Madrid System Success Story: M’Simbi – Spreading Self-Love Globally, One Doll at a Time
July 25, 2023
We have just released a new success story highlighting how the Madrid System supports innovative entrepreneurs who want their brand to make a difference even beyond their national borders.
What do you do when society tricks you into believing you do not fit in? You carve your own path and you make your voice heard! This is exactly what Maingaila Moono – former biostatistician and now full-time entrepreneur from Zambia – did when she realized that her daughter did not feel like she complied with traditional beauty standards.
Her little girl motivated Maingaila to find a way to manufacture Black dolls, and to set up her own business - M’Simbi- whose mission is to teach young girls to be proud of their cultural identity and aware of their own unique beauty.
M’Simbi products now range from dolls to backpacks, and from clothes to hair accessories, and are exported to the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
International trademark protection in those countries through the Madrid System is what truly allowed M’Simbi to take off, opening up doors to major international e-commerce platforms.
I would definitely encourage local entrepreneurs to apply for trademark protection both locally and internationally. When PACRA (Patents and Companies Registration Agency in Zambia) told us that you can register your trademark in many countries at once with the Madrid System, it really intrigued us.
Maingaila Moono
Want to share your story?
Do you own or represent a company that currently uses the Madrid System? Would you like to share your story – illustrating how you have leveraged the Madrid System to secure international trademark protection? If yes, please contact us! Just (select “Something else” under “My request concerns”, and tell us about your brand).