From dorm room to design hub

Mitch S. Muatuli, a student entrepreneur, is making his mark in the competitive design and printing industry with his company, Design Lab Namibia (DLNA).

A creative spark and a pivotal university experience propelled Muatuli into the world of entrepreneurship. What started as creating phone wallpapers for friends in a university hostel has since evolved into DLNA, a growing multimedia business.

Muatuli, who is currently pursuing a bachelor of arts in applied design, initially ventured into graphic design to express his ideas but soon saw the potential to build a business that could serve a wider clientele.

The road wasn't without its hurdles.

The biggest initial challenge, he notes, was acquiring the necessary equipment. "The tools needed in the creative industry are quite expensive, and I had to start with my NSFAF computer, which wasn't ideal," he says. "It was a struggle, but I pushed through."

Initial obstacles were overcome through perseverance and strategic upgrades, eventually allowing him to offer high-quality content.

"I want to leave a legacy that inspires other Namibian creators, individuals and businesses to start up," Muatuli adds.

"At the end of the day, if you don't set up your lights, your set, and say 'action', you're never going to begin."



A fine balancing act

For Muatuli, the core of his business is building strong client relationships.

"What makes my business unique is its personalised approach. This personalised attention is what keeps our clients coming back," he says. His client-centric philosophy extends to creating a welcoming atmosphere, aiming to be a space where clients feel heard and understood.

Collaboration over competition is a key tenet of his business strategy. He believes in the power of working with other local businesses to foster mutual growth and strengthen the Namibian brand as a whole. "One lesson that continues to guide me today is the value of signing smaller contracts and working with growing local businesses," he shares.

While his company doesn't handle all printing in-house, it has built strong partnerships to cover all aspects of a client's needs.

Balancing the demands of being a student and an entrepreneur requires sacrifice. "Balancing the two isn't easy. Sometimes I have to sacrifice one of the two, usually my personal life," Muatuli admits.

Yet, a fear of being average and a desire to build a lasting legacy fuel his determination.

Looking ahead, he plans to expand his services and continue growing within the local community, with a clear five-year vision. "We want to expand in these areas. This is where my motive is", he explains.

"Once we grow, we hope we are growing with the community because we want to hire local talent."