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My name is Alexandra West, friends and family call me Alexandra the Great, I’m 9 years old and I’m the CEO of Lexy Fashion House.
I started making slippers, sunglasses and hairbands with Ankara fabric about a year ago. I used to admire my Mum’s lovely, colorful Ankara fabrics, so I fell in love with ankara prints, and I knew I could make something out of it. I started creating things with Ankara fabrics and it was so much for fun until April 2017, when I decided to sell out my products.
I started selling my products officially at the Kids Entrepreneur Business Fair in April 2017. It was an awesome experience, I made a whole lot of money and I realised I had great marketing and communication skills. My grandma encouraged me to be polite and my Aunt told me I had be confident. I couldn’t have done this without their help. Sometimes it could be overwhelming but I try to stay calm and patient and that works for me. I sold out all my sunglasses and slippers at the fair. After the fair I had a lot of orders from different people. People seem to like my product and Business has been great. I try balance school work and business. So I get to produce during weekends. My products are not only for kids. Adults get to rock them too.
Now I know what it’s like to start a business and make money for myself. It’s a good thing but very tough sometimes. I’m lucky because I get a lot of support from my family.
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Winning the most innovative idea at the last KENT Fair made me very happy and excited to do more beautiful things. My mum gave me a diary 2 years ago and she told me to write down all my ideas and thoughts no matter how big or small. I can’t believe my idea has become a reality. I love the African culture, it’s so colorful that’s why I chose Ankara prints. I have great Ideas, I’m hoping to grow Lexy Fashion House into a big brand that the world will recognize. I’m saving towards that (big grin) & my Aunty says she will invest in my business once I reach my N1 million sales target. It seems like a lot but I think I can do it. It’ll be a dream to work with her. I will learn a lot.
I’d like to encourage all the beautiful kids out there, I want you to know that you’re not too young to start and it’s not too hard. You can do it. Believe in yourself.
