How a Nigerian Started an African Shoe Company with $100 in Lagos!

How a Nigerian started an African Shoe Company with $100 in Lagos is another subset of my promoting African Entrepreneur series called "Small Business Stories" where I feature black owned companies all across Africa who have built successful businesses and they tell us how they did it.
Over the past couple months I have shared stories of different African entrepreneurs who have been able to build big successful businesses despite the numerous challenges on our continent.
I believe small business are also as important to our economy which is why over the next 3 weeks I will be featuring 6 small businesses on this new series on my channel called “Small Business Stories”.
Today's episode is Tunde Owolabi who is a Nigerian entrepreneur who is currently on a journey of owning a large market share in the Lifestyle & Fashion industry by making African Focused Products. He tells us about how he was able to build his business in Lagos Nigeria while taking us through some of the challenges he has faced on his entrepreneurial journey.
He also shows us how he has been able to leverage the internet to grow his business. I hope you guys will enjoy this one because I’m pretty excited to share these stories with you. Do Watch like and Enjoy.
Follow Me:
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Facebook at / tayoainafilms
Twitter at / tayoainafilms
Support me on Patreon: bit.ly/patreontayo
Support me on Paypal: www.paypal.me/tayoainafilms
Ethnik Africa: / ethnik.afrika
Phone No/WhatsApp: [phone]
Website: www.ethnik.com.ng/
Would you like your listing or story to be featured on this channel? Get in touch with me: [e-mail]

[@IamAfrikan]

Tayo, please don’t underestimate the work you are doing. This series of small businesses has really been useful, eye opening and motivating. There are a lot to learn from this story but what resonates with me is what he said about learning through google and KZbin. It just shows that we grossly underestimate the free educational materials we are blessed with in this time in the world. Many people focus too much on negative things happening in the world and ignore a lot of positives. This man is very talented and highly creative. Just look at the creativity on show in his showroom. I love art and appreciate when I see work of art. Kudos to you both.

[@logueg]

Agree 100%.

[@TayoAinaFilms]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Appreciate you always!

[@sose9601]

TayoAinaFilms to the 🌎

[@salamabdul5739]

Just the video i needed to watch this morning because i'm a shoemaker and facing alot of challenges at the moment... Thanks for the motivation and inspiration video.

[@1XclusiveFBA]

@@salamabdul5739 You're closer to jackpot than you can imagine. 🙏🏿

[@harrydunkwu7655]

I've been patronizing Ethnik. Their shoes are fantastic!

[@karendelgado203]

Agree! I LOVE his work! Every time I wear one of my “Walk Abouts”…. Complete strangers comment on them! Quality!!

[@theharryexperience_]

This is how to create a wake up call for people whom have great dreams and yet are waiting for capital while time flies.

[@deaafn814]

Small and Medium Enterprises are the bedrock of any economy, folk with small companies like these providing artisans with work, buying fabric from Aso-oke makers thereby oiling the fabric industry; all these actions build economy. God bless all those doing legitimate work in Nigeria. I pray things get better.

[@livingfinance]

Well said!

[@gerried1218]

We need to start patronizing our own products. The material on those shoes and bags are durable but as Africa with messed up minds and inferiority complex, we will all run to buy Louis Vuitton, Versace etc and instead make those businesses to continue flourishing while ours are perishing

[@truthmatterbyoladada1462]

True talks

[@listenup2882]

No, we won't. We will support it once the quality is good.

[@truethots3088]

You know the irony most of the top designers get thier leather from us. One of the top grade leather comes from Northern Nigeria and is called Moroccan leather . It's called morocan leather cos the morrcans were the middle men that buy from Northern Nigeria and sell to them in Europe The Luis vitton and Co buy our raw materials and send products back to us at cut throat price. Shame really ! Yet we can't appreciate local made

[@tlhogokop507]

Yeah Mr Aina you are truly an inspiration a confidence of one man enlighten the other thank you for showing Africa to the world. All the way from South Africa.

