Live from the Hub is a monthly feature highlighting one of Bôhten’s leading team members. Learn more about Bôhten and our process here – and be sure to check back often to learn more about our fun staff, our creative process and what’s in store for us!
Meet Nana Kwadwo Osei
Nana Kwadwo Osei (affectionately known as Nana K amongst the team) is Bôhten’s Co-Founder and Creative Lead. Currently operating out of Ghana and overseeing the African expansion, Nana K. utilizes his background in brand and design to lead product development in the company and help shape how consumers perceive and interact with the Bôhten brand. Leveraging over 15 years of experience in marketing and visual communication, he has successfully helped coordinate a wide range of educational, corporate and social events while working in New York and Accra.
Nana K. was the lead designer on Bôhten’s newest Duru Collection frames (both acetate & wood) - whose shape, color and fit were specifically designed to fit the faces of Black people and people of color. Let’s learn a bit more about Bôhten’s Creative Lead and what his day to day looks like while championing this ever growing black-owned eyewear brand.
1) What is it like working for a company that you're also the founder of?
Hella hectic and fun, with a sharp learning curve, especially at the stage of growth Bohten is currently at. I catch myself missing the slower-paced days but there’s no denying that working here has sharpened my business sense and has been a great opportunity to see myself in new ways. Luckily, there's another co-founder (Nana B) I can dump 'wahala' (problems) on when I'm stressed. I’m sure he enjoys that immensely.
(Nana B and Nana K, brothers and Co-founders of Bôhten in Toronto, Canada)
2) What's a typical day like for you at Bôhten?
No day is typical but the consistent activities of late are morning calls on content/communication, upcoming projects, and production. In the afternoon, I’m tackling administrative duties like reviewing documents/paperwork/researching new things that may improve the way we work. If I'm being honest, I do a lot less creative work in my day (which most people know me for). I realized some time ago that it was being channeled into understanding and designing systems and managing people and projects, which is what I believe is essential to having a happy and productive company.
3) What is the most challenging part of your job at Bôhten?
The tightrope act of balancing quality, growth, and the bottom line.
4) What are your favorite pair of Bôhten frames and why?
Right now the special edition Achebe “Asaasei” colorway we created for the Wakanda Forever movie are my favorites. I used a matte green, hues of blue for the lens, and dark brown Wenge wood as the color palette which is as wild as it sounds for a pair of sunglasses. So, it was either gonna be a hit or a miss. But as soon as I unboxed them, I knew they were a keeper.
5) What cool projects are you working on next?
It's year 10 for Bohten, so we have a small capsule commemorating this milestone coming. Aside from those, there are collaborations with a womenswear line and a sports brand in the early stages of development slated to drop this year and in 2024. We are also gearing up for the "Lindiwe", our first cat-eye sunglasses which I’m excited to see released this summer.
Thank you Nana K. for giving us a preview of what your life at Bôhten looks like. The Bôhten community is eager to see what you have in store for us this year and the years to come.