"We ultimately are trying to level the playing field for independent brands to be able to sell into big major retailers."

On this episode of Limitless Africa, we’re looking at how African businesses can sell to US customers. If you’re a homeware brand in Togo, or a clean beauty maker in South Africa or a jewelry manufacturer in Kenya, how can you get your product to American customers, those consumers shopping on Target, Etsy or Bloomingdale's? 

And it’s not a one-way street: those American retailers are also looking to stock amazing African homeware, accessories, lotions and potions - they are crying out for high quality products that are unique, and will delight their customers.

That’s where amazing entrepreneurs like Ella Pienovich come in. She’s the co-founder behind PoweredByPeople, a multi-channel distribution platform that connects independent brands to over 100 million customers across more than 200 leading online retailers & marketplaces. Ella is opening up huge new markets, and offering digital innovation to African entrepreneurs.

Plus: How clean beauty is the next trend.

🌟 IN THIS EPISODE:

1:35 Her first business

4:13 Tech-powered humans

5:52 The power of drop shipping

11:51 Building a business in Kenya

15:19 How to raise $20m

18:49 Transparency and compliance

22:55 The trends in retail

25:52 The power of thinking big

💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER:

"Transparency is part of the conversation, but the real shift I'm seeing is around compliance."

"That's my own little secret ambition is to replace mass produced product in the retail market."

🌍 ABOUT LIMITLESS AFRICA

The podcast that asks how Africans and Americans can work together for shared prosperity

Every Monday: 15-minute episodes that dive into an issue that matters to Africans

Every Thursday: extended interview with someone unlocking Africa's limitless potential

➕ WANT MORE?

Why an African luxury shoe brand is headquartered in the U.S. https://trueafrica.co/article/podcast/why-an-african-luxury-shoe-brand-is-headquartered-in-the-u-s/

How hip hop can build empires https://trueafrica.co/article/podcast/how-hip-hop-can-build-a-business-empire/

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🚀 FOLLOW LIMITLESS AFRICA

Instagram: @_trueafrica

Website: https://trueafrica.co/

Substack: https://limitlessafrica.substack.com/

🤝 FRIENDS OF LIMITLESS AFRICA

Limitless Africa is sponsored by the US Department of State and the Seenfire Foundation.

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