About three weeks ago, we told the story of three entrepreneurs including two sisters, Kimberly and Priscilla, who are breaking new grounds in the area of local chocolate manufacturing.

In this edition, we cast the lens on another young female entrepreneur, Ms Edna Frimpong, who has resolved to build “a sustainable business and create jobs” by producing durable and affordable footwear.

Local footwear manufacturing has long been dominated by men but she is challenging the status quo with the footwear brand, “Fash­­_{­_}Slippers,” which has attracted a lot of clients in the past two years at Mataheko in Accra.

The self-taught shoemaker recently spoke to The Spectator about operations and prospects of the company which makes handcrafted leather slippers and sandals for both male and female.

Background

Edna attended Maamobi ‘1’ Junior High School in Accra before gaining admission to Adonten Senior High School at Aburi in the Eastern Region where she studied General Arts.

Currently, she is pursuing degree in Public Relations at Ghana Institute of Journalism, but said she acquired the skill from her father who has been a professional shoemaker for the past 20 years.

Being the first of three siblings, she lived with her father since childhood and used to help him at the workshop after school and eventually started doing what the father does.

After completing high school, she worked with Sub Saharan Education Project (SSEP) a non-governmental organisation, as a Project Coordinator for eight years but the organisation could not survive due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In order not to be idle, she decided to establish the Fash_Slippers brand and take the shoe making craft a notch higher by making her works visible on social media platforms.

She said the idea was to ‘modify’ her father’s business and possibly take over from him in future, adding that the business has taught her to “manage time and pay attention to details.”

Brand

‘The Shoemaker Girl’(a nickname she has adopted) said the emerging footwear brand has for the past two years received good patronage and remains committed to “crafting comfortable and stylish” footwear for clients.

Aiming to venture into other types of leather products in future, the company currently sells its range of footwear at GH¢ 100.00 minimum.

According to her, there has not been ‘discrimination’ on the job and that people rather patronise the footwear because they are “made by a woman.”  

“Our footwear are made in Ghana from quality leather, they are well-crafted, affordable and meet the needs of all classes of people. The business has a beautiful future and we want to become one of the biggest footwear brands,” she noted.

The Founder and Creative Director admitted that the shoe making business has been profitable as it has enabled her to fund her tertiary education. For this reason, she hopes to continue making footwear even after obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree.

“I hope to get more money to re-invest and acquire the necessary skill through my education and apply it to my business,” she added.

Challenges

Flash_Slippers currently employs a few hands as and when demand for the footwear increases and intends training individuals who want to develop a skill in footwear making.

Apart from inadequate funds and equipment, Edna admits that sales revenue could be quite unstable especially when there is no ready market for the footwear.

She believes local businesses should be given the needed support to operate in more conducive environment in order to be successful.

“Price of raw material keeps increasing every day and this is a challenge. And if there are enough machines, it can speed up the production process and reduce human labour,” she says.

Advice

While expressing appreciation to individuals who have contributed to the growth of her business, she advises young girls to develop their skills in addition to the knowledge they acquire in school.

“When you take a decision commit it to the hands of God, do your part and He will do the rest. Never be ashamed of your hustle, no one will feed you if you are broke, be dirty to get your food instead of being clean and hungry,” she posted recently.

By Ernest Nutsugah