I Started Learning Shoemaking In 2016: Young Man Who’s Maximising ASUU Strike to Boost His Business Speaks
A Nigerian man who is also an undergraduate at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Olayinka, has in an interview spoken about his shoe-making business and how his tweet which went viral days ago boosted sales for him. He looks forward to a future of infinite possibilities.
In explaining how it all began, Olayinka revealed that he has been making shoes since 2016 after he finished secondary school.
The hardworking Nigerian man said that he already had shoemaking in mind before graduation. Olayinka revealed that his first interest was in bag making but that changed when the cost of apprenticeship was high.
Source: Twitter
Combining undergraduate studies with business
Olayinka stated that it has truly not been easy juggling the two tasks together. He always makes use of the free time holidays and lecture-free weeks offer to work more on his craft.
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In his words:
“Yeah, I won't lie, it's not easy especially when you're in session but it's a bit easier when we are on holidays, even when we're in session, I do night shifts to meet up with customers demands and I work on my lecture free days too. I try all my best to balance school and my work, I don't allow anyone affects each other.”
Olayinka’s viral tweet that brought him to the limelight
The UNILAG undergraduate said that when he made the post on Twitter, it was done with high hope that it would have a wider reach, and it did.
According to him, the tweet made orders flow in for him and people started giving him more attention. He said:
“It has just been awesome after that post and I hope my next post blows up too. And I hope ASUU calls off the strike soon.”
Speaking about the photo of the shoe he shared on Twitter, he said that placing a price on the footwear came from him looking at the materials involved in the making of the shoe.
I hope Nigerians love local brands more
Olayinka stated that though the price may change in the future to reflect economic realities, it is selling for N30,000 presently. His brand is different from others because he does not waste precious time copying from others.
This is what he said he would rather do:
“I'd rather draw inspiration from them and I create mine.”
How long does it take to finish a pair?
Olayinka who said it takes 10 working days to get a pair of shoes ready added that one of the challenges he had in the past was why he never posted anything about his works. He said he felt Nigerians prefer foreign brands to homegrown designs.
Another young shoemaker
Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that a smart young Nigerian lady, Adeosun Goodness Taiye, made waves as a shoemaker despite being a 400-level dentistry student at the University of Ibadan (UI).
She said she started making shoes in 2018 after she just sat her Cambridge A levels and was quite bored at home.
After gaining admission into UI as a 200-level student and showcasing her pieces, her classmates loved her work and they asked her to make for them.
Source: Legit.ng
