Our Blog

Meet Bee Loko founder of Adelaide based boutique Chaya Accessories. The boutique offers a wide selection of bold and colourful statement accessories from fabric earrings to headbands and Zulu hats. Bee is also a wife, mother of three and a theology student. Learn more about the inspiration behind Chaya Accessories, what motivates her and how she balances work, life and home.

MEET BEE

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

I usually describe myself as a wife, a mother of three, and a business owner. But there's so much more about me. I like to think of myself as Fun, bold, creative, and a lover of all things colorful. My faith and my spirituality are a huge part of my life. I like setting pretty outdoor dinners at home, and random high tea parties, infant I collect tea cups and teapots for fun. Journaling is my therapy, I do it daily. Pray is my favorite weapon. My dream is to buy a caravan, homeschool the kids, and live on a farm. It’s always hard to talk about yourself, I never know what direction to take, in summary, I’m an optimistic wife, mother of three, and business owner. 

Talk to us about Chaya Accessories and the inspiration behind the business?

Our story began in 2016, I left my full-time work because I wanted to spend more time with Chaya who was only a year old at the time. While at home with plenty of time in my hands, I began creating home decor and accessories with African print fabrics. What started as a hobby turned into a business without me knowing what I was doing. The idea was to create bold and colorful wearable statement pieces with the touch of Africa, but I also wanted to share a message that reflected my personality and my belief. I had no idea what to call the business, I did not think of doing proper research or asking for advice, I was wise in my own understanding. So I combined Chaya's name, my faith in opening a boutique, and the African fabrics I used for the products. That’s how Chaya Boutique Liputa's name came to exist. (Liputa is a Lingala word for African materials)

We’ve faced many setbacks along the way including the name being a major confusion and a huge frustration, Chaya, my baby girl still continues to be my source of inspiration after 6 years. Now, Chaya Accessories hopes to promote Joy and confidence through our bold and colourful handmade pieces. 

What type of products can we expect to find at Chaya Accessories?

At Chaya Accessories we provide a wide range of earrings, such as fabric earrings, coffee pod earrings, wooden earrings, and more. We love a good hair crown and we provide different styles of headwraps, headbands, wire headbands, bonnets, scrunchies, Zulu hats, and more. You can also find rattan bags with a touch of Africa at Chaya Accessories, statement necklaces, bangles, and a small collection of ready-to-wear clothing. 

What advice can you give to other women who are hoping to start their own business?

Do not be afraid to approach a business you admire and ask insightful questions. This is a mistake I made, I automatically thought that no one will help me and so I never asked. I struggled on my own and in silence. When I started reaching out to people, I was surprised by how much information some businesses were willing to share. Those who choose to withhold information from you, pay them no mind and move to the next person. 

You are a wife, mother of three, business owner and a student. How do you balance work, home and life?

I get asked this question all the time, and I usually answer by saying “ I don’t know, it just happens”. The truth is I used to multitask a lot, especially during the first term of my studies, and this left me exhausted and with a sense of unfulfillment. I’ve stopped multitasking, in fact, I'm unlearning to multitask in many areas of my life. Back to the question, I balance family, business, and studies by wearing the right hat at the right time. For example, when I'm with the kids, I wear a motherhood hat, and I do nothing study or business-related. As soon as the clock hits 8 pm, my kids know that I'm not a mother anymore because the motherhood hat comes off and my study or business hat comes on. It took some time and discipline to lock this routine with the family, but I can honestly testify that it works well for me and my family. Oh, I probably should also be honest and add that my mother-in-love steps in and rescues me on the days when I get overwhelmed, a story for another time. 

What motivates you to keep going?

My children believe in me more than I believe in myself. Every time I think of quitting, I think of how devasted they will be. My parents and sibling constantly remind me of how much of a spiration I am to them, my husband who is my personal coach pours so much of him into me, and my mother-in-love literally invests her money in me.

My tribe of people are standing for me and with me and that is what motivates me and keeps me going. 

What does beauty mean to you?

To me, beauty is something that we project outwardly about our inner being. Our unique creativity allows us to express it in various styles.

What are three favorite products in your beauty arsenal

The lip bar lipstick. I’m a lipstick girl, Matte only thou, and preferably dark colors.

Hand moisturizer it’s like hand therapy for me. Just before Crabtree & Evelyn closed their physical stores in Australia, I stocked up on 2 years worth of hand moisturizer.

A really good tweezer, the one that gets your eyes watery while plucking out stubborn hair. :)

What’s next for you?

I’m excited that I’ll be done with bible college towards the end of November, I’m looking forward to giving Chaya Accessories my full attention again and venturing out into new spaces with theology in mind.

Keep up with Bee 

Shop Chaya Accessories: chayaboutiqueliputa.com

Instagram:  @chayaboutiqueliputa

Facebook:    @chayaboutiqueliputa

Faith-based page on Instagram:  @mrsloko