FEBRUARY 2021 - MADE IN AFRICA ISSUE

@SME360nigeria
34
SME360 Magazine
www.sme360.ng
MEET
SUSAN GRANGER
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF NUBIAN QUEEN ON 101
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE
NUBIAN QUEEN BRAND? WHAT DO
YOU DO AND WHERE ARE YOU
BASED?
Nubian Queen on 101 is a niche,
quality, and exclusive online Boutique
store, specializing in exquisite
Genuine Leather Handbags and
accessories, All made from the heart
of Johannesburg, Gauteng in South
Africa. Nubian Queen brings you an
Exclusive Contemporary Luxury
Genuine Leather Bag Brand that
bridges the gap between High Street
and Luxury Brands. Our brand designs
are Stylish, Affordable, and Timeless
therefore are not dictated by trends
but yet impactful and very easy to
wear as an accessory hence we have
declared our bags “Investment Bags”.
At Nubian Queen On 101 we “DO NOT”
follow trends, WE make them. If you
are looking to invest in a Bag that is
Impactful as it is Versatile, then
Nubian Queen On 101 is your plug. This
selection of carefully crafted products
are designed and created by founder
and Managing Director of Nubian
Queen on 101, Susan Granger. All our
bags are made 100% Local and by this
I mean that all our materials and
workmanship is done right here in
Johannesburg, we have also shown
our bags Internationally in Paris as
well as New York which is a milestone
we don’t take lightly.
Our slogan for Nubian Queen on 101 is
“Luxury Made In Africa” the reason I
made this our slogan is because even
though its 2020 Most Africans still
believe that everything from overseas
is better than our own and most
people actually say it with pride but,
I’m here saying Africa is like a Melting
Pot of Talent and still that being said as
Africans we still doubt our Worth,
some people might not agree with this
but, I run this business and the
conversations I have, tells me that we
have a long way to go to claim our
worth as Africa.
So the values of Nubian Queen on 101
are alike, subscribing to Quality |
Excellence | Customer-centric | Value |
Innovative | Creative | Our People first |
Integrity
WHAT IS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND
NUBIAN QUEEN ON 101?
Nubian Queen on 101 was formed to
bridge the gap between High Street
and Luxury brands but, with a flair of
satisfying the customer that wanted to
wear an accessory that is well made,
fairly priced as well as quality that can
last for years to come.
After looking around for a good and
well-made bag that was also fairly
priced without luck, propelled me to
search for resources locally to start my
own proudly African Brand.
HOW DO YOU GET YOUR DESIGNS?
We design and create them.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Teaching. I am an intense creative and
Africa is my passion. The blood that
runs through my veins is that of an
INTENSE TRAVELLER & INTENSE
CREATIVE, I studied Public relations in
College and I think this enabled my
mind to see pies in the sky, I see
opportunities everywhere I turn, I am A
Designer and an Agriprenuer, two
industries that are not even related
but, I Founded them. I also describe
myself as an ABSTRACT PAINTING, I
am that beautiful mess, only if you are
willing to find that beauty.
Showing my bags and African talent
in Paris 2018 & then New York twice in
2019 was the proudest achievement
for me this just proved to me that
Africa is Worthy + winning the
Start-up Women Entrepreneur of the
Year 2018 confirmed that I was doing
what was necessary for my Africa and
I should keep on going. Generally
watching things grow pumps my
blood some type of way that can’t be
explained, you have to experience it,
to understand . I love food and I love
cooking it.
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES YOU
FACE IN THE INDUSTRY AND HOW
DO YOU DEAL WITH THEM?
I tell everyone that I’m truly blessed, I
struggled to start my brand in South
Africa but, I was so adamant that I
would not do it any other way , so my
FAITH carried me and I conquered all
my fears and doubts about African
Brands being perceived as inferior to
international Brands. So I went on and
created a World Class brand that has a
very decent customer base both here,
other Africas, and abroad.
Now I teach/educate my customers to
be, the importance of Supporting
Local, as well as African, made and the
response is overwhelmingly positive.
WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR YOUNG
ENTREPRENEURS IN YOUR
INDUSTRY?
We make life so impossible most
times and for me “If you wake up every
morning and put GRATITUDE, FAITH &
HOPE in your pocket you can conquer
mountains you never dreamt
possible” You assured to be ok, so stop
talking about it and ACT, Action
creates Magic.