By chasing a spark of inspiration, Patricia Kayanga is changing life for women and girls worldwide, and particularly in third world countries. Kayanga founded Ohhs, the first Black woman-created and patented seamless disposable underwear, made of eco-friendly and biodegradable bamboo. A first-generation immigrant who watched her mother sacrifice everything to ensure a better life for her children, Kayanga is following in her footsteps by ensuring others in need have basic necessities they lack.
“When my father was murdered, there was no plan,” says Kayanga. “It was calculated, abrupt, and brutal. The next thing I knew, it felt like we were in exile in a familiar place and unable to rationalize what happened and why. Suddenly, we had nothing and were living in the slums of Uganda. I don't know how my mom made it to the States. Still, I thank God every day that my father married a resourceful woman because if it wasn't for my mother's tenacity to seek a better life for my siblings and me, I'm certain we would not have the life we have today. Everything I am, everything I do is because of her.”
Kayanga and her siblings came to America a week before her 11th birthday and formed a home base with their mother in Aurora, Colorado. But it was a trip to Bali that inspired her to launch a business.
“I meditated on it for about three years before deciding to take a leap and commit to bringing Ohhs to fruition,” says Kayanga. “After a long trip to Bali for my birthday, I committed to bringing my concept to fruition. My journey to Bali was long, and I wanted a change of underwear to feel mildly fresh, but I only had a few options while in transit. That trip inspired me to stop waiting. I quit my full-time job and focused primarily on researching and developing my business. Fast forward to today, I am working full-time while growing Ohhs.”
Her brand gives back in more ways than one. “Underwear is a basic necessity everyone should have access to, no matter the circumstances, so we donate a pair to a shelter for every box we sell,” says Kayanga. “Our goal is to provide not only local shelters in the DMW area with underwear but women and girls worldwide and in third world world countries.”
To begin, she first had to make a prototype and patent. “At first, I could do it on my own,” says Kayanga. “After all, I quit my job to focus on this full-time. After days of research and wondering whether trying to do it on my own was a good idea, I decided to speak with a lawyer. I'd gotten a subscription with LegalZoom and used the service to meet for legal advice. Paying someone specializing in patents was ideal because it removed my worries so I could focus on the business. My lawyer created a patent in the United States and is now securing a patent in China.”
Finding a manufacturer was one of the many obstacles she has faced along the way. “It has been an interesting obstacle because I spent so much time and energy trying to find a United States manufacturer to create a prototype for me,” says Kayanga. “I eventually found a manufacturer outside of the United States that could bring my vision to life for a cost-effective price. Getting awareness around Ohhs and establishing credibility was another challenge that I soon overcame with the help of my team. A current obstacle that I am facing is funding, as I've invested so much money out of my pocket to grow the business to what it is now. We have some ways to go. However, these obstacles are simply a sign of growth. Increasing sales and building a team is a goal of mine, and I believe we can reach it.”
Joining a mentorship group has been key to moving forward. “A SCORE mentor advised me to go to trade shows to find a manufacturer,” says Kayanga. “I eventually attended my first show, which was very informative, and helped me obtain quite a bit of lead for manufacturers. Choosing to seek help through these types of shows was one of the best decisions I could have made when vetting a reputable company to help bring my vision to life. With creating the prototype, I researched the most sustainable fabrics and knew I wanted to use bamboo due to its numerous eco-friendly and hygienic benefits.
"I then researched textile companies in the US, but I was only willing to work with someone. I finally spoke to one that gave me the real [reason]. He said, ‘We stopped manufacturing underwear here because China took over the market. China is so cheap that we cannot compete. That's why you can't find anyone. We are all going to China.’ I could not afford to go to China then because every penny was crucial. I had to find alternate ways.”
She did. “I stumbled across Alibaba, a China-based hub where you can find many Chinese (and other countries) manufacturers to create your product,” says Kayanga. “So many of them turned me away and thought I was crazy to want to try such a thing. They all wanted me to do cotton. I finally met one who was willing to work with me. I sent her a picture of the prototype I was trying to make, and she then sent me samples of various fabrics. From there, I fine-tuned the product and finally created what I envisioned with the material I wanted after receiving so many nos.”
Along the way, she’s discovered a lot. “My greatest lesson learned is to tune out what brings you down,” says Kayanga. “It has been integral to my growth as an entrepreneur. This journey comes with many highs and lows. The lows can sometimes feel like there is no way you can come up for air, but you can. I'm a living testimony of that. When the going gets tough, and the noise gets too loud, it's important to realign and focus on what truly matters. Keeping the why at the forefront is a way to help tune out what has been sent to destroy you.”
She encourages aspiring women entrepreneurs to “always to remember your mistakes can be your greatest teachers.” Kayanga says, “Always trust and believe in your goals. Just so you know, you don't need to know it all, nor do you not need to have it all. Rejection is part of the journey but not a determinant of the end goal. Lastly, every investment should yield a tangible return on investment.”
Now that she’s taken action, Kayanga hopes for continued support. “We are dedicated to ensuring underwear is accessible to everyone, but we can't do it alone. We are a purpose-driven organization; the more people know about our mission and purchase our products, the more we can give back.”
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