22 Jan 2014

He had to spend long hours labouring under the blistering heat of the Kgalagadi sun, but it was a time well spent for Christopher Madongorere.

After long, hot and sweaty days, Madongorere would collect the day’s wages and save them for a special project that was close to his heart. Eventually, he was able to buy a second hand sewing machine, his first.

That was the beginning of his topsy-turvy trip from his meagre existence as a menial worker to a boutique owner. Madongorere who resides in Tsabong said in an interview that he was forced to fend for himself at an early age as life was tough when growing up.

It was then that he decided to look for piece jobs and saved the proceeds to later purchase a sewing machine. “I then started a small sewing business. Initially I repaired worn out clothing and did a lot of patch work,” he said. He was able to impress his customers who referred more people to him, and his reputation grew until he started receiving orders for designs.

Madongere maintained his cool and did not lose focus when the money started flowing in, never forgetting his humble beginnings and upholding his long held tradition of saving. At first he was operating from home, and still using the second hand machine that he bought with his piece job wages.

He was eventually forced to expand his business to accommodate the ever increasing demands of his clients. It was then that he opened CT The Perfect Boutique in 2005.

“I gave all my customers undivided attention and made them feel special. Because of my impeccable service, many of them returned to seek more of my services and referred me to their friends,” he said. As his business was growing, Madongorere’s passion for fashion design also grew.

Always willing to learn, he approached local fashion designers for assistance, training and mentoring. Within a month he had learnt the basics and was raring to go. To date CT the Perfect Boutique is a thriving business that designs top quality clothing, school uniforms, wedding garments, traditional attire, sofa covers, cushions, curtains, chair covers and many more.

“We have also ventured into interior design and event management,” said Madongorere.

The boutique has secured a lucrative market from individual customers, local choirs and government schools. He revealed that he especially makes a killing during wedding ceremonies, choir competitions and school openings as such customers usually place bulk orders.

Despite all the pressures of running a successful business, Madongorere has over the years maintained his long cherished tradition of humility, customer focus and respect. Asked what his recipe for success is, Madongerere said he believes in hard work, patience and commitment.

“You need to be passionate about what you do. Be patient and don’t expect immediate returns. It takes a bit longer to make it, and commitment will ensure that you don’t lose steam even when the going is tough,” he said.

He also urged fellow entrepreneurs to respect their customers and always meet deadlines, adding that they must build trust with their customers. As an incentive,  Madongorere offers customers who buy in bulk special discounts and has credit arrangements with a selected few. Just like any other business, Madongorere’s business has its fair share of challenges; chief among them is lack of transport for raw materials from Gaborone to Tsabong.

The population of Kgalagadi south is small, such that CT the Perfect Boutique caters for a smaller market when compared to similar enterprises in urban areas.

He said he has also had to deal with defaulting customers who fail to pay their debts, thereby reducing the company’s capacity to purchase raw materials and cover operational costs. CT the Perfect Boutique also faces stiff competition from established and bigger boutiques as well as more skilful fashion designers.

As a back-up, Madongorere advised fellow small business owners to have an ear and an eye for new business opportunities. He advised the youth to be more innovative in their businesses and desist from the conventional way of doing things so that they stay above the competition. “Identify a niche in the market and present it in a unique, never-seen-before format.

That’s what I did when I started, and my efforts have paid dividends,” he said. He also advised start-up entrepreneurs to avoid falling into the debt trap, warning that a business whose foundation was laid on debts usually finds it hard to survive. As a service to the community within which it operates, CT the Perfect Boutique also offers classes in fashion design, conducted by Madongorere himself. ENDS