Inspired by a friend’s success and her own love for fashion, Phatsimo Raphutshe started a part-time business selling trendy apparel at affordable prices.
Four years later and JayRohi is now one of the go-to places for local fashionistas.
The boutique, located at Airport Junction in Gaborone, is perfect for those desperate to keep up with the latest trends as well as those after a more unique look.
In August this year, Raphutshe took the brave decision to leave her high-flying post at Debswana to concentrate fully on her clothing empire.
Four months on and the young entrepreneur has no regrets in swapping the world of diamonds for a life of fashion.
Casting her mind back to 2016 and the start of her style revolution, Raphutshe reveals she set-up JayRhoi with a P6, 000 investment from her personal savings.
Before this, the brainy beauty obtained a Masters in Business Administration from the University of South Wales in preparation for the demands of running a business.
“I was inspired by a Chinese friend who owns a shop in Railpark Mall which made me realize I can do it as well, to sell nice things at affordable prices,” reflects Raphutshe.
Although she is happy with the progress her enterprise has made, cheerfully noting ‘you cannot go wrong in the clothing industry’, the ambitious businesswoman has big plans for the future.
Raphutshe is confident she will ultimately realize her vision of establishing JayRhoi as a formidable brand capable of competing with the best in the country.
Currently, the boutique employs two full-time employees as well as brand ambassadors who get paid to wear the clothes in public.
“Obviously as we expand we will engage more people. However, we also intend to sell online to have a massive outreach and our website is currently under construction,” declares the Mmadinare native.
JayRohi specializes in high-end fashion clothes, including sports, swim, and evening wear for both men and women. Best of all, clients can look fabulous without spending a fortune as the clothes are very reasonably priced.
Raphutshi says the business has been able to use social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to attract customers.
“JayRohi aims to bring innovative designs with flashy prints and bright colors but with style,” concludes the driven entrepreneur, whose eye-catching dress sense is a perfect advertisement for the clothes she sells.