[@olalereqi545]

SURE. The biggest obstacle to Africa's progress is the mind. It has been poisoned through the media and schools. I stan when I see an African who knows their stuff and not the pity party the media does

[@ibrahimabdullahi2006]

M going to push 4 my dreams as an entrepreneur.ur videos inspire me alot.

[@TayoAinaFilms]

Thanks for watching. Appreciate you!

[@florence9937]

I know this brand “Ethnik” , they have a lot of good quality products and he’s really creative.

[@user-wr5td6jh5r]

Thanks for your comment, will introduce you to something totally different and quite profitable W=H=A=T=S=A=P=P.+}[6][0][11][1][2][8][7][7][6][5][9]. ..........

[@alanaweaver8942]

Nigeria has the best leather and leather artisan and leather masters.

[@tombimashri8149]

Really interesting never knew that. X

[@sunnya4310]

Correct! Gucci and Louis Vuitton source their leather from Nigeria.

[@olalereqi545]

What I learned from this interview. Nigerian government needs to revive the TEXTILE INDUSTRY. It's so sad seeing these guys who only see oil oil oil but can't think

[@christaclemons1455]

Tayo has the best personality for interviewing people. He’s very engaging 🎯

[@logueg]

Another great film featuring African made products. Hope y'all ship to the US.

[@Nikkinoonie]

I know right ‼️‼️

[@Nikkinoonie]

Great Pieces ‼️‼️Awesome

[@omotoshobusayomi7738]

I have a laptop bag from Ethnik and I love it! Very durable and quite sturdy! Would love to buy more.

[@delightministers3372]

The way to grow us to support our own🇨🇮

[@tombimashri8149]

Co mon folks, lets get Tayo likes nd subs, nhextruly deserves more dubs than he has. His an honest geniune guy, works well with everyone, no malice, jealousy etc nd his vliggs arexso interesting. Go Tayo always wish you the Best.

[@TayoAinaFilms]

Thank you 🙏🏾

[@GrowwithNaomie]

We need to spend our money in our communities. We need to realize that we are the solution to our problems.

[@easyquickhowto4095]

Please let's buy Nigerian. So much good stuff.

[@penarahim8285]

This what we have been saying. Stop waiting for Govt job, be creative. I always tell people I can NEVER be poor, they say I am boasting. No! There are so many things you can do legitimately in Nigeria and live comfortably. Kudos to Ethnik. Kudos to Tayo, keep grinding, you the future of Nigeria.

[@wahabodusola6484]

Cheers for this!!

[@colorfunch]

Spot on!

[@kuestudio882]

Tayo, you're literally giving people and dreamers hope with these videos....thank you. You're a blessing. Don't stop this show please.

[@TayoAinaFilms]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Appreciated!

[@temiladealamudun5063]

TRUE

[@taharka3897]

if he brings his products here in America he would make millions in no time

[@karendelgado203]

I buy from America. Packages have arrived more quickly than some US based companies!!

[@gorgeousonejoy3163]

Share the video with friends. I'm certain, he can DHL or FEDEX.

[@karendelgado203]

He certainly can deliver to America. My packages have come quickly via DHL!

[@ChichiEfe]

These stories are totally revolutionizing the way we think and what indeed is possible and not possible in Nigeria. I have one more thing to say...Carry go! This is awesome and instilling hopes in the hearts of many!

[@bolaogunbayode6143]

He is very artistic. I love the artistic feel of his shoes and stores.

[@RuthlessTragedy]

Thank you tayo for continuing to show the entrepreneurial sprit of the African people! Best of luck to all my African friends from a Canadian Latino.

[@adeolajackofallTrade]

Oh Lord I'm in Love Already... I'm buying Buying and Buying Buying...

[@MsManukahoney]

I most definitely want one. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU. WELL DONE. PROUDLY NIGERIAN.

