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Writer's pictureMina Bilkis

5 businesses to watch out for in Freetown

Last August I wrote a piece on 5 Entrepreneurs to watch out for on World Entrepreneurs Day, this year I've decided to do something slightly different. With Youth Day (August 12) coming up, I want to spotlight 5 businesses in Freetown owned by young people across the city.


The theme of this year's Youth Day is Youth Skills for Peace and Development which emphasizes the critical role played by young people in building peace and resolving conflicts. In a lot of ways, business and entrepreneurship support society to resolve some issues experienced in the journey of (re)building peace and development in a nation.


If you don't already have these 5 businesses on your radar, maybe you should.


1. Makha Consulting

Launched during Africa Comms Week 2024 on May 24, Makha Consulting is one Freetown's latest marketing, communications and public relations (PR) agencies. Their founders; Mariama Khadija and Mary Momodu have a wealth of communications experience with several years in the public sector and consulting in the private and development sectors in Sierra Leone.


"Everyone has a story, let's tell yours. At Makha we are equipped to handle your project with efficiency and ease." - Mary Momodu says.


"Makha is a full-service agency that specializes in strategic communications, marketing, branding, social media management, content creation, event management, and talent management. We provide a full suite of tailored solutions to support your business growth. Our approach is data-driven, creative, and results-oriented, ensuring that we deliver measurable outcomes that align with your unique needs and goals." - Makha "Who Are We" section.

Makha Consulting boasts of providing tailored professional services from event management, to proposal writing, graphic design, UI/UX design and stategic communications.



Since their less than 2 months launch, Makha Consulting has shown no signs of slowing down.


In June they had a booth at the Sierra Leone Innovates: Tech Summit which ran from June 11-13 2024 organized by the Ministry of Communications, Technology and Innovation at the Freetown International Conference Centre (FICC), Bintumani - Aberdeen.


The summit brought together over 4000 delegates and representatives from 15 countries inlcuding Ghana, Vietnam, The United Kingdom, The United States, Kazakhstan, Nigeria and of course - Sierra Leone.


Makha Consulting had the unique opportunity to connect with over 1500 students from various universities and engage them on the services they offer and provide career development sessions.


Makha Consulting has had an impressive run and they look forward to maintaining this momentum.


"As a young person who has worked in the communications and creatives industry since I moved to Sierra Leone 6 years ago, Makha endeavors to provide adequate to our clients and young professionals in the country. I plan to use my experience in both public and private sectors to enhance stategic communications and PR in Sierra Leone" - Mariama Khadjia, co-founder of Makha Consulting.


To learn more about Makha Consulting, visit them at:


Instagram: @makhamc


*this is a sponsored post

2. Imoyira

Imoyira is a self-care and wellness brand.


"Imoyira was created as a labor of love for people who need to pamper themselves but just don't know how. The box has everything with instructions to take care of YOU." - Princetta Jones, Founder of Imoyira.



This is a teaser of what one can expect to receive when placing an order with Imoyira. There are packages for hair, hands, face, body, feet and overall wellness.


Health is wealth as 'they' say -- and that includes mental and emotional health.


You can find some of your favorite goodies from choolcate, cookies, face masks, hands makss and more.


You can visit Imoyira on Instagram at @imoyira.sl (page will be live on Monday, July 15) or make an order at Sweet P's Bakery, Syke Street.

*this is a sponsored post


3. Ankara by Dex

Ankara by Dex specializes in ready to wear unisex fashion with African fabric. Dusu Mansaray is the Creative Director of Ankara by Dex and started her fashion brand while she was an engineering student at Fourah Bay College (FBC).

"Fashion has always been a big passion of mine and I started to experiment with fabric and designs while studying. With encouragement from friends and family I gradually built my passion in to a business". - Dusu Mansaray, Creative Director of Ankara by Dex.

Ankara by Dex offers a wide variety of clothing, shoes and accessories and can be found:


Address: opposite Njala Gate, PMB, Wellington (adjacent Bread Avenue)

Instagram: @ankara_by_dex

Facebook: Ankara by Dex


*this is a sponsored post


4. Zamysh

Zamysh is a fashion brand headquarted in Lagos, Nigeria with operations in Freetown that specializes in bespoke wear for their clients. They are founded by 3 sisters and their mother in Gbagada, Lagos.


(left to right) Aisha Ize, Salamatu Maikudi and Amira Maikudi


"Being a part of a family business is such a blessing as we all have the same goals to push Zamysh to succeed. We have serviced clients in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, the United Kingdom and United States of America and we intend on expanding to more countries as we are currently scaling up and also expanding into furniture and home decor." Aisha Ize, co-founder of Zamysh.


Zamysh was founded in 2018 and recently rebranded to accomodate their current expansion as Aisha Ize mentioned. They have recently ventured into furniture and home decor with fabrics such as batik.


Follow their journey and shop with them at:

Instagram: @zamysh.bespoke






5. LAura Beauty & Wellness
"We are a brand built on the foundation of nurturing hair (especially afro) and skin as a fundamental factor in one's holistic growth and development. Through LAura beauty and wellness brand, we hope we can redefine conventional beauty standards and have our clients reconnect with, (re)discover and embrace their authentic selves, feeling transformed and empowered." - LAura, Our Story.

LAura is Freetown's newest beauty and wellness salone. Situated at 114 Pademba Road, L'aura opened its doors last week to the public and operates on walk-ins and an appointment only basis for signature treatments.


Instagram: @l.aurastudios


Everywhere you go young people are doing amazing work in Freetown and across the continent! It's so uplifting to see, especially at this time.


Who will you be shopping with next?


 

Have an event or doing something great in Sierra Leone and want a bigger reach? DM or email me at info@minabilkis.com 

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