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A woman's passion has become a booming business in a male-dominated space. Phumlani S Langa speaks to one of the minds behind Uuka Designs.
We don’t cover as much interior design as we would like to, but you know you need to have the pad looking fresh or, at the very least, have your energy flowing throughout your house in the right way. Imagine coming home after a chaotic day of work and hustling to a domicile that is equally as haywire. It isn’t going to bode too well for your psyche.
That’s why we think you should know a little about Lesego Daniels. She is a 33-year-old businessperson and furniture designer, originally from Cape Town. She makes couches, which we all know are a centrepiece to tying a living space together. A cosy spot to recline, unwind and seek refuge from the manic state beyond your walls.
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Daniels says: "Personally, I have been in the furniture industry since 2022 but our staff has experience spanning a decade. I met an amazing woman with a wealth of knowledge of the industry who was looking for financial and operational backing. I took a leap of faith and joined forces with her to create Uuka Designs [her furniture company]."
We sometimes forget that any chair’s main function is for someone to sit on it. I hate going to places where the décor has you considering standing to enjoy a meal or drink. But Daniels provides lumbar support and goes beyond; her creations for her clientele are both comfortable and suave. She elaborates:
She adds: "From there, it was a natural progression when the opportunity presented itself. I loved the idea of exploring and pushing my own and my team’s creativity to create unique pieces for our customers to own. Furniture is a powerful statement of personal style, and it is both fun and rewarding to help our customers express that."
Her vocation doesn’t stop at couches alone, although these seem to be the more alluring items among her creations. Daniels has a strong affinity for anything custom and unique.
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"There is something special about taking a customer’s ideas and bringing them to life. This is usually mostly with living room items, couches, chairs and daybeds, as well as bedroom items."
She reveals that the process that she and Uuka Designs undertake when building their wares is always one that involves a healthy collaboration between the designers and the client.
"We like the customer to be a part of their piece from start to finish. A customer will send their inspiration images and we talk through the ideas and make suggestions for fabrics, colours and dimensions until we land on a final design. The design then goes into sourcing, then production."
Although hers is a thriving business, this is not an industry without moments of tireless toil and seemingly insurmountable challenges.
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"Besides the challenges faced by all businesses at the moment – load shedding, cost of inputs constantly increasing – the specific thing we face as a female-owned business is that manufacturing is a male-dominated industry. From managing a manufacturing team to negotiating with suppliers, we are constantly trying to navigate our way and solidify our place in an industry dominated by men."
The future is one Daniels hopes will burn brightly for her brand.
'Uuka' is a rare Xhosa word for someone who is destined to rise.
She expounds further: "We will be going into other market segments and expanding the level of customisation and exclusivity available to our patrons."
Uuka Designs is already increasing its digital footprint with e-commerce offerings.
Uuka Designs can be contacted on all social media platforms.