[@MenaEsy]

This video will definitely be worth the watch✌

[@TayoAinaFilms]

😬😬😬😬

[@1XclusiveFBA]

I love how Tayo allows his guest to speak and go on and on without interrupting them even when he can already guess what they're about to say

[@EstherAivinhenyi]

An inspirational Entrepreneur with sharp ethical mindset for zero waste practice, welldone arise and let your light shine 😊😊😊✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾

[@chrisbwantmykiss]

I really appreciate what you are doing for Nigeria and showing the country in a positive light i understand people wanting to leave but i hate to see people leave. Nigeria is a wonderful country I would love to see you work with people that are on a mission project to make Nigeria a greater country. We the people must do for ourselves and take matters in our own hands even if its just baby steps africa is our home i believe in Nigeria❤

[@funmilayoogidan8870]

Ethnik is a very unique brand, this particular content makes me loves the brand more. Making his own design & researching 👏👏👏👏👏. Tayo is the bombbb🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈. This is a very inspiring content. His story is beautiful

[@user-wr5td6jh5r]

Thanks for your comment, will introduce you to something totally different and quite profitable W=H=A=T=S=A=P=P.+}[6][0][11][1][2][8][7][7][6][5][9]. ...........

[@afolabidosu-ekunnrin9074]

I also make footwears I most say ... Ethnik footwear are really artistic 👌... Fantastic job Mr T 👏👍

[@mbaluwilliams5906]

Hope to see u one day on Sierra leone

[@beekaygold9203]

One big challenge is convincing Nigerians to buy made in Nigeria products. All the piece are so beautiful. Before I forget Tayo was extremely sweating lol

[@africaine4889]

One nigerian in the comment was saying he was to expensive and that he coukd get shoes in nigeria for 10 to 30 dollars. Lol people just do not realise its all done by hand

[@olalereqi545]

I also don't think these are SMALL BUSINESS STORIES. Theoretically, they can be SMEs but we really need to encourage them as you said at the end of the video. Na small company today be big company tomorrow. Why I am against the labelling is because of how Nigeria is. These guys are genuine businesses that are transparent enough to show us their pains and gains. We don't have enough legitimate stories to follow so please let's support these guys who are an inspiration in a society where people don't want to follow the process!

[@tgbayesola]

Honestly, Big ups to everyone that made this video come to live. As youths, we need to all come together and make things that are meant to be of priority a priority.

[@immaokoli2951]

If you still there waiting, will happen & the year will roll by.

[@AbimbolaAkin]

@Emma Okoli na so...

[@yourikhi]

Well done brothers...all the stuff that we use everyday ,we should try to make I. Our own countries...love from India

[@accradogshow2902]

It is good you are focusing on Small Medium Enterprises... those are the real inspirations for upcoming youths. This is what we focus on in Ghana.

[@delightministers3372]

Watching all the way from Ivory coast 🇨🇮🇨🇮 so inspiring, awesome content,we love tayo

[@granddaddychillicheez7394]

Another good episode for Nigerians everywhere to watch and be inspired...

[@that1niggirl150]

This is absolutely inspirational, I have a lot of hope for Nigeria 🇳🇬

[@karendelgado203]

I haven’t watched it yet…but so very excited to see that this episode is about who I had hoped it would be! I LOVE his products, his customer service, and the story he tells. (I can’t wait to watch this version!). I loved my Walk About shoes so much, I bought 2 more pair!

[@user-wr5td6jh5r]

Thanks for your comment, will introduce you to something totally different and quite profitable W=H=A=T=S=A=P=P.+}[6][0][11][1][2][8][7][7][6][5][9]. ...........

[@KpomoBespoke]

Tunde is traveling the same path i am currently on. More power to him.

[@PjSaidsLifestyleChannel]

Ethnik shoes are fashionable, stunning and comfortable! My next purchase is going to be a bag! We'll done Tayo for this showcase 🥰

[@missceebrownin]

I hope you continue this series Tayo! Love it.. You could do some developing startups and tech companies, shed light on their stories, I'm in the UK & love these business vids, I learn so much 💯👏🏾👊🏾

[@abdiali4281]

Thanks bro you have showed me the way to progress thank you very much again

[@TayoAinaFilms]

Thanks for watching!

[@nandorblue]

this dude is as serious as it gets.

[@tundeowolabistudios]

Thank you.

