Setting up a new business and wanting help and advice

Hello!

HAVE YOU EVER SET UP A BUSINESS BEFORE?

I am looking to set up a business in the UK, using homeware and gift suppliers from Dar but do not yet have any contacts, which is where you come in!

Having visited Dar last year, I was drawn to the craftsmanship in local gifts and products and I am looking for suppliers to provide me with stock which can be sent to the UK to sell.

The type of products I am looking to sell include jewellery, accesories, gifts, homeware (am open to suggestions), basically anything Tanzanian-influenced using shells, driftwood, beads, kitenge, seeds, leather and recycled materials.  For example, I purchased a beautiful beaded necklace made with kitenge material when I visited Dar, in addition to a candle/plant holder made from a coconut - so simple yet very effective.

If you may know of any suppliers in Dar who can produce products like this then please get in touch. I will also be looking for a shipping agent once things are up and running, to ensure everything is packed and sent out to the UK properly.

I will be flying out to Dar in July for a couple of weeks, so would be really excited to meet anyone with any advice or information. Thanks for reading my post.