Founder Profile: Yinka Taiwo-Peters
Tell us a bit about your company
YTPshop is an African-inspired clothing brand designed by Nigerian-born and USA-based Yinka Taiwo-Peters. The brand celebrates the authentic African experience and adorns confident women with bold aesthetics and colors.
What inspired you to start your business / what opportunity in the market are you seeking to address?
I founded YTPshop in 2017 with no formal fashion training and only $200. Over time, I have taught myself to design all our products in the U.S., while our network of female network artisans manufacture in Nigeria. When I started this brand, I wanted to share my love for African fashion with the world and to also empower our artisans, whose families depend on these earnings, in Nigeria. Today, we have a small all-female team across Nigeria and the U.S. that quickly learns from our mistakes and continues to improve the quality of our products.
What are one or two of the biggest wins or most encouraging experiences you’ve had so far?
The most encouraging experience was the It’s Always Summer campaign. This project was a combination of effort of the team in Nigeria and the U.S. It took months of planning and the result exceeded expectations. We got featured in a major publication and received several purchases as well
What about your personal background, experience, or perspective fuels your passion for this venture?
I was born into humble beginnings to a single mother in Lagos Nigeria. As a single mother, she ensured that I had the best education that she could afford and continued to emotionally and financially support my endeavors including starting YTPshop.
What is an obstacle you anticipate grappling with as you continue to build this venture?
As the business grows, I realise that I need to even outsource more. Letting go of responsibilities to others has been more challenging than I expected. Another challenge with growth is being able to market efficiently beyond my immediate network and we are still seeking paid ads management support
Shop YTPshop here!
