Beedesigned Studio
Name of founder: Wadzanayi Kim Bwanya
Location: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Date launched: June 2018
Number of employees: 3
Website: www.beedesignedstudio.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beedesignedstudio/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beedesignedstudio/
What does your business do?
Beedesigned Studio is a web design and development agency based in Belmont, Bulawayo. Our services include UI/UX design, digital product design, website development and web application development.
Where did the idea for your business come from?
While in university, I was heavily involved in startup communities within and outside Zimbabwe. This fostered an interest in using tech-based solutions to solve everyday problems. I noticed that as much as the world was rapidly advancing technologically, Zimbabwe, or rather most Zimbabwean businesses where lagging behind. I saw this gap and decided to fill it using what I understood best - code & pixels.
How did you know there was a market for it?
I had a lot of people approaching me wanting platforms built for their respective businesses. It always baffled me why I was getting such requests yet there was a seemingly plethora of web development agencies. I did thorough research on this and realised that there was in fact a great need for web development agency in Bulawayo, that truly cared about the success of its clients and its clients’ clients.
What were you doing before launching your business?
I was in school, studying for a BSc Honors Degree in Computer Science. I actually launched the business during my final year of university.
Have you always dreamed of starting a business?
Yes, I knew that I could be the best version of myself by being in an environment that encouraged creativity and that cared about more than just the numbers on the balance sheet. Then I thought...why don’t I create that environment and see how it goes?
How did you finance your business?
I bootstrapped it, until the business reached a stage where it could sustain itself
What are the main challenges you have faced? And how did you overcome them?
Lack of planning:
Running a business without a solid business plan is like a headless chicken trying to run a race. You will put in a lot of work and yield little to no results. I learnt this the hard way. The lesson I learnt was that a business plan is a blueprint to your business, it’s worth the effort to work on it diligently and implement the action plans. Chances of a business with a solid, well-researched plan failing are minimised.
Hiring wrong:
I didn’t take the right steps when hiring, so it would result in getting the wrong person for a job and expectations not being met. Lesson - take your time when hiring, make sure the candidate’s values and your values align , also ensure expectations from both ends are clearly outlined before you start working together.
What has your experience been of the Byo tech meetups and the community?
Amazing! My network has become richer just by attending community meetups and interacting with the members on both professional and personal levels. I’ve gained business through the Byo Tech Hub too!
What have you gone to do from your engagement with the Byo Tech hub ?
Of particular highlight is when ByoTechHub connected me with Hans Blom, a business developer based in Byo. At first I was skeptical about working with a ‘business developer’ but as our business relationship grew, I got to appreciate the value he added to my business. We revised my whole business plan and with his years of experience, Hans helped me see things in a different light and start implementing winning strategies within the business.
What is one resolution you have for your business this year?
To triple the turnover with a net profit increase of 50% and keeping 80% of the production costs flexible.
How do you see your business developing in the next three years?
Beedesigned will be the biggest web development agency south of Zimbabwe. Helping social enterprises create solutions that are meaningful for the economic and social development of the communities they function within.