Interview: Kgali Kedijang
CAN DO! - Top 6 finalist
Kgali Kedijang is the brilliant founder behind The Creative Bar, a forward thinking legal consultancy servicing creative entrepreneurs. The Creative Bar’s impressive range of serves include entertainment law, intellectual property and serving as agents or representatives for recording artists, models, athletes, actors, actresses, designers and writers. We chatted to the CAN DO! finalist about the inspiration behind The Creative Bar and her entrepreneurial journey thus far.
Q: Who is Kgali?
A: I find this question difficult to answer because it is so limiting and I want to believe that I am always evolving into a better version of myself, whatever that may be at any given time.
So right now, I am just an African girl who is building a life that resembles that of a creative freedom fighter. I think that I am called to serve the underdog. So whether I am advocating against racism, patriarchy or in this case, the acknowledgement of the value of creativity and innovation, my spirit is always drawn to equality and justice. I am awakened by anything that has to do with entrepreneurship, human rights, education, the arts and black girls.
Q: What was the catalyst that inspired you to start your own business?
A: Uhm have you stepped into an elite corporate law firm?!? It is no place for a creative like me.
But the biggest reason is that those white boy environments do nothing to acknowledge your value as a black woman and I wasn't prepared to spend my life fighting and justifying my worth. I, therefore, had to be just as unapologetic about starting something that would showcase our brilliance, both as legal professionals and creatives. I really hope one day a black girl will walk into The Creative Bar and not be side-lined because her name was too "difficult" to pronounce in the country of her birth.
Q: What has your experience as an entrepreneur been like thus far?
A: Most of the time I feel like crawling into foetal position and crying. But with the same intensity, I would not change it for the world. There is just something so addictive about your ideas living outside of your head. I really can't think of anything more satisfying than seeing your vision come to life. Overall, I am grateful that I am living a life that I have chosen for myself, failures and all.
Q: What is the vision for The Creative Bar within the next 5 to 10 years?
A: You guys really know how to overwhelm a girl. I am just trying to take it one task at a time.
The only thing I am sure of is that The Creative Bar will mirror a creative wall around the African continent, protecting African creativity and innovation from cultural expropriation. Just the thought that Africans will one day realise the fruits of their labour keeps me going.
Q: What inspired you to enter the CAN DO! #UnbreakableS2 competition and what was your reaction when you made it to the top 6?
Fun fact: Money makes money and there is absolutely nothing more frustrating than being held captive by the lack of resources. Basically, I entered because I needed to free myself.
It is always so emotional for me when external people see and value the story I am trying to tell with my life. But I am trying to teach myself not to be so shocked because if you take a chance on yourself every day, it is inevitable that you will make it to the top.
Q: What advice would you offer aspiring entrepreneurs?
Stop worrying about creating the perfect product and focus on getting your product into the market. The only people who will guide you in producing a perfect product are the consumers themselves.
Trust your work but always remember that trust is only possible if you know that in everything, you gave it your best shot. The worst that can happen is that you fail and will get to use that failure into becoming a better entrepreneur.
Lol, also forget about nice things for a while, your bank balance will be shocked at your audacity to keep up with Instagram.
P.S It is okay to ask for help. You can’t be everything all the time, even if you make it look easy.
Learn more about Kgali's inspirational journey by checking out the below vid and you can vote her to win R 100 000 in business resources by visiting http://bit.ly/2JXxCKE