We had the good fortune of connecting with Georges Bijoux and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Georges, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My brand, like many, started by solving a need. When I was in college in business school, I always found myself searching for suitable neckties for my interviews and career fares. Everyone I found didn’t seem to resonate with my style. So I found the perfect fabric pattern that embodies my sense of style and learned to sew ties from scratch. That one project eventually led to many more ties. Once I sold a few to some of my classmates, I realized I was on to something!
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
OSSAWA was created to help the world see the glory of God within. The brand was conceived by Ivorian American Contemporary Designer Georges Bijoux in 2012. OSSAWA translates to “God is Great” in Avikam, Which is one of the African Lagoon Languages of Grand Lahou, Spoken within the Ivory Coast.
We believe that people with unique perspectives can change the world for the better. To honor those with the courage to stand out and share their amazing views, we created our products for visionaries as they seek to empower their perspectives.
Every product that is branded with the indelible OSSAWA crest is made for the sole purpose of equipping you on your journey towards self-discovery and self-mastery.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Washington DC is a beautiful city! What I like most about the city is that it is a cultural melting pot with history. If I were to take a friend around town, I would take them to some of my favorite art galleries like Gallery O on H or HOMME DC. It would be hard to pick food options, but you can’t go wrong with anything in or around the UNION market. in the evening, it would be cool to tour the national mall as the sun goes down and marvel at the archetcthture
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My support came from so many places. These are my top 3:
– God
– Friends
– Family
Website: www.OSSAWA.com
Instagram: @ossawa.decor
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/Aguehounde/
Image Credits
photo of eyewear by Hamza BM