By Irene Best Nyapendi
So, this is how Joan Abeera introduced herself to the world: She took a leap of faith and opened a Facebook page to showcase the work she would do whenever she was off duty. To her surprise, her first post on the social media platform caught the attention of a potential client. People started noticing her posts.
“After my first post on Facebook, a client reached out to me, asking for a similar art piece that I had posted,” Abeera said. It was a TV unit and a mirror.
That positive feedback, the 29-year-old said, fueled her passion, and soon, more orders came in, including projects for an entire apartment. In less than six months, she was earning up to 1 million UGX from a business she started with only 200,000 UGX. (1M UGX = 272.65 USD)
As the business grew, she realized she needed a physical space for her creations. With profits from her work, she rented a two-roomed house that became her showroom. This space was essential for clients who wanted to “see” and “touch” her designs.
With each design, she strives to make something different and amazing, drawing inspiration from her name and her rich cultural heritage.
The name ‘Abeera,’ means ‘pure’ in Rufumbira, a local dialect in southwestern Uganda. She says by naming her business Abeera Creatives, she wanted her brand to reflect her commitment to creating unique, handcrafted pieces that are both amazing and durable.
“Whenever I look at an item, I think of how unique I can create it; if I see a lampshade in metal design, I try to make it differently and better, in wood,” she said.
Her creative process is collaborative. She works closely with a team of four skilled people — a carpenter, a metalworker, a painter, and a support staff. Together, they mix materials and ideas to bring Abeera’s visions to life. For instance, if a client requests a specific shade of grey for a piece, she might mix paints to achieve the perfect color.
Her husband, she says, has been a support pillar in the business: He often refers clients from his network, something Abeera says has helped her grow from strength to strength.
What sets Abeera Creatives apart is its commitment to personalization. She believes every project should reflect the client’s lifestyle and personality. By using locally-sourced materials and collaborating with Ugandan artisans, she creates designs that celebrate both global inspiration and local craftsmanship.
Her most cherished project is a Scandinavian-inspired home, the space is not only functional and elegant, but it also tells the story of its occupants, reflecting their personalities. This project required extensive time and effort, but it remains one of Abeera’s proudest achievements.
Like any entrepreneur, Abeera faces challenges in her work. One of the most significant hurdles is managing client expectations. Many clients rely heavily on social media platforms like TikTok and Pinterest for design inspiration.
Often, they request designs that may not be feasible in the materials they desire and she often finds herself negotiating with clients who want the cheapest options.
“Sometimes you get the South African boards which are durable, but the client will say it is expensive because it is twice the price of boards made in Uganda,” she said.
Time constraints also pose a challenge. Clients sometimes expect projects to be completed in unrealistic timelines. To manage this, Abeera communicates clearly about her timelines, often adding extra time to ensure she can deliver quality work without rushing.
While she acknowledges the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) in keeping up with trends, she believes that true creativity comes from within.
She cautions fellow interior designers against relying too heavily on AI, stressing that while the technology can provide ideas, it cannot execute the detailed work of an interior designer.
For those looking to work with an interior designer, Abeera offers valuable advice, stressing the importance of understanding the purpose of the space, whether it is residential or commercial. She encourages clients to involve designers from the early stages of construction. By working together, they can avoid potential issues, like ensuring there are enough electrical sockets for lighting fixtures.
“Sometimes a client wants lights on her dressing mirror yet there is no socket in her bedroom; had they involved an interior designer earlier, she would have advised a socket close to where the dressing mirror would be,” she said.
Her passion for design is deeply rooted in her childhood – she grew up in a family that valued creativity and craftsmanship. Her mother introduced her to jewelry making. Together, they would select colors and textures, laying the groundwork for Abeera’s keen eye for design.
In 2018, Abeera graduated from Uganda Christian University (UCU) with a Bachelor of Industrial and Fine Art. Her time at UCU was transformative, filled with creative projects that honed her skills. One class project, an interior design exhibition featuring Scandinavian-inspired designs, portrayed her ability to blend cultures and styles.
She credits her education at UCU for shaping her entrepreneurial mindset, instilling in her discipline and the practical skills she acquired in areas such as tailoring, fabric mixing, and creating mood boards.
The exhibitions she participated in at UCU provided hands-on experience, boosting her confidence to present her work and connect with clients. For instance, she was hired to make furniture for the UCU Kingdom View Pavilion where, to meet the preferences of the client, she used metal and mugavu wood to create a rustic, local feel on the folding round and rectangular tables.
With a growing clientele and a passion for design, she envisions opening more showrooms and producing custom-made furniture in-house, offering clients a complete design experience. She hopes to, one day, set up a design academy, where she can mentor young creatives, sharing her knowledge and inspiring the next generation of designers.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
To support Uganda Christian University programs, students, activities and services, go to www.ugandapartners.org and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.
Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook