Bow nanas
| Business Location: | Rural area - Villages |
| Province | Free State |
| Branch: | Thabo Mofutsanyana |
| Business Start Date: | |
| Busniess Type: | Company |
Business Dynamics and Challenges
Business Activities:
Bow Nanas Clothing is a fashion brand specializing in designing and manufacturing high-quality formal and casual apparel for women, children, and men. The business operates primarily as an e-commerce store while also running a physical retail outlet in Clarens.
The core activities include:
Designing original clothing collections inspired by local and international fashion trends
Manufacturing garments through partnerships with skilled local seamstresses
Marketing and selling products online and through physical retail channels
Collaborating with design schools and TVET colleges to mentor and support emerging fashion students
Participating in local trade fairs and pop-up markets to increase brand exposure and customer reach
Challenges/Needs:
operational and strategic challenges. These include limited staffing capacity (the owner is the only full-time worker), lack of formal marketing structures, and restricted access to industrial-grade equipment and funding
Intervention Insights and Results
Intervention Details:
Bow Nanas Clothing approached SEDFA, the Business Advisor conducted a diagnostic using the Small Business Assessment Tool (SBAT), where the client rated key areas such as finance, marketing, HR, and operations. The results revealed challenges in marketing visibility, informal HR structures, lack of equipment, and limited financial systems.
To address the immediate need for market exposure, SEDFA facilitated the business’s participation in the Qoai Fashion Show Trade Fair, assisting with the application, business profile, and preparation of products for exhibition. This intervention aimed to increase brand visibility and access to the Free State fashion market
To address the immediate need for market exposure, SEDFA facilitated the business’s participation in the Qoai Fashion Show Trade Fair, assisting with the application, business profile, and preparation of products for exhibition. This intervention aimed to increase brand visibility and access to the Free State fashion market
Outcome Details:
Bow Nanas Clothing has demonstrated measurable progress in several key areas. The outcomes reflect positively on the support provided and align with SEDFA’s expected performance indicators.
The business experienced an increase in turnover from R180,000 to R208,875, reflecting a growth of R28,875, which translates to approximately 16% growth. This improvement is attributed to the business’s relocation to a more commercially active area in Clarens, as well as participation in local pop-up markets that expanded sales opportunities. The increase in turnover indicates a positive response from the market and growing customer demand.
At the time of the previous assessment, Bow Nanas Clothing employed only the founder. Currently, the business has increased its workforce to two employees, creating one new job. This additional capacity has helped improve operational efficiency, particularly in managing the physical store and preparing for exhibitions.
The support of SEDFA, Bow Nanas Clothing successfully participated in the Qoai Fashion Show Trade Fair, which significantly boosted the brand’s visibility within the Free State fashion industry. The exhibition helped the business attract new audiences, expand its customer base, and establish connections with industry players. As a result, the business now benefits from greater brand recognition and improved marketing presentation, using more professional and targeted promotional material.
Turnover increased, total expenses also rose from R160,000 to R197,177, mainly due to the expansion into a physical retail space and the associated costs of higher production and sales activity. Consequently, net profit declined from R20,000 to R11,698. The decrease in profit is viewed as a short-term effect of reinvestment into growth and operational scaling. Over time, this investment is expected to yield improved financial performance as the business stabilises in its new location.
The business experienced an increase in turnover from R180,000 to R208,875, reflecting a growth of R28,875, which translates to approximately 16% growth. This improvement is attributed to the business’s relocation to a more commercially active area in Clarens, as well as participation in local pop-up markets that expanded sales opportunities. The increase in turnover indicates a positive response from the market and growing customer demand.
At the time of the previous assessment, Bow Nanas Clothing employed only the founder. Currently, the business has increased its workforce to two employees, creating one new job. This additional capacity has helped improve operational efficiency, particularly in managing the physical store and preparing for exhibitions.
The support of SEDFA, Bow Nanas Clothing successfully participated in the Qoai Fashion Show Trade Fair, which significantly boosted the brand’s visibility within the Free State fashion industry. The exhibition helped the business attract new audiences, expand its customer base, and establish connections with industry players. As a result, the business now benefits from greater brand recognition and improved marketing presentation, using more professional and targeted promotional material.
Turnover increased, total expenses also rose from R160,000 to R197,177, mainly due to the expansion into a physical retail space and the associated costs of higher production and sales activity. Consequently, net profit declined from R20,000 to R11,698. The decrease in profit is viewed as a short-term effect of reinvestment into growth and operational scaling. Over time, this investment is expected to yield improved financial performance as the business stabilises in its new location.
Client Feedback
Client Comments:
Thank you Sedfa, I would like to continue partnering with you
