Fatima Babakura, a luxury accessory brand-builder in Nigeria — Lionesses of Africa

Timabee Inc, an accessory brand that redefines luxury in Africa and beyond

Fatima Babakura is the founder, chief executive officer and designer of Timabee, an accessories brand that “redefines luxury in Africa and beyond”. Timabee is a premium women’s accessories brand. Fatima started Timabee at the age of 19 and it has since grown to become a global brand with customers all over the world. Fatima holds a BSc Honours Commerce degree from Canada’s prestigious McMaster University. Fatima has won many awards which include being acknowledged as one of Nigeria’s Top 100 Most Inspiring Women, WEF’s Iconic Woman in 2017, and has been nominated for prestigious awards like Forbes 30 under 30 in 2022. Fatima launched the business in 2013.

Lioness Weekender spoke to Fatima about what it takes to build a luxury brand that has global appeal, and about her aspirations for the future of the business.

What does your company do?

At Timabee, we make premium accessories, specifically shoes and bags for women.

What inspired you to start your company?

I started my company because as a consumer of luxury handbags, It didn’t make sense to me why there are very few black-owned luxury accessory brands and I wanted to change that.

Why should anyone use your service or product?

What makes our business unique is the attention we pay to detail, which is very intentional since we seek to be on a par with the top brands in the world. We also do not follow trends but stick to designing what is really true to us as a brand.

Tell us a little about your team

We are currently a team of 5 people. 80% women-led and all under the age of 40.

Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?

I was that kid that sold and could sell you almost anything. Talk about me selling “scooby snacks” inspired by Scooby Doo, the cartoon, to kids on my street and later on getting it into a church’s convenience store opposite my house. Till this day, I cannot understand how they even agreed to listen and buy into that idea of selling snacks for me. I must have been 9 or at most 10 years old. I sold scarves for commission, I sold my father’s old newspapers to a street food vendor, tutored my classmates in primary school for a fee, and even went on to start a school with my older sister all before getting to high school. And no, these weren’t things I did out of boredom. I was genuinely passionate about each and everything I ventured into. Of course, I probably did not see it as “business” back then, but looking back now, everything I am today and continue to be is not a coincidence. Looking at every single business I did at a young age, I realize that I was just great at recognizing gaps and just wanting to fill them. I started Timabee out of curiosity in my first year of university in Canada. To summarize what led to the first design that eventually led to the birth of the business, I had designed a handbag that was meant to be a “birthday” gift to my family friend and days after giving her the sketch on paper, I couldn’t get it off my mind as it was very unique and I had never seen anything like it. Out of my curiosity, I set out to find a manufacturer who would make me the bag. Keep in mind, I was an accounting student with no business or fashion background. I did a simple google search which led me to Alibaba where I found a company that agreed to make me a sample for $150 CAD in December 2013. Out of the pocket money I received from my parents as a student, I set out to spend $150 which I ended up losing as I interacted with a fraudulent vendor and had no clue. Losing money did not stop me however, I was determined to find someone else to make my bag, but this time a lot more careful and I did my due diligence in researching about the company.

What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?

In the next 2 years, our flagship store for Timabee will be situated in Dubai and the reason for this location is very strategic as most of our customers are currently situated there and also because the Middle East is quite an unusual place for Africans to shine. Africans shine in America, in Asia, etc. but the Middle East is usually conserved for its people and I am trying to make my mark there. I love to dare myself! I am passionate about many things and one of my passions has led me to becoming a perfumer and I now lead perfume and incense creations at Yerwa Secrets, a brand I started at the mid of the pandemic last year in August. Since the inception of this brand, we have recorded only profits and are currently executing our expansion to take it global. Another Africa to the world, story. I live by one mantra and it is, “whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well.”

What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?

This has changed and I think will continue for me as I grow as an entrepreneur. At the beginning of my journey, it was great reviews from my customers but now it is from the impact I make. When younger girls reach out to me saying that I have inspired them and they are interested in mentorship, it tells me that I am doing something right.

What’s the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?

Own your authenticity. Do not change who you are or your values to fit in because it is a male dominated world. Your power is in being a woman and being you wholly and unapologetically.

To find out more about Timabee, contact Fatima via email: fatima@timabee.com or visit the website:  https://www.timabee.com or social media platforms:

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