How 26-Year-Old Nigerian Lady Made Two Million Dollars From $500 Business In New York

A 26-year-old Nigerian lady named Kelechi Anyadiegwu who lives in New York, has become a viral internet sensation. Her business idea which led to the birth of online African clothing store Zuva allowed her to invest $500 into what, at the time, seemed like a small effort. However, two years down the line, her small business has raked in about $2 million in sales earning her a spot on Forbes’ 30 under 30 list.


Here is what CNN had to say about this incredible Nigerian entrepreneur:

What started with a compliment turned one young woman's idea into a million dollar business. When Kelechi Anyadiegwu started her online African clothing store Zuvaa with $500 two years ago, her idea was to share African-inspired designs with consumers around the world. Zuvaa is estimated to make $2 million in sales in 2016.

After receiving a compliment on her outfit, the tech savvy 24-year-old bought a domain name and started social media accounts.

"I didn't really know what I was getting into, I just had a vision and I was excited about where that would take me," New York-based Anyadiegwu told CNN in an interview.

"As a women of Nigerian descent, I grew up with African prints and fabrics. I loved wearing African inspired designs, and whenever I did wear these pieces, people wanted to know how they could also shop African inspired prints."

Instead of just referring these curious customers on to the designers she knew, Anyadiegwu saw a business opportunity.

"I decided to use my skills in social media marketing and onlinecommunity building, to create a platform that would provide more exposure for the talented African-inspired fashion designers I knew existed around the world," she said.