Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in clothing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Andrew Akufo, co-founder, and COO of Gapelii Brand, located in Santa Rosa, CA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Gapelii Brand is a Black-owned emerging, high-end luxury clothing and shoe company offering the latest in men's, women's, and children's fashion. The name "Gapelii" is an acronym that stands for growth, ambition, prosperity, elevate, lifestyle, innovation, and influence. Our mission is to provide premium quality and service to our customers, inspire growth and success in one another, and give back to support our surrounding communities. Our apparel, shoes, and accessories are designed to influence, encourage and make everyone feel comfortable wearing our brand. All of our shoes are Italian handcrafted and ship to anywhere in the world. Gapelii Brand was created as a creative way to give back to the community. Although still a growing venture, we are:

  • A philanthropy-driven and community-oriented business.
  • Contributing 10% of all our proceeds and sales back to the communities we serve.
  • Providing scholarships, clothing, and food to under-served populations and youth.

Tell us about yourself

Gapelii Brand started out as an idea to creatively give back to our local communities. The idea was originally derived from my business partner, Toja Hodge (current CEO of Gapelii Brand), who enjoyed luxury fashion and dreamed of starting his own clothing line. I met Toja in New Mexico, where we started discussing the concept of the Gapelii Brand clothing line in 2017. We continued the conversation about the brand's development after I moved to California in March 2018. I believed in the concept of Gapelii Brand, loved the logo, and envisioned what the brand could be if it was marketed and developed correctly. I agreed to help promote the brand through my personal contacts in the local media, relationships with local photographers as a former art administrator as well as help manage the brand's social media pages.

We experienced tremendous growth in our audience development and an uptick in sales within the first few months after I decided to start helping. After a couple of months of Toja and I going back on forth every day about new ideas and Gapelii Brand's expansion, we mutually decided to just go into business together. I have been motivated to continue developing Gapelii Brand because of the positive influence I have seen our brand have on local communities, as well as the excitement that comes across the faces of our customers, both young and old, when they first see or try on our clothing. We have goals of building Gapelii Brand into one of the world's top luxury fashion brands and are inspired by the journey ahead.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Our biggest accomplishments included our shoes being featured in the GQ Italia online publication and our new collaboration with California non-profit Farm to Pantry to provide custom-made luxury shirts for their volunteer base and staff.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Time management and finding ways to stay encouraged when growth and sales seem stagnant can sometimes be a challenge, yet at the same time, breeds creativity, persistence, and prioritization.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Be consistent. Be patient. Work hard.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

We are thankful to every individual who has played a role in our success up to date, from the models and photographers who have selflessly contributed their time and efforts to the media platforms that have publicized our work and business. We will be presenting our first-ever California fashion show in Vallejo, California, on Sat. June 18, 2022, and I look forward to launching a new customer-based documentary series on YouTube this summer! All have played a role in our success up to date, from the models and photographers who have selflessly contributed their time and efforts to the media platforms that have publicized our work and business. We will be presenting our first-ever California fashion show in Vallejo, California, on Sat. June 18, 2022, and I look forward to launching a new customer-based documentary series on YouTube this summer!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://gapeliibrand.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gapelii/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gapelii/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gapeliibrand
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gapelii-brand/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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