[@kingblacktv8858]

Tayo your Afrocentric mindset is mind-blowing. 🤩🤩❤️

[@joydavid5428]

This is great talent💪💪💪more grace brother👍👍👍👍thanks for sharing TAYO👏👏

[@oluchiosakwe]

Yay another video. Can I just say I love the Nigerian/ African inspired products

[@peacekangye6205]

Tayo keep it going. Love UGANDA 🇺🇬🇺🇬🇺🇬

[@doreenonekalit9888]

I just love this series

[@Valuepacked]

Amazing. There are alot of things about Nigeria that is just inspiring

[@Winis_World]

This is a very inspiring story! Love this!

[@truethots3088]

The irony is most of the top designers get thier leather from us. One of the top grade leather comes from Northern Nigeria and is called Moroccan leather . It's called morocan leather cos the morocans were the middle men that buy from Northern Nigeria and sell to them in Europe The Louis vitton and Co buy our raw materials and send products back to us at cut throat price. Shame really ! Yet we can't appreciate local made, hopefully we will get over our inferiority complex and start putting ourselves on the pedestal. We just have to work on quality control

[@adegirly]

true!

[@motherswhoempowerothermoth3272]

Love your videos 🎥. Keep it up. 👀💯🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@TayoAinaFilms]

Thank you!

[@motherswhoempowerothermoth3272]

@@TayoAinaFilms Your welcome.

[@phrancisco2847]

Very innovative, creative and different. Nice one, Ayo! I'd like to own a pair of those lovely trainers.

[@user-wr5td6jh5r]

Thanks for your comment, will introduce you to something totally different and quite profitable W=H=A=T=S=A=P=P.+}[6][0][11][1][2][8][7][7][6][5][9]. ...........

[@tundeowolabistudios]

Thank you, You can check our website, www.Ethnik.com.ng or Instagram @ethnik.afrika

[@AlsworthTV]

I’m loving these small business stories Tayo! Keep it up!

[@user-wr5td6jh5r]

Thanks for your comment, will introduce you to something totally different and quite profitable W=H=A=T=S=A=P=P.+}[6][0][11][1][2][8][7][7][6][5][9]. ..........

[@no.reply_]

Businesses like this are what will move countries forward, keep up the good work

[@Zero-hl2zy]

Love this episode more power to him. I wish him all the best 👍🙏❤🇬🇭

[@AyeshaTheGreat]

Another great episode! Keep raising the bar because this series is so important! Also, those shoes are fire!

[@isaachp9673]

GOOD JOB,, I HAVE ALWAYS KNEW THAT GREAT THINGS COULD BE DONE WITH ASHOKE, BECAUSE IS A BEAUTIFUL AND VERYSTRONG FABRIC

[@declan-kayodekeegan1598]

We have always been industrious, creating our own products from our own raw materials, for example our ancestors who invented aso òkè used to make their own yarn with which they wove the textiles, made our own dye we used for adire, cured our own leather we used to make shoes and bags all before industrialisation.... We need to think about developing these things...

[@tundeowolabistudios]

We definitely should.

[@livingfinance]

Tayo Aina I gave you a hard time when you were filming videos on mansions in Nigeria. Not to be negative because I felt there was so much better content you could make. I have to credit you, to have the humility to pivot your content to showcase what your viewers want to see and also to inspire people on the numerous opportunities the continent has to offer. You have my continued support!!

[@NIO623]

Yep....so sick of the mansions. I love seeing African creating business and helping/ lifting up the communities. I love this small business series.

[@joypoet3298]

This is soooo cool!!! Looking forward to my first pair👊🏽 Another awesome episode Tayo👊🏽

[@Tomboshoes]

Absolutely love this. It's all about the mindset and Tunde is a shining example of how to go about making moves that make a difference. Thank you for sharing Tayo.

[@vivianuwakwestudio]

Tayo I'm sooooooo, as in SOOOOOOOO loving your Small Business Stories series. It adds so much vitamin to my entrepreneurial blood. I've reserved my permanent VIP seat here. Keep going! Kudos!

