So as you all know I love to support local and started a segment where we could share, learn and inspire! It is so important to support local and share your findings with others.
During lock down, we are going to do a whole lot of these to highlight these businesses – many of which are taking HUGE strain during this time – and shed some awareness and love to all.
Today we feature Bow Toes! They make ribbon laces to make you and your shoes look trendy and unique. What an awesome idea! They come in a variety of colours and patterns, so there is definitely something for everyone. If you want a custom order – no problem, they are happy to chat and help make your vision a reality! Please support this local business.
All orders can be placed on their website! Please will you support Bow Toes and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
We chatted to the lovely #girlboss Jana, and she had this to say to us!
Tell us a little bit about your business.
When diagnosed with breast cancer at 27, I needed a form of therapy to keep me sane, so I started Bow Toes.
Being a high school teacher in South Africa is exhausting enough. Trying to teach a full school year while going through cancer treatment is nearly impossible. Having taken a month off for the operation and gone through chemotherapy treatments on Friday afternoons to recover over weekends, I was shocked to hear that I needed daily radiation sessions too. At this point I decided, during the end-of-year school exams to take some time off while getting radiation. In this time I saw ribbon shoelaces on my cousin’s shoes and loved the idea.
Trying to find them online was fruitless and when I figured out how I would make her own pair I wondered if this may be something that more people would like. I started an Instagram account and relentlessly started making stock, distracting myself from the possible depressing realities I had to deal with too. Within a month Bow Toes was at 4 festive season markets in The Cape Town area at the end of 2019 and we have had many exciting collaborations in 2020.
What are the top 3 learnings you have had to find out the hard way since starting your own business?
Not everyone thinks your business is as wonderful as you do. Your business will only be as successful as you make it. Just put your head down and do it.
Where do you see your business in 5 years? Once we have gotten over the effects of the lock down.
I truly hope to be able to employ people to make Bow Toes. I want to pay it forward after so many people supported my husband and I so wonderfully throughout last year. I’d love to have Bow Toes as local airports and well known tourist hot spots.
What is your advice to individuals out there wanting to start their own businesses but are too scared?
Tell us 2 things that are the BEST part about owning your own business and make it all worth while?
How has lock down affected you and your team?
My team includes my hands which have burned and blistered a little here and there, my husband who is the best, most reluctant happy little helper out there, and my cat, Ollie, who loves that I work with ribbons.
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