Mumbai: Joanne Baban Morales is a successful entrepreneur, brand builder, and a role model for women everywhere. Born in Colombia, Joanne was raised in the UK from the age of 9, after her parents moved to the country in search of a better life for their family. Joanne’s mother is Colombian, and her father is Arab, and the sacrifices they made for her have driven Joanne to achieve incredible things.
Joanne’s entrepreneurial journey began at the age of 18 when she started her first business, a Photobooth hiring company. This was after working three jobs from the age of 16 to save up money to invest in her business. She had been getting fired from jobs and needed to support her family financially. Joanne has now been an entrepreneur for 12 years and has never looked back.
Joanne’s early life was tough; her family arrived in the UK with nothing, and her parents had to work hard to provide for the family. However, things got easier as they settled down, and Joanne continued to thrive in school, even selling clothing and trainers at the age of 14. Despite her success, things got difficult again when her parents split, and she had to work three jobs to support herself and her mother. It was out of necessity and her inability to hold down a job that led her to start her Photobooth business.
Despite the initial success of her Photobooth business, things took a turn for the worse when all her machines and vans were stolen, leading to severe depression. This setback was a significant turning point for Joanne, and she learned that in business, tenacity is key.
Joanne eventually found success in branding and e-commerce, using her interest in clothing to start her own brand, Nunude. Her brand became famous for changing the definition of the word “nude” in the Oxford Dictionary and providing opportunities to underrepresented women. She also built brands for celebrities and rejected a £350k investment from a potentially inappropriate investor, demonstrating her values as a role model for women in business.
Joanne’s experiences have taught her that women need to work harder and be fluid like water, moving with the times and being open to constructive criticism. Her current focus is on building a fund to invest in brands and businesses targeting underrepresented women, showing her commitment to supporting others on their entrepreneurial journeys.
Joanne’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and determination, showing that every setback can be an opportunity for growth. Her advice to other entrepreneurs is to learn everything they can from the industry, stay ahead of the competition, and learn from those who are doing what they want to do. Joanne’s story is an inspiration to anyone who wants to achieve their dreams, no matter how big or small.