Pretoria Oct 2019

YOUNG, SPUNKY
ADVENTUROUS
One look at Angeliz Venter is enough to tell you that this is no ordinary young lady.
She’s a 23-year-old student, part-time model and business owner. Pretty impressive, hey?
&
he Waverley beauty started
her business, KiCoco,
formerly known as Little
Gentleman, in 2016 while
studying B. Consumer Science:
Clothing Retail Management
at the University of Pretoria.
She made baby clothes as extra
production hours for her degree
before realising quickly enough that
there is a big market for baby and
toddler boys clothing.
In August of this year, she decided
to expand the business to boys, girls,
and unisex kids clothing up to the
ages of 10. She also added locally
produced baby vellies to the online
store. The shift in products prodded
Angeliz to change the name and says
it was inspired by kids around the
world and her love of coconuts and
islands. “All our designs are based on
inspiration gained from nature. We
strive to be sustainable and are a 100
percent no waste brand. We use all of
our off-cut fabrics in new designs and
repurposing them for pillow covers
and cushion stuffing,” she explains.
“I think starting a business so young
is the ultimate thrill and definitely
a good thing. Being so young I
don’t have the responsibility of
dependants and can take risks with
the business without worrying that it
will have an effect on anyone besides
myself,” Angeliz says.
Running a business, completing her
studies and working as a part-time
model is no easy task at best. “It gets
very difficult and tiring at times,
but luckily I am a very driven and
motivated person. I like to challenge
myself constantly and I think that
is what kept me going through
the last three years of running my
own business. I think the different
disciplines also helps keep my mind
fresh and prevents me from getting
overwhelmed too quickly,” she says.
Although she initially did all the
sewing herself, Angeliz these days
has a few students and a small scale
CMT (cut, make and trim factory) that
helps with production.
She designs everything herself but
says she gets her inspiration from the
people around her, especially moms.
The former Waterkloof High school
student was born and raised in the
capital and says she always knew she
wanted to one day work in fashion
and hopefully one day own her own
business. She just never expected it
to be this soon.
“The biggest lesson I’ve learned since
starting my business is to rather do
things the long and right way instead
of the quick and easy way, because
you will always have to fix the easy
way later on.
But, what is it about clothing,
especially kids clothing, that
makes Angeliz so passionate about
the industry?
“The clothing industry is very
tough and competitive and seeing
little kids especially babies in your
designs, makes it so much easier.
They just add an extra element of
achievement to your designs,”
she says.
While still in school, Angeliz decided
to get into modelling, at first to boost
her self-confidence but it evolved
from there.
You might not expect this, but
Angeliz loves spending time in
nature, whether it is skydiving,
hiking, mountain biking or simply
reading a book.
She loves sushi and her favourite
coffee shop to grab coffee with the
girls is Aroma Gelato in Lynnwood
Road. “Nothing beats a cup of
coffee with a waffle and ice cream,”
she laughs.
When work gets the better of
her and it’s time to take a break, she
spends a night in at home, watches
series or for a proper pamper
session heads to Ingaadi spa for a
relaxing massage.
KiCoco will launch on 2 November 2019 in the Oh My Baby store in Menlyn Mall
so make sure to swing by and grab a few pieces for the little people in your life.
Alternatively you can visit www.littlegentlemenshop.com. Get It Pretoria readers
will get a special 20% discount when shopping online.
Just use the “GETIT20” promo code.
October 2019 Get It Pretoria 15