Meet Trailblazer Sali Ouattara

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sali Ouattara.

Sali, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My story begins with $50 that could barely allow me to buy some loincloths and sewing machines at my uncle’s place.

I still think back at the remonstrance of my father because I gave my endeavor a little too much time. To him, school is the key to success (which may be true) and comes first. I received my first costumers at home, the nest egg that I built allowed me to open my first small sewing workshop with one employee. From the first satisfied customer to the events I often participated in without pay, through word-of-mouth, I switch to a larger workshop that now counts five employees.

Meanwhile, I strove to honor my father and got my Master’s. Afterwards, I decided to come to study in the United States. No sooner after I stepped on the US ground, caught between my integration that was quite challenging and my little baby ‘Lili Creation’ that I had left behind me, a dissatisfied customer’s complaint brought me down. This customer complaint that had been amplified by social media led me to close my workshop because I got discouraged.

However, the Bible says in Romans 8:28 “We also know that God makes all things work for the good of those who love him.” From tailor-made sewing, I boosted to ready-to-wear garments exclusively upon returning to Abidjan in 2017.

It was the long-awaited release! UN-BE-LIE-BABLE!

From a local store with five employees, I went abroad to open stores in Bamako-Mali, Brazzaville-Congo, Ouagadougou-Burkina (inside a galerie) and Dakar in Senegal (concept store) within one year! So many opportunities have come my way. Today, I am rewarded with a new showroom in Abidjan at the rue des jardins, a large team of employees, and many connections that have been decisive for my career

I may have been just at the onset of entrepreneurship, but I learned that the most important thing is to go at your own pace and have hope. Perseverance must be your best ally to overcome the hardships you may encounter on your way. Yes, it takes perseverance to get up when you are a victim of piracy of all your community pages. Yes, recently, I was the target of a malicious internet jacker that took over all of our social media networks. This incident that impacted all my activities could have destabilized my team and I, but, on the contrary, it allowed us to test our resilience!

The best part of this story being for the end, I am overjoyed to officially present to you “Lili Creation Atlanta”.

We are now open in Atlanta.

Has it been a smooth road?
I want to invite my young sister who reads this, never to give up. Do not be afraid to start your ventures, or start over again when life gives you every reason to give up. Fight for the fulfillment of your dreams, to manifest all the potentials that GOD has placed in you, and be a light for this generation. On this path, make grace and humility your unconditional ones, no matter what

We’d love to hear more about Lilicreation.
Lilicreation is your favorite African brand taking African wear to an entirely new level!

Lilicreation is a brand from the Ivory Coast. We specialize in customer African clothing and all types of accessories with a variety of unique African prints and styles.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: liliicreation
• Facebook: Lili Création
• Website: www.lilicreation.net
• Phone: 404860 3713
• Email: lilicreation22@gmail.com

Image Credit:
Sali Ouattara, Owner of lilicreation

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