VAYA Footwear Founder Themba Makamo Shares How His Entrepreneurial Journey Began
VAYA Footwear Founder Themba Makamo Shares How His Entrepreneurial Journey Began. VAYA Footwear Founder Themba Makamo too to Twitter to share more on how his entrepreneurial journey began. This comes after the company opened its first retail store.
The post read,, “My entrepreneurial journey began in 2010 when I officially resigned from my job as a journalist. At the time, I believed that nothing could go wrong. I had great ideas, my savings, a car, a place to stay and a supportive partner. Two years later, I was only left with the great ideas. The following years it had been one failed idea after another. Some businesses that I started showed so much great promise that I would bet it all on them, only to end up bankrupt and to now opening a shop in a mall, while creating employment for others feel unreal. It’s been over ten years of trial and error. Some failures and mistakes I could’ve avoided but you can’t connect the dots looking forward.”
The word VAYA is a South African township slang which means “go”, “to go” or “going”. This common word can also be used as motivation to “Go get it!” which actually translates to “chase or go after your dreams.” VAYA Footwear believes that in the township sneakers tell the people’s story, and more importantly, they also reveal their ambitions and aspirations as they are a source of confidence. It is from this knowledge that the company was started, it aims to design and make sneakers that celebrate who people are and give them confidence in going after their dreams as the founder did when he had this business idea.
Starting out as an entrepreneur is never easy as there are a lot of challenges that one has to face and overcome. Entrepreneurs also have to sacrifice certain things like their jobs and hobbies to really pursue their passion of entrepreneurship to their fullest potential. This is why when they become successful, it is celebrated as they have managed to fulfill their dreams and aspirations.
