UKZN alumnus sets up innovative shoe-care business

Twenty-two-year-old Ntokozo "Meloh" Ntleko is running Takkiewash SA, a shoe-care business in Musgrave, Durban. The business caters to anyone who wants to put their best foot forward; whether you are wearing Converses or stilettos, this dynamic, young businessperson and UKZN alumnus has a shoe-care solution for you!

Her entrepreneurial journey started when she was just 14 years old, selling chocolate and sherbets and then hot dogs at Pinetown Girls' High, where she matriculated in 2013. The school offered students trading licences each term as a way to encourage entrepreneurship.

Currently reading for her MA in Cultural Studies at UKZN's Centre for Communications, Media and Society (CCMS), Ntleko credits her parents (both UKZN alumni) for raising her with the understanding that "everything is earned".

"I've always believed in multiple streams of income and the idea of starting small," she said. The business originally included carpet cleaning and laundry, but Ntleko soon realised there was a high demand for shoe-cleaning services, and so, Takkiewash SA was born.

"Takkiewash SA does everything from shoe washing, polishing and treatment of high heels and special leather boots and formal shoes at different prices. We are famous for our meticulous colour-matching skills when it comes to refurbishing, which is essentially colour renewal on old or faded shoes."

The business offers delivery and collection to those who do not have time to physically drop off or collect their shoes. "Additionally to that, I came up with the concept of a shoe drop-box outside my office for times when I am attending lectures on campus or when customers come after business hours. The shoe drop-box is safe and secure, and allows customers to write their details down and slip it into the shoe and drop inside the box," she said.

She has capitalised on local gyms, placing the drop-box concepts at gyms in the area "for people's convenience and to create more business for myself".

Setting up a business is not without challenges. "The services offered by my business are different from what people are used to, so I'm having to not only convince people that I can do the job well, but I also have to convince them that their shoes are safe with me".

She offered this advice to would-be entrepreneurs: "It is far more rewarding to start something of your own rather than working for someone else; it takes far more sacrifices and commitment, but in the end, it is all worth it.

"Secondly, investment begins with you; do not expect another person to invest in your dreams when you can't invest in them first, even if it means you work extra hours to make the kind of money that you need to get your business off the ground, just do it!"

Her long-term plans are to franchise the business on a global scale. "I am documenting new hacks, challenges, tips and everything that I learn as I go along so that I can use that as a guide for future franchisees."

Ntleko plans to move into a bigger business space that can accommodate over 100 pairs of shoes per day.

"I believe it is possible to be an entrepreneur and an academic and still thrive at both. My biggest dream is to do a second MA degree in innovation and entrepreneurship at Warwick University in the UK, mainly because their course would allow me to do my thesis on my business. This would really allow me to know my business inside out and also create knowledge," she said.

Interested in getting your shoes in tip-top shape and want to support a UKZN student and alumnus? Visit Takkiewash SA at 202 Musgrave Road, Durban. A basic show-wash goes for R60, polishing is R30 and it's R150 for refurbishing. For more information, visit www.takkiewashsa.co.za or https://www.facebook.com/TakkieWashSouthAfrica/.