Enlyte is more than just a brand; it’s a reflection of two young entrepreneurs' shared vision to innovate, support local craftsmanship, and champion sustainability. Founded by Suleïmaan Mahomed and Varun Bhikoo, this clothing and accessories brand is proudly "Made in Moris."

In this exclusive interview, the founders share their inspiring journey, the challenges they overcame, and their future aspirations for Enlyte. Dive into the story of a local brand redefining entrepreneurship in Mauritius.

Who are the founders of Enlyte? 

Enlyte was founded by Suleïmaan Mahomed, 26, and Varun Bhikoo, 27. They met at university while studying Banking & Finance. Their shared passion for business and ambition to create something new led them to embark on an entrepreneurial journey together. After graduating, they decided to apply their financial skills in a more creative and dynamic field, which resulted in the creation of Enlyte, a local brand for clothing and accessories.

You are two friends. Why did you go into entrepreneurship?

We are two friends passionate about entrepreneurship, and our decision to launch Enlyte stems from several reasons. First, our background in Banking & Finance gave us a strong understanding of the business world, but we wanted to apply these skills in a more creative and dynamic setting. We’ve always been drawn to the idea of creating something new and having a direct impact on our community.

With Enlyte, we saw an opportunity to combine our analytical skills with our creativity to meet a growing demand for quality local products. We also wanted to engage in a project aligned with our values, like supporting local and sustainable production while adding a unique touch to our creations.

Entrepreneurship allows us to control our professional path, tackle challenging obstacles, and see the direct results of our efforts, which is incredibly rewarding.

What motivated the creation of Enlyte?

Enlyte was born from our desire to break new ground and use our skills in a more creative and innovative field. We wanted to create unique, stylish products while engaging in a sector that we are passionate about.

We’ve always been keen on supporting the local economy and promoting "Made in Moris" products. Creating Enlyte allows us to contribute to this effort while ensuring high-quality production.

Another major motivation was to launch a company with eco-responsible values. Our partnership with an NGO for recycling plastic waste from production shows our commitment to integrating sustainability into our business model.

Entrepreneurship enables us to follow our own rules, make our own decisions, and see the direct impact of our work. It’s a rewarding journey where each day brings new challenges and satisfaction.

In summary, Enlyte was born from our desire to create, innovate, and make a difference in our community while aligning our actions with strong values like sustainability and support for the local economy.

What challenges did you face before opening Enlyte?

Before opening Enlyte, we faced several challenges that tested our determination and ability to overcome obstacles.

Coming from a different background, we had to quickly acquire skills in the fashion and textile industry, particularly in design, production, and running a clothing business. We had to learn to handle new tools, like managing a workshop with specialised equipment. Securing quality materials was also a real challenge. We needed to ensure collaboration with reliable suppliers capable of delivering on time while meeting the quality standards we wanted to offer our customers.

Like any young business, initial funding was an obstacle. We had to carefully assess our costs to purchase necessary equipment while staying within our budget. We had to be cautious with investments, especially in terms of machinery and software, to ensure a good start without overextending our finances.

Before even starting production, we needed to develop a strong brand identity for Enlyte. This included designing the logo, creating a distinctive brand message, and positioning the company in the market. Finding the right communication and marketing strategy, particularly on social media, required many hours of brainstorming and testing.

As a small team, we had to manage various aspects of the business ourselves: production, logistics, marketing, and administration. Dividing tasks and staying efficient, especially in the beginning, was a real challenge.

Despite these challenges, our passion, perseverance, and clear vision for Enlyte helped us overcome these obstacles and successfully launch the business.

Why did you choose Bagatelle Mall for your first retail location?

Bagatelle Mall is one of the most popular shopping malls in Mauritius. It attracts a large, diverse audience, both local and international. By being present in this mall, we gain maximum exposure for our Enlyte brand, which is key for a first retail outlet. The mall attracts a varied clientele with substantial purchasing power, aligning with our target for the clothing and accessories we offer. We wanted to be in a location where customers are willing to invest in quality local products, which matches our brand positioning.

In summary, Bagatelle Mall proved to be the ideal place for our first retail location due to its strategic location, diverse clientele, and potential to provide strong visibility for the Enlyte brand.

Do you plan to open other retail outlets in Mauritius?

Yes, we do indeed plan to open more retail outlets in Mauritius in the future. Expansion is part of our vision for Enlyte, but we want to do it thoughtfully and progressively. Before opening other outlets, we first want to establish our first store at Bagatelle Mall, ensure high customer satisfaction, and build a loyal clientele. This will give us a solid foundation to consider further expansion. Each new location will need to be carefully selected based on traffic potential, demographics, and customer profile.

Alongside permanent stores, we’re also considering launching pop-up stores during events or in strategic areas at certain times of the year to test new markets before fully committing to them.

Our goal is to strengthen Enlyte’s presence in Mauritius by developing a network of retail outlets in key areas across the country while remaining true to our values of quality, local production, and sustainability.

Enlyte has just received the "Made in Moris" label. What does this milestone represent for you?

Receiving the "Made in Moris" label for Enlyte is an extremely significant and symbolic milestone for us. This label is an official recognition of our commitment to local production and the quality of our products. It validates our efforts to ensure that our t-shirts and accessories are carefully crafted and meet high standards. This reinforces our credibility with our customers and the general public.

The "Made in Moris" label is more than just a distinction; it reflects our desire to actively contribute to the local economy. By working with local suppliers and partners, we help support the Mauritian textile industry and create job opportunities in our community.

This label also aligns with our eco-responsible values. By producing locally, we reduce our carbon footprint and limit our environmental impact. Our partnership with an NGO for recycling plastic waste is also part of this broader approach, which is further strengthened by obtaining the label.

The "Made in Moris" label allows us to proudly promote Mauritian identity through our products. We’re proud to say that our creations are made here in Mauritius, showcasing local craftsmanship. This brings us closer to our customers, who share this pride in supporting local brands.

On a commercial level, the "Made in Moris" label gives us a competitive advantage. More and more Mauritian consumers prefer buying locally-made products to support the country’s economy. This label helps us stand out in the market and attract customers who prioritise local and ethical products.

In summary, receiving the "Made in Moris" label is a recognition of our commitment to quality, local production, and sustainability. This marks an important step in our growth and strengthens our position as a committed player in the Mauritian textile industry. It’s a great source of pride for us and an additional motivation to keep growing while staying true to our values.