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Beatriz Franck: From the Square to the Fashion Factory

Beatriz Franck, from selling "micates" (cakes) in the square to founding a clothing factory, exemplifies perseverance and success in the fashion world, turning passion into a respected empire.

By Sita Sebastião

Beatriz Franck is a successful entrepreneur who turned her passion for fashion into a respected empire, starting with humble micates in the "square" and culminating in the opening of a clothing factory. In an interview with FORBES AFRICA LUSÓFONA, the businesswoman shares her life journey and how she became an example of determination, innovation, and overcoming challenges.

Born into a poor family, Beatriz started working early to help her mother, who supported the family by selling micates. Since the age of seven, Beatriz sold at the small square, earning small tips which she carefully saved. This entrepreneurial spirit led her to start a small business, buying and selling cookies and canned goods.

In 1999, with 2,000 dollars she managed to save, Beatriz traveled to Brazil, where she stayed in the Penha favela in Rio de Janeiro and later in São Paulo, bought two suitcases of clothes, and began selling them in Cabinda. She sold to her neighbors, friends, and schoolmates, marking the beginning of her journey in the fashion world.

With early success, Beatriz decided to build a store in her backyard, which opened on November 8, 2003. “This is how I started my business career in the fashion world,” she recalls. In 2009, she opened the largest store in the province of Cabinda, the BIBI Shopping Mall, the first department store in Angola, covering 1,000 square meters. This enterprise was a significant milestone, offering a wide range of products, from clothing to furniture, appliances, and home fabrics.

In 2011, Beatriz felt that Cabinda was too small for her ambitions and moved to Luanda. On November 29, 2012, she launched the fashion magazine "Super Fashion." A few days later, she opened a branch of the BIBI boutique in Luanda. The magazine was published for nine years and was often considered the best fashion magazine in Africa. Beatriz represented Angola at haute couture fashion weeks in Paris, London, Milan, and South Africa. However, with the rise of social media, the magazine closed, as people stopped consuming the print version.

In 2015, Beatriz decided to launch her own clothing brand, BEATRIZFRANCK, officially inaugurated on December 12, 2018. During that period, she began working on the project to launch her factory. Before that, in 2021, she opened the headquarters of the BEATRIZFRANCK brand, which also includes a fashion academy, the first of its kind in the country, aimed at training future professionals for her factory.

The culmination of years of work and planning took place on June 21 of last year with the opening of the BEATRIZFRANCK factory. This industrial unit aims to supply her stores and produce uniforms and clothing at affordable prices, mainly for the underprivileged population. “We will make uniforms, other generic brands, and also produce the BEATRIZFRANCK brand,” she explains.

At the beginning of her entrepreneurial career, Beatriz faced numerous challenges. “First, I was very young when I started. Second, I was poor, I didn’t come from a well-known family, I had no access to credit, and no one helped me,” she recalls. The situation in Luanda was also tough. She faced obstacles with the magazine, such as a lack of bank financing and blockages imposed by one of the former president's daughters, who also had a magazine. Despite these difficulties, she managed to establish herself as a successful and respected entrepreneur in Angola.

The Influence of the Miss Title

Beatriz was also Miss Cabinda, a title that helped boost her business. “When I won Miss Cabinda in September 2003, I received a prize of 8,000 dollars and a scholarship,” she says. This prize allowed her to buy goods for her store and fund her first degree at UPRA. Her visibility as Miss increased her sales and brought more customers to her business.

During her time as Miss, Beatriz learned valuable lessons that she still applies to her business. “I learned that the press plays a crucial role,” she says. The experience helped her stay focused on her business goals and develop communication skills and public visibility.

Moving to Paris

The search for better business conditions led Beatriz to move to Paris. “The European market offers more opportunities for young African entrepreneurs,” she explains. In Paris, bank credit rates and customs costs are lower, which facilitates business. Additionally, being in Paris, the fashion capital, gives her brand international prestige and recognition.

Beatriz had already established solid personal and professional foundations in Paris. “I consider it my second city,” she says. The adaptation has been excellent, despite the challenges. She feels this is the right time to move and expand her business in the European market.

It is still too early to assess the impact of the move to Paris on her business in Angola. However, Beatriz believes that having her brand’s base in Paris will make it easier to sell to Europe and obtain bank financing. This will allow her to pay for raw materials or merchandise and export to Angola more easily.

Factory Production

The BEATRIZFRANCK factory will produce uniforms for adults and children and standardized ready-to-wear items such as dresses, pants, shorts, and shirts. The production aims to replace second-hand clothing in the informal market, offering affordable items without compromising quality. The project also includes the production of uniforms for public institutions and private companies, as well as clothing for generic brands and the manufacturing of handmade bags, towels, and napkins. The factory will prioritize the use of raw materials produced by TEXTANG in Angola.

The design process begins with Beatriz's inspirations and the trends from the fashion platforms she follows. She shares the ideas with her designer, who creates sketches. After the final selection, they proceed with making a prototype, correcting any errors. Only then do they decide on the appropriate materials and accessories. “Then we move on to producing the final sample, approval, mass production, labeling, distribution in stores, and selling to the public,” she explains.

Currently, Beatriz owns four stores. The criteria for choosing locations include a minimum of 100 square meters and being on the busiest avenues in the capital.

The investment in the factory amounted to 2.5 million dollars, divided between GRUPO BEFRAN LDA, represented by Beatriz Franck with 70% of the shares, and the Chinese company D&J, which holds 30%. This company produces all BEATRIZFRANCK clothing and provides support in know-how, machinery operation, and importing merchandise.

Beatriz spends most of her time at the factory, where she personally oversees daily operations. The stores, now well-established, require less attention. When she is abroad, she manages operations through online meetings. To ensure operational efficiency, they use Primavera software for factory management and programs like Procreate and Ibis Paint for design.

Currency Crisis in Angola

The currency crisis has been a problem for many entrepreneurs in Angola, including Beatriz. “Sometimes transfers take a long time,” she says. To overcome this issue, they rely on support from the BNA and banks, and the Chinese partner ensures the exit of raw materials without full advance payment.

Beatriz plans to expand the factory and open more stores in Angola and abroad. Expansion is necessary to meet the needs of the Angolan population and explore new clothing lines. In addition, she is considering opening a flagship store of 1,000 square meters and embarking on cosmetic production, a long-held dream.

The company’s sustainability strategy includes the use of synthetic fiber fabrics, such as polyester, which are more durable. “That’s the strategy we’ve adopted,” Beatriz explains.

On the other hand, GRUPO BEFRAN has a social responsibility project that has supported the Betânia orphanage in Cabinda for 17 years. They also distribute essential materials, clothing, and garments to hospitals and social reintegration centers and train young people with different abilities to work at the factory.

The greatest lessons Beatriz has learned throughout her entrepreneurial journey include the importance of hard work, discipline, focus, and self-confidence. “I’ve always believed in myself and never let anyone make me feel inferior for being a woman,” she says. The story of Oprah Winfrey, a successful woman who overcame many adversities, is one of her greatest inspirations.