Jana Leonard is an excellent example of seeing a need and creating a valuable product that heavily makes the lives of people easier. A situation where her toddler created a mess with vegetables in the house sparked an idea: An innovative way to keep your veggies and anything else out of the reach of your kiddies. And so, Baskiti was born…
Origin of Baskiti
In 2020 during the peak of the pandemic Jana took on the challenge of creating Baskiti, with the presale products selling out in the first few days. Today, the company continues to grow, placing value in creating products that change the lives of their customers for the better.
Importance of functionality when designing products
Jana believes in finding solutions to every challenge, believing that “solutions for a pain point is what makes a good product offering a great one”. Every product for her business is designed to suit the needs of each individual customer. Their JHook, for example, was created to initially hang the baskitis, but has now shown various forms of versatility where the item can be hung in both entryways and bedrooms.
The key to providing a product isn’t that it must be expensive, intricate, or huge. Instead, the most important aspect is ensuring each product or design fulfils its function by solving a specific problem or need.
Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
The most important thing to remember when aspiring to be an entrepreneur is treating each mistake made in the initial phase as an invaluable lesson. Employ people to work in the areas where you don’t have expertise. Always focus on your strengths and expand on them. Practice empathy and know when to give yourself and others a break – this helps to guarantee excellent deliverance. “Success isn’t one-sided, it comes with both big wins and big losses and it’s what you do when these moments show up that will make or break you and your business,” Jana says.
The future of Baskiti
Jana Leonard’s journey with Baskiti exemplifies the power of turning everyday challenges into innovative solutions. From a simple idea sparked by a messy kitchen to a thriving business that continues to grow and adapt, Jana’s story is a testament to the importance of functionality and customer-centric design.
As Baskiti looks to the future with exciting new projects like Custom Woven Designs and the upcoming scalloped woven pelmet, Jana’s commitment to creating valuable, problem-solving products remains at the heart of her entrepreneurial spirit. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs underscores the importance of resilience, empathy, and leveraging one’s strengths. With such a strong foundation, the future of Baskiti is undoubtedly bright, promising continued innovation and impact.
Follow Baskiti on the following platforms:
Website: https://baskiti.co.za/
Instagram: thebaskitico.wovendesign
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Feature image: Supplied
