‘My experience making footwear for men’

Unemployment has been a significant social challenge in Nigeria for several years, with millions of young graduates struggling to find work.

There are a few success stories of young Nigerians who have decided to take matters into their own hands and create opportunities for themselves. One such individual is Gloria Effiong, a Mass Communication graduate from Akwa Ibom State.

Effiong’s story is an inspiration to many. Instead of waiting for job opportunities that may never come, she learned valuable skills and established her own business in the footwear industry.

In this interview with Pluboard, she shares her experience, including the challenges and advantages of managing her own business.

Kindly tell us about yourself

My name is Gloria Nyong Effiong, an indigene of Uruan Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom state. I’m 28 years old and a graduate of Mass Communication from Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic.

I am self-employed and I’m running a footwear business.

You are in the footwear business; can you share with us how you ventured into this business?

Well, sometime around 2018, I stumbled into Facebook and amongst all the posts made, a lady’s posts on footwear-making was eye-catching. Since I was a lover of arts and crafts, I was thrilled to find out more about the training.

I sent her a direct message, declaring my intention to learn the skill, unfortunately, she had already relocated from Akwa Ibom because of her marriage. Due to my persistence, she then came up with the idea of referring me to her church member who is into the same business and he happened to be my boss now. Ever since then, she has been my inspiration in the business.

How many years have you been doing the business?

The brand “Nadia’skraft” is four years now. I started the craft in 2018 and still counting.

Normally, people feel that shoemaking is for men, what motivated you to choose shoemaking as a business?

I’m not disputing that fact, the truth is, I just see myself as a different and unique person. I love art and it’s a plus for me to be able to make what men wear. There’s a popular adage that says, “what a man can do, a woman can do even better”. It really works for me because I feel satisfied adding value to the nation’s needs.

What will you say are the highpoints and challenges of this business?

I have the opportunity to relate with audiences of class and rank. I grow daily in terms of ideas and inventions. Here, I don’t sketch designs because I’m less busy, I make it part of me even in my sleep, I think of new designs and the ones that will make my customers stand out because foot wears are like makeup for the feet.

The disadvantage is the high cost of materials needed for typical production. The cost of production rises daily to the point that it could be discouraging because sometimes the amount gotten from a customer may not be enough for production.

Also, on the social side, some customers will communicate with the mind-set of demanding for footwear, and the next thing, they will divert to something else. Once this trick starts, I’ll quickly understand, and I will breach the communication. I only experience this from male customers and most of my target audience is on social media platforms.

Are there other specific needs?

The challenge I’m facing currently is the inability to acquire machines to foster production. Also, currently, I don’t have the finance to pay for a shop that will help me to showcase my products and also do training for interested youths.

You spoke about harassment by some customers. Do you want to speak some more on the feedback from your customers?

In this business, I receive positive and negative comments. The negative comments usually come from some male customers, they will say “why did you choose footwear making over hairdressing, sewing, baking and all that, “you won’t be able to produce exactly what I want”.

Positive comments come from both males and females being satisfied with the neatness of my work and seeing a lady make footwear instead of the usual.

Can you tell us how profitable the business is? Are you gaining or losing in the business?

Every business owner is prone to risks. Being able to settle both minor and major bills is enough proof of the business’s profitability. I experience gain and also embrace loss. Loss has no greater force to make me give up on my passion. Experiencing loss makes me work more toward perfection and I am sure to have a light at the end of the tunnel.

Will you advise other young people to go into the business?

My advice to the intending ones is they should find out their passion and purpose and utilize it. It must not necessarily be in footwear making, check around you, there are needs craving for satisfaction which when unravelled, makes you stand heads and shoulders above.

For those that will love to go into the footwear business, what is your advice to them?

For those that would love to venture into this business line, “passion” is the watchword. Take out profits first. I’m always happy while in the production process. Even in my tired moments, I will have to work so as to satisfy my customers. Starting from sketching designs, cutting leather and sole, filing and to the finishing stage, with my music in the background, it’s usually an amazing experience.

That you are a graduate in a particular field does not mean your riches must come from practising it. Your field and education help to harness these special abilities. Hence, when talents, skills and experiences combine with education, the result is wealth. More so, your beginning might be small but, your end will surely be great.