26 Jan 2017

A lot has been said on the need for youth to come up with business initiatives to sustain themselves and create employment rather than depend on government to provide job opportunities.

Even though the message might be clear, it takes courage to turn those words into reality so as to realise tangible results. Ms Ntebogang Malete, an Accounting and

Finance graduate is one of those who has been able to gather courage by eventually opening a small clothing business called Threadz.

Despite having started small, she is hopeful that one day she will be operating a big retail store.

The 25-year-old who is based in Mahalapye makes ends meet by selling clothes, shoes and doing manicure for her clients. Ms Malete is not shy to share her business journey adding that although her business was still at infancy stage, she was doing very well.

“It is not easy waking up uncertain whether you will make some sales or not, but now that I have gained trust among my clients. I always wake up with assurance. I have a vision for Threadz and I know its capabilities and potential,” she said of her business.

She said her aim was to give clients the latest fashion trends at affordable prices because she understands that not many people earn a lot of money while most of their customers were unemployed youth.

She said Threadz was born after she discovered her love for shopping hence her decision to look for a name associated with the clothing and textile industry. She also added that each time she went shopping people will admire her style and taste in clothes and from this, a business opportunity came into being.

Although she has plans of tailoring clothes herself, she has at the moment decided to buy from other African countries for re-sale. Ms Malete explained that her plan was to compete with large retail stores and have branches in different parts of the country.

“I trust that one day the store will grow and have branches in other towns and the amount of hard work I put in will eventually be worth it,” she said.

She said her motivation comes from other businesses that started with one branch but has expanded.

Like any other business, Ms Malete said she also encounters challenges such as lack of funds to help her meet the growing demand and timely response to the latest fashion trends.

“In this business it is vital to always be up-to-date with the latest fashion trends otherwise you will lose clients. She said it was also vital for business people, especially those new in the industry to gather as much knowledge and experience as possible by all means, including reading a lot. Reading helps me appreciate that it is normal to encouter difficulties and as I learn from the lives of other entrepreneurs I get motivated. I am currently reading a book by Rhonda Bryne called ‘The secret’,” she said.

She explained that this book speaks to her in many ways as it reveals secrets one needs to do to not only have a successful business, but to also have a great life while doing what they love. BOPA