I did not think about starting a business. I received my degree from the university in accounting and entered the retail industry. While working at Occitane, as an associate, I began making my own clothes. At first, I made a few things for friends and family then word of mouth spread about the clothes I made. My friends encouraged me to start a fashion business because of the growing interest, their want and my joy. I jumped into entrepreneurialism as foolishly, bravely and confidently as any young and passionate designer would. I emptied my savings into what was to become the beginning of a dream and life time pursuit. Belya was founded on March 21, 2012 in Dakar, Senegal. I ran it from my apartment like so many other business ventures. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. I receive so much happiness, inspiration and creativity from doing what I do that it is hard to imagine myself before.

I specialize in creating original product designs using African and wax print, leather and cotton as my primary materials. The combination of my designs, traditional West African patterns and colors and contemporary Western fashion gives me Belya. Each article created is unique and important to me. There is a sense of perspective, history and donation in everything I make. I believe artists by nature are givers. We do not selfishly create for our selves, crave admiration or sales but to share with others what we see, hear and feel. Fashion is as much about me as it is about the people in and around my life. Belya is the expression of my vision and experiences.

Thank you for allowing me to share my story with you.

Aissatou Sene