Local Changemakers Social Enterprise Stories!

Last year I was at an event and met Emmanuella of Patella Fashions

She had a stall there and was selling beautiful craftwork, bags, wallets and more.

All products are made in Ghana and look very nice! I was impressed and wanted to learn more about her and her social enterprise.

1. Emmanuelle, where are you originally from?

I am originally from Ghana, where I grew up in a community that values entrepreneurship, social impact, and collective progress. My background and experiences strongly influence the kind of work I do today.

2. Why did you move to Europe, and where?

I moved to Europe to broaden my professional experience and explore opportunities that would allow me to support development initiatives back home. Being in Europe has helped me gain exposure, networks, and resources that I can channel into community-based projects in Ghana.

3. What kind of social business did you set up and why?

I created a small community-based fashion brand that hires and trains young people who struggle to find stable work. I started this initiative after noticing how many local youths were dropping out of school with limited opportunities to build a future.

My vision was to create something practical — a business that teaches real skills, provides steady income, and builds confidence. The goal is to run a fashion brand that not only produces high-quality accessories, shoes, and bags but also creates pathways for young people to grow, learn, and contribute meaningfully to their community.

4. What does the collaboration with the local community look like?

Collaboration with the local community is central to my model. I work closely with artisans, young creatives, and local workshop teams to design and produce the items.

This includes:

• Co-creating designs

• Choosing materials as a group

• Training young people who want to learn tailoring, leatherwork, and design

• Giving artisans and team leaders responsibility over parts of production

• Encouraging everyone to contribute ideas that shape the final products

Local ownership is reflected in how community members take charge of certain processes, run small workshop units, and see their creativity represented in the brand. They earn an income, gain confidence, and feel proud knowing the products reflect their identity and craftsmanship.

5. How do you get the products to Europe?

For now, I transport products to Europe through personal travel or through trusted individuals who are travelling and can bring an extra bag. It is a simple system, but it works for my current scale and allows me to manage quality and logistics carefully.

6. What were the obstacles you faced and how did you overcome them?

As an African entrepreneur in the diaspora working in fashion, the biggest challenge has been building this project without external support or funding. Everything so far has come from my own savings, my own time, and my determination to keep going.

Other challenges include:

• Helping customers understand the cultural and creative story behind the products

• Managing production from a distance, which sometimes slows things down

• Building a brand while juggling limited resources

I address these challenges by starting small and staying consistent. I work closely with my team back home, maintain strong communication, and make sure each piece reflects quality and purpose. Sharing the story behind the brand has helped people connect with the work. Even without funding, I continue to push forward by learning, adapting, and making the most of every resource available.

7. Tips for other African Diaspora who want to build a social business or sell products from Africa

• Start small, start simple, and grow steadily.

• Understand your product and the story behind it — storytelling is powerful.

• Build strong relationships with the community back home.

• Invest in quality and consistency.

• Use whatever tools, networks, and opportunities you have — don’t wait for perfect conditions.

• Be patient and persistent; social businesses take time, but the impact is worth it.

You can follow Emmanuella on instagram and learn more about her brand:

 https://www.instagram.com/patella_fashion/