Africa is a continent of extraordinary beauty, with a diverse range of landscapes, vibrant colors, and a rich cultural heritage. This is also represented in breathtaking folk art, equally captivating, with a kaleidoscope of hues that reflect the continent's varied ecosystems, from the golden sands of the Sahara to the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.

Funmi Peters brings all these African attributes to Sweden. As founder and owner of the little gift boutique Colours Of Africa in Stockholm, she explores the bustling cities of Lagos, Nairobi, and Johannesburg to source the items she sells in her boutique. She even ventures off the beaten path to rural villages and traditional markets, all to make sure her customers get the authentic art and interior decorating items that are characteristic of African culture and tradition in her boutique. 

Altar Magazine met up with Funmi in her boutique and asked a few quick questions about her business and passion for African arts and design.

Altar- Hello Funmi what is the name of your business?

Funmi-  My boutique is called Colours of Africa and is located in the Southern part of Stockholm inner city.

Altar- Describe your business in one word.

Funmi- Ethical 

Altar- What problem does your business aim to solve?

Funmi- The lack of coverage of African culture in the west.

Altar- What is your solution to that problem?

Funmi- Im helping to showcase the diversity of Africa by presenting the different handcrafts and the stories of different countries and regions. I describe what the crafts are for, why they are made, when they are used and how to use them. That way im educating people with art and crafts about individual countries and also their culture.

Altar- How and when did you get the idea for your business?

Funmi- I have been working with crafts for about 20 years with my beginnings in Nigeria. When I moved to Sweden in from Nigeria in 2009, I wanted to continue with the same business and I came up with Colours Of Africa.

Altar- How does your business make money? 

Funmi- We source, import and sell authentic African art for gifts and interior decorating purposes. Our business model is retail sales in boutique  and  online webshop.

Altar- What is your revenue projection this year?

Funmi-  I really can’t say with the current economic situation.

Altar- What is the craziest thing youve done for your business?

Fenmi- I havent really done any crazy stuff besides long trips to source goods.

Altar- What’s the most amazing moment you’ve had while building your business?

Funmi- The most amazing moment is when I realized my strength and how much I was prepared to endure for my business and seeing my achievement right before my eyes. Also all the surprising moments and praises I get from people that walk into the shop daily

Altar- Where can customers find you and buy your products?

Funmi- Customers can come to the shop at Östgötagatan 36, Stockholm or visit our website at www.coloursofafrica.se and on Instagram @colours_of_africahome

Altar- Thank you so much for sharing Fenmi and good luck with your business.