Meet Nita Brown | Founder, Designer & CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nita Brown and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nita, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
MansaWear originated out of her passion for fashion, creativity and of growing up surrounded by gorgeous Ghanaian fabrics, which were transformed into exquisite, timeless pieces for her mother. Named after my grandmother, Nana Mansa[1], MansaWear’s clean and simple silhouette is influenced by my grandmother’s philosophy of simplicity, tradition and forward-thinking perspective on life. The line’s tailored and minimalist style complements the bright, bold and sassy colors of the fabrics. MansaWear creatively and skillfully uses the classic Ghanaian outfit, a skirt and top known as Kaba ne Slit, as the base of its design platform.

Mansa means “of three”, a derivative of the number three, a birth order name. That is, the 3rd consecutive girl born to the same woman is a Mansa. Three is “miensa” in Akan or Ashanti Twi, one of the predominant language in Ghana.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
MansaWear designs and manufactures ready-to-wear and custom-made clothing using bold patterns and vibrant Ghanaian fabrics in superior 300 plus count cotton, which are machine washable and easy to maintain. We offer one-of-a-kind clothing that provides maximum versatility and flexibility for mixing and matching your MansaWear piece with existing items in ones wardrobe to create endless styles for daily and special occasions. WE CALL THIS THE “MASH-UP! ”

Since MansaWear’s inception on Park Avenue in 2014, revenues have grown by an average of 10% year-over-year and during that same period our customers, straddling all races, gender and ages, have grown to approximately 1,800 through word of mouth and earned media. The incalculable competency of running a small company while working as a school administrator for 6 years has positioned Nita, designer and owner to successfully lead the company now as a full-time entrepreneur. Nita’s 20 years’ experience in fabrics, style and fashion; B.A. in History from Columbia University and an MBA from Georgetown University in international business management; general management experience from Eastman Kodak, American Express, A.T. Kearney, the World Health Organization and Rochester City School District, one of New York State’s Big Five School Districts have positioned Nita to be the right individual for this venture. Nita has demonstrated through hard work, persistence and leveraging the principles of Lean Six Sigma that MansaWear will have the expertise to move the company to the next level.

My proudest moments includes MansaWear surviving the covid-19 pandemic and launching a wholesale business to sell chemo beanies to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Institute. I pivoted the business and used the fabric to make masks and became the exclusive supplier of beanies to Roswell. Roswell Park is the number 3 cancer hospital in New York State.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
1. A trip to Boutique MansaWear, shop and indulge your senses by touching, feeling and seeing a cornucopia of Ghanaian fabric and colors.

2. A trip to Rochester isn’t complete without a visit to The George Eastman House (of Kodak Fame); the Susan B. Anthony House; Mount Hope Cemetery where Fredrick Douglas is buried and Wegmans Supermarket, consistently voted “Best Place to Work” according to Fortune Magazine.

3. A visit to the famous finger lakes: wine and food pairing tasting at any of the fine wineries; bike alongside Keuka Lake: dine and shop at Hammondsport, the picturesque village nestled at the end the lake

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Theresa Mazzullo, Muse and Mentor–convinced me to start MansaWear. Lance Drummond, Advisor & mentor–provides counsel and strategic direction for MansaWear.
Scott Ladin, SCORE Mentor–diligently worked with me on the MansaWear business and story.

Website: www.mansawear.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mansawear/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mansawear/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mansawearnita

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MansaWear

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mansawear-rochester-4

Youtube: MansaWear

Image Credits
MansaWear owns all of the images provided.