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Frankitas allows me the Freedom oF time to be
a mum and do what i love at work too.
The turning point for me was when
I realised people had started following us
on social media and ordering our clutches.
i have my ideas at diFFerent moments.
Mostly when I am alone in the car or in the
shower, and in my sleep and when I water
my plants. I am a bit of a scatterbrain.
we source Fabrics From all over the world.
Travelling to find fabrics is the absolute
best. I am like a little girl in a candy store.
Just when I think I have a favourite fabric,
something else comes along that captivates
me. Although to be honest, I don’t travel as
much as I used too. As much as I love it, I
have tried to cut down my travels because
of my children.
as exciting as it is to work with talents From
all over the world, it has some downFalls.
It’s probably the most challenging part of
the business too, because of the logistics.
I have bagmakers in different countries
now so it’s quite challenging for us, not
only in terms of communications, but also
in terms of quality control. There’s a whole
lot of elements we need to factor in. This is
something we are still trying to constantly
improve on.
i’ve been described as a ‘mompreneur’.
I think it’s rather cute and endearing.
There’s quite a lot of mompreneurs now
and I think it’s fantastic because I am a
mum first, and then a businesswoman.
Having the freedom of prioritising is also
one of the best parts of my job, having time
for my children and doing the basics like
school pick-ups, helping them with their
homework, cooking their dinner myself
and putting them to bed.
being a kampung girl at heart, i am always
inspired by nature.
I am usually inspired by the colours,
texture and motifs of the fabric first. Some
of my ideas have been motivated by flora
and fauna and sometimes my children
inspire some of my ideas. I am actually
cooking up something that is inspired by
my eldest daughter, Ava.
my late Father use to say, “be generous and stay
humble, always!”
He was someone I really looked up to,
not only as a parent but as a businessman.
He was ethical, fair and kind to the people
he worked with and for that reason they
were extremely loyal to him. I hope to
make him proud and emulate his legacy in
my work life too.
social media was a huge driving Force For us.
Especially from a branding and sales
perspective, social media was important
for brand awareness not only in Malaysia
but internationally. We started getting
more enquires from abroad because of
the network. For that, I am thankful to
technology and the internet.
i Feel very much connected to my brand.
Frankitas is a simple and humble brand.
A brand that I am passionate about, and
for that reason, I am involved in almost all
aspects of the business: conceptualising,
designing, communicating with the
weavers, production of the bags, sales and
marketing, down to watering the plants in
our gallery garden and making coffee or
tea for our guests and customers. 
Name: Francisca Turner shaik
Job title: Founder and creaTive head, FraNkitas
CloCks iN: 8aM/8.30PM
CloCks out: 3PM/11PM
An Uzbek silk scarf
and travel bag
One of Frankitas'
handwoven bags
Uzbek silk scarves
Semangka clutches
“I am involved in almost all aspects of the business,
down to watering the plants in our gallery garden.”
TEXT:SAMANTHAJOSEPH.PHOTOGRAPHY:KIMMUN/HOPSCOTCHPHOTOGRAPHY.HAIRANDMAKEUP:JOEYYAP
54 ELLE.MY
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Franki Turner has transformed her handwoven bags and accessories label
Frankitas into a fashion favourite within a year. She tells us how she works