure based products. The young entrepreneur’s products are manufactured in Australia but she is part of the entire process from the beginning to what she sells to her clients.

She talked to Nasra Bishumba about starting a business and the journey thus far.

Tell us a little about yourself

I was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I have four siblings, I am currently single and I have no children.

For primary education, I went to La Colombiere before joining Saint André and Notre Dame de Cîteaux. For university education, I went to Damelin Education Group in Johannesburg, South Africa and to Maastricht School of Management- SFB Outreach Program for my Master’s degree. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce in Information Management and a Masters degree in Project Management.

What were you doing before you opened your business?

I was working for Chemonics- a sub-contractor of USAID as the Human Resources Officer. I have also worked in the banking and telecommunications sector in various capacities.

Tell us a little bit about your business

Azzi Cosmetics Ltd was founded in 2015, it is a Rwandan cosmetics brand that hopes to address the health beauty niche and fill the void in the local cosmetic market for quality nail products. The products are divided in the following categories; a nail polish collection that includes 20 gorgeous colours and nail care products such as base coat, high shine top coat, nail polish remover wipes and quick dry nail spray.

What motivated you to start your own business?

The idea of creating something of my own has always been an exciting prospect, so after many years of training, planning and working, I raised the money through personal savings and family support and finally joined the world of business.

Why nail polish? 

I initially wanted to have a full make up line; however I didn’t have enough funds to do so; so I started with nail polish.

What is the story behind the name ‘Azzi’?

Azzi is my childhood nickname given by my mother; so the name of my brand carries a very sentimental feel to it.

Who inspires you?

The people who inspire me include Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Nick Vujivick but my greatest inspiration is my mother, she has taught me hard work, discipline and compassion.

What does a day in the-life of Ange consist of? 

Well, I start off my day reading devotionals, and then go on to checking emails, social media, after that, I begin delivering orders and meeting prospective partners whenever possible.

How do you achieve work-life balance?

The way I balance work and life is by prioritising, there are things you have to postpone for the sake of sanity.

What was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?

I decided to follow my passion no matter the cost and the time it will take to get there, it took a lot of sweat and tears to get here but it was so worth it.

What do you know about entrepreneurship today that you didn’t before you got started?

People are so willing to help you get ahead if you give yourself permission to try really hard and chase your dreams.

What were some of the biggest lessons that have impacted the way that you work?

There are no shortcuts to success and you don’t need approval from anyone to do what you want to do, at the end of it all, it boils down to the fact that you have to follow your path and be great at it.

And what has been your biggest challenge so far?

My products are manufactured in Australia so the greatest challenge is developing a line through phone calls and email and not being able to physically travel and meet my manufacturer. The manufacturer proposes a solution that is later customised to my liking.

If you were to invest in anything else besides beauty products, what would you invest in and why?

I would probably invest in handbags, accessories and footwear, because there is nothing quite like being another girl’s retail therapy destination.

If you could offer a first-time entrepreneur some advice, what would it be?

Invest in what you love, read extensively on your area of predilection, talk to other seasoned entrepreneurs, ask for advice and help where needed. Assess your risks; be ready for a life of daily unpredictability and don’t forget to have fun.

What advice would you give to young women who want to succeed?

I have not succeeded yet since I am just getting started, so I will give out pointers as to how I got here: It is good to have great dreams and aspirations but at the end of the day, you have to work very hard. Discipline, dedication to your work and patience are the best attributes to have if you want to pursue your purpose.

What plans do you have for the future?

I plan on expanding my product range to offer an array of quality products that cater for the needs of the African woman.

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