Amy de Castro

Background of Entity: Bamboo Revolution was brought to life via the University of Cape Town’s Postgraduate Entrepreneurship Programme in 2012. Company owner, Amy de Castro, was completing this Postgraduate programme when she was presented with the challenge of starting up a business with a “loan” of R50. From this starting point, she and her teammates needed to raise funds to set up their business. The business flourished and today the bamboo wristwatches are being lapped up in the local and international fashion-scape. Bamboo Revolution grew with Amy buying out her partners and tapping into the e-commerce market worldwide. The product was sold through the brand’s online store, before being launched into local boutique stores, as well as sold through Bamboo Revolution distributors in various counties. Today the bamboo watch range is sold in 9 different countries, including: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Australia, Denmark, Iceland, Germany, Belgium and France. Amy recently set up a company in the United States, as she is focusing her efforts on further expanding her distribution network abroad, with a large focus to optimse on online marketing and e-commerce sales. Entity Ownership: In February 2013, Amy de Castro bought out her three original partners, to become the sole owner of Bamboo Revolution (Pty) Ltd. Amy has since grown the business with a new team of 3 full-time employees, as well as other local small businesses, to whom she outsources aspects of the business. Vision:  BR has the vision of being the first major ‘natural’ wristwatch company out of Africa. BR aims to continue to grow into new markets internationally, as well as expand its product offering, introducing new wristwach designs. BR is focused on continuously streamlining processes, to enable it to increase its scalabitliy. Mission: Bamboo Revolution is focused on designing not just another wristwatch but rather a functional statement piece, for the style conscious eco-consumer, who has an appreciation for the creative and a love for the aesthetic. BR has developed an affordable product and brand that people feel good about wearing and supporting, by incorporating the idea of sustainablity throughout every aspect of their business and offering a unique customer experience. BR is commited to providing efficient and personal service to each individual customer.  Awards* Selected as one of the three finalists for Sub-Saharan Africa, for the 2014 Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards. See more details about the awards here: http://www.cartierwomensinitiative.com * Winner of the Fairlady Rising Star Award 2015. More details here: http://talkmediaafrica.com/2015/08/20/fairlady-magazine-announces-the-w…