Thobile ka Njinji Ntuli

What does your company do?

We customise mostly sneakers with our beautiful rich cultures patterns mostly Ndebele patterns. We also customise denim jackets, handbags etc We get clients online or via social media, they have an option to bring their own sneakers or buy an already painted pair that we deliver nationwide. We only work per order which makes us to not keep stock but paint exactly what the client wants as a design. We customise mostly sneakers with our beautiful rich cultures patterns mostly Ndebele patterns. We also customise denim jackets, handbags etc We get clients online or via social media, they have an option to bring their own sneakers or buy an already painted pair that we deliver nationwide. We only work per order which makes us to not keep stock but paint exactly what the client wants as a design.

What is your biggest success?

*Being part of the artists whom were chosen to customise Bloc footware for netball world cup in 2023 *Collaboration wit Extreme energy for the Bula sekele season 2 competition in 2022. *Collaboration with Mi Casa and Converse for the competition NEXT LEVEL GIVEAWAY they had in 2021. *Having my work being owned by prominent names in the entertainment industry such as actress and director Tisha Smith known for her role as Angela in Tyler Perrys movie HOW DID I GET MARRIED, Celeste Ntuli,Luzuko Nkqeto, Sjava to name the few. Also working with wardrobe HODs and my work has been on these shows THE WIFE, QUEENDOM, THE ESTATE to mention the few.

What has been your biggest hurdle?

My base of the business was in Johannesburg - Maboneng in Jeppestown but due to my mothers passing last year July i had to relocate back to KZN and take care of the family so the business is suffering in terms of getting clients since the business was mostly sustained by walk-in clients whom were bringing their own sneakers and now that im far away in a city which is not as busy and fast as Johannesburg convincing clients to courier proves to be difficult. I haven't lost hope yet and the aim is keep coming up with better ideas to pull the business up again.