[@Beacons-of-Light-JustBeIT]

This is beyond Amazing! Afrika, the Now and Future

[@atuhbethel2944]

Brother thank you for always giving us the reminder that hard work and and persistency in this world can still make a light, its almost out of today's picture but thanks to your channel and those mentors

[@legendarycreationszambia3030]

Am on this page almost everyday because am an entrepreneur that believes I am going to make it big time soon 😍. Thank u for all the inspiring stories

[@isiomaamma9869]

This so wonderful to see, i can see he has a good quality brand , kudos to him 🥇🥇🥇🥇💖

[@hugoryollo]

Very inspiring for someone like me currently learning shoe making and about starting a brand. Thank you for sharing this story.

[@tundeowolabistudios]

Go for it, just start and make it work. All the best with all you do.

[@hugoryollo]

@@tundeowolabistudios thank you very much

[@Seleste777]

Everyone you have featured in this series are amazing!!

[@missyjay3679]

Greetings Tayo, the brethren is 100% on point about utilizing KZbin to learn skills to further ones ambition is how anyone can establish a business.

[@karendelgado203]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽. So excited to see this! I am a repeat customer… wearable art! Great customer service! Quality products. Beautiful products.

[@oluchiosakwe]

This is an amazing video. I really appreciate these small businesses

[@manna4life-647]

The mens pointy toe half shoe (mule) is so stylish .... a few bling stones on the front strap would be stunning. Very inspirational designs .... flooding my head with ideas. If I was there, I would bring my purple wedding asoke to be repurposed into a low heel pair of mules with matching handbag. It has been sitting in storage for 16 years doing no one any favors.

[@alinethani2236]

Loved this, thanks for the upload 😊

[@adamasartislife2943]

Thank you so much! This is soo inspiring!!!

[@aguorgarangakuei3196]

This is amazing, I'm always happy when I see Africa rising. from South Sudan 🇸🇸, This is the guy you met at KNUST- Ghana...Tayoo take Africa 💪

[@iduolisa2715]

Very insightful. The guy is speaking my language.

[@colorfunch]

Wow! I am so inspired, this guy is so talented! I really like these products. Thank you Tayo.

[@menaseven9093]

Nice story of Tunde Owolabi a businessman and fashion designer of shoes and bags.

[@elizabetholadeinde3007]

Love your video always. Top notch content. Love from New Zealand

[@user-gy2lg6ob5e]

Great content love from the UK🙌🏾

[@roderickmitchell2125]

My lovely brothers are so creative. Love you all so very much. Can't wait to get back home. ❤🌍👑

[@bwso2020]

I love the transparency of this entrepreneur. Great work @Taya Aina

[@davetv4705]

Keep up the good works, Tayo!

[@yucao2859]

can't wait to visit the shop!

[@owene]

Awesome products ! ! Omo Yòrúbá ! ! 👌🏾👍🏾✌🏾👉🏾👊🏾💪🏾🔥🔥

[@Thatwestcoastdude]

Excelente video we love this work , he is amazing he has us feeling inspired .

[@jzk2020]

Well done to him. Please keep uploading inspiring videos that can show people you don't need much capital, just the desire to learn and youtube and google.

[@sonofra9752]

Awesome stuff! I'm definitely checking this one out.

[@karendelgado203]

You won’t be disappointed!!!

[@nyuyseemmanuel7535]

Sir Tayo you’re a great person thank you for these great videos,they tend to inspire young aspiring entrepreneurs like myself 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@ParlourPitch]

Really inspiring story!

[@alexandranwa]

Well done Tayo!

[@victoronwe906]

Africans are really creative. Nice job Aina. Am looking forward for you to help push mine to the world soon.

[@akolawoleomoba3532]

Tayo please keep the positive vibes going.

[@princeaghamiogie7154]

Amazing. Keep on keeping on.

[@ifdanieldid]

Thanks for sharing these stories, Tayo. Will definitely check them out on my Lagos trip next month!

[@user-wr5td6jh5r]

Thanks for your comment, will introduce you to something totally different and quite profitable W=H=A=T=S=A=P=P.+}[6][0][11][1][2][8][7][7][6][5][9]. ..........

[@GlobalUju]

This is so amazing 👏