Building the biggest African supply store in the US – Margaret Andega’s inspiring business journey

Margaret Andega, a Kenyan entrepreneur, went to the United States as a high school graduate in the late 90s and currently owns the biggest African supply store in the USA.

Born in Madira village, Sabatia constituency in Vihiga County, Margaret went to the US alongside her husband. But some three decades later, she has made a name for herself as an established entrepreneur in downtown Atlanta, Georgia.

In an interview on AmeyawTV with Ameyaw Debrah (from  her office complex in Atlanta, Georgia), Madam Andega shared her struggles and successes as an African entrepreneur living the American dream.

While women used to do business out of necessity, more and more women entrepreneurs today are starting businesses out of desire and determination, combining modernity with respect for tradition and Margaret Andega is a perfect example of such women entrepreneurs out to conquer the world.

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Having graduated from the Atlanta University Center, Margaret followed her passion for African arts and started selling African products to promote the African culture in every space possible.

This passion evolved into a full business idea when Margaret founded Afrocentric Network. It is a one-stop center for African products including clothes for men, women, and children.

On her motivation for establishing the Afrocentric Network, Margaret said: “It’s been a work in progress, being a business person you take advantage of business opportunities that come along. About 25years ago it started as just selling African art and jewelry etc. But, I really started by selling my concept from the trunk of my car.

During that time, there was this product that was coming from Kenya and was popular all over the US. I took advantage of it, brought the same product in large containers, and pushed the product into major department stores that were craving for the product there was a shortage of.  That’s when I realized that, when the product is there and everyone wants it, the door is easier to go through.”

While any woman can, in theory, become an entrepreneur, not everyone is equipped to do so. Being successful in business requires a number of qualities and competencies, not all of which can be acquired at school. Margaret Andega is proof of this, exuding a strong personality that helps her overcome various challenges and take advantage of opportunities.

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On how she’s been able to grow her business throughout the decades, Margaret said:

“My customers are mostly African-Americans who have always been cool with African stuff before Africans become cool about African stuff. So when Africa become cool, the growth was phenomenal. The growth is 1000% thanks to the internet too. Prior to the web, getting a product from Africa to the US was very difficult where you had to attend a lot of tradeshows  but now  Africa is just a snap away and everybody is able to see it simultaneously.”

At Afrocentric Network, Margaret Andega sources her products from different African countries including Ghana, Kenya, Mali, and South Africa, to serve the demands of African-Americans in the United States.

WRITER: JACQUELINE JOHNSON QUAYE