By: Elikem Tsikata
I have the honor of introducing Grace Adovor, the owner and operator of Gracia Fabrics, as January’s Entrepreneur of the Month. Gracia Fabrics has been a force in the Ghanaian textile industry for over 30 years, specializing in the crafting and selling of Batik fabrics.
Coming from a large Ghanaian family, trips back home rarely consist of empty calendars. This particular trip for the holidays included a family wedding, a birthday party, concerts, Christmas celebrations, New Year’s festivities, and regular catch-ups with friends and family. I quickly realized I lacked some of the beautiful, uniquely Ghanaian clothing that is typically present at these events. I needed to explore more traditional Ghanaian clothing before leaving.
Luckily for me, my family gave me great recommendations, and Grace’s name was mentioned. My dad, sister, and I drove to her store on Lagos Avenue. She was kind enough to speak to me about her business which she has molded into a town staple.
Grace’s Background
Grace has been a prominent entrepreneur here in Ghana for over 30 years. She trained to be a secretary growing up in Kata, a village town outside of Accra, Ghana. Smiling and light-hearted, Grace told me that her start as an entrepreneur began when she got tired of her boss complaining that she was arriving too late to work; she decided it would be in her best interest to work for herself. She began selling fabrics with one of her aunts shortly after. The facility where Grace and her aunt sold fabrics also rented out to another a woman, one who specialized in creating Batik tie-dye. Grace supplemented her selling experience by learning the process of making the Batik tie-dye. When she moved back to Accra, Ghana, in 1989, she opened her shop.
registration
Grace registered Gracia Fabrics as a sole proprietorship in 1989. When I asked if there is any Ghanaian law that affects how she operates the business, she was candid.
“No. Provided you register the company, you pay your taxes, they’ll let you be.”
Business Registration in Ghana is a two-fold process:
- Registration with the Registrar General’s Department (RGD)
Every enterprise in Ghana has mandatory application documents. Upon completion of the documentation and payment, Ghana businesses receive a Certificate of Incorporation and a Certificate to Commence Business.
- Register with the Ghana Promotion Investment Centre (GIPC)
The GIPC is responsible for registering all Enterprises in Ghana. Click here to view some of the necessary forms business owners complete with the GIPC.
batik and tie-dye designs
Batik is an ancient form of fabric art. The history of Batik spans many countries and ages, going back as far as to the Egyptian hieroglyphics. Batik is prominent in West Africa, including Ghana. The design process consists of combining wax, dye and paint, followed by the use of foam to create symbols into the fabric. For an in-depth explanation of the Batik creation process, click here.
Gracia Fabrics includes the physical store on Lagos Avenue, a batik and tie-dye workshop, and a sewing shop. Grace provided us with a tour of the facilities and a walkthrough of the operating process. As we toured the business, it was evident Grace’s attention to detail was present in her employees. They carried a quiet confidence while working, and it was clear their relationship with Grace was long-lasting. Grace draws inspiration for her designs from the colors and Adinkra symbols frequently seen around town. She prides herself on being customer-oriented, asking what they are looking for, and personally tailors designs to their requests.
lifelong relationship builder
Successful entrepreneurship is as much about relationships as it is about the product. Grace has become an expert in both. She buys her start-up fabric locally on the open market, as opposed to big-name factories and manufacturers. This process requires her to meticulously vet her fabric sources, always aiming for the best quality. She emphasized to me that her existing relationships with certain buyers can’t affect her high standard for the top-notch quality fabrics.
“I had to make trendy dresses, trendy designs to sell.”
Grace mentioned the initial challenge of trying to introduce Batik’s as a mainstream fashion 30 years ago. She remembers that the fabrics were not seen as the fashion statement they are today and that it took time until they became widely popular. This allowed her to become comfortable adapting to the market in Ghana throughout the years. She says at the beginning of the business, the Batik was the overwhelmingly popular selling item. As generations have changed, she noticed that the Batik still sells, but she sees more popularity with patterned textiles with printed symbols.
Grace’s exporting process is a testament to the importance she puts on relationship building. She says those who wish to view her work outside of Accra can contact her, and she will make sure to provide them with models of her current designs. She currently has contacts worldwide that serve as a word-of-mouth distribution chain. Countries include the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
advice for entrepreneurs
“Number one: Look at quality. Look at the people who are buying in the market.”
Grace talked about the importance of being educated on who your customer is. She has become comfortable establishing the relationships necessary to assist her customer’s needs properly.
“Keep Steady.”
“If you want to go into entrepreneurship, you’ll be better off to stick to one place. It can be very frustrating to stick to one place. Have the patience to wait, and you will see success.”
With a ferocious entrepreneurial dedication, it’s no surprise Gracia Fabrics has enjoyed a 30-year run of success. In Grace’s mind, the will to stay the course while developing your skills is mandatory for any entrepreneur. Without that high level of persistence, she fears young entrepreneurs may fail by trying to do too much, as opposed to harnessing a craft and then going forward.
It was a pleasure getting the chance to get to know Grace, and I look forward to going back to Gracia Fabrics on my next trip.
Gracia Fabrics is located at No. 49 Lagos Avenue, East Legon, Accra, Ghana.
Contact Email: graciafabrico@yahoo.co.uk
Gracia Fabrics offers Batik making workshops curated by Grace herself. Click here for further details.
Elikem Tsikata, at the time of this post, is a 2L at Penn State’s Dickinson Law. He is a Ghanaian-American from McLean, Virginia, and a graduate of Miami University (OH). Elikem is pursuing a certificate in Entrepreneurship Law with a Transactional concentration. He is interested in corporate transactional law and international development, specifically in African countries. Elikem is currently serving as the Vice President of the Student Bar Association.
Sources:
https://www.easytrackghana.com/travel-information-ghana_maps.php
https://www.gipcghana.com/invest-in-ghana/doing-business-in-ghana/starting-a-business.html
https://www.globalmamas.org/Info/BatikPreparation
http://www.adinkrasymbols.org/
https://tastemakersafrica.com/experience/batik-making-workshop
