Startup Story
South Africa needs jobs, and it also needs to rebuild a strong clothing manufacturing industry sector, and that’s where entrepreneur Xoliswa Hlongwane is making her contribution to the economy through her XO Collection (Pty) Ltd.
LoA chatted to Xoliswa Hlongwane this month to find out more.
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Xoliswa Hlongwane and I am the Owner and Managing Director of XO Collection (Pty) Ltd, a design and manufacturing house in Durban, South Africa. I am a qualified Chartered Accountant by profession who has activated her entrepreneurial element in order to create jobs and contribute to developing the local economy. I am a seasoned professional with over 15 years business experience, and I was a finalist in the 2018 top 35 under 35 CAs in South Africa and a category winner in the 2017 KZN regional business women achiever's awards for the Women in Government category. My business is built on the premise of "lifting as we rise" as evidenced by the social initiatives undertaken in my personal capacity as well as by the company.
What does your company do?
XO Collection (Pty) Ltd is a design and manufacturing house specializing in fashion (Direct wardrobe service and ready-to-wear), corporate wear, school wear and homeware. We offer businesses and individuals the opportunity and ability to be unique whilst remain true to who they are. We offer tailored solutions that enable customers to design their own garments and participate in the process all the way to dispatch. We source or manufacture all garments and accessories to meet our customer needs. We also assist our customers leverage on the strength of their corporate brand and identity by designing their own custom print that can be used in the manufacture of their garments. We have a strong team made up of highly experienced individuals and energetic and vibrant young people.
“We are a truly South Africa company that is making headway in such a difficult industry. Our employees go an extra mile in every job to satisfy our customers.”
What inspired you to start your company?
The company started as a fashion design and manufacturing company targeted and female professionals. The idea was to offer these women with high quality and unique garments effortlessly given their busy lifestyles and the need to remain beautiful and confident in the boardroom. Having been introduced to the industry and educated on the challenges the industry faces including historic job losses and stagnation due to competition from cheaper imports, I became drawn in as to the model I can apply in my business to counter these challenges and create a resilient company that will create sustainable jobs and make a meaningful contribution to the development of the local economy. As Chartered Accountants we are equipped for such challenges and it was natural for me to want to do more for the industry with such a high potential to reduce unemployment in our country.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Our service is tailored for each of our customers' needs. No two customers are the same to us and we take extra caution to make our customers feel as though they are the only ones. We take extra caution when manufacturing our garments to ensure the highest possible quality. We are a truly South Africa company that is making headway in such a difficult industry. Our employees go an extra mile in every job to satisfy our customers. We always go out of our way to source anything that will complete our deliverable to the client, even if it is not part of our normal offerings. We are a growing company that is learning and adapting every day. That is what makes us special.
“We offer businesses and individuals the opportunity and ability to be unique whilst remain true to who they are. We offer tailored solutions that enable customers to design their own garments and participate in the process all the way to dispatch.”
Tell us a little about your team
As a design and manufacturing house we have a very diverse team. From the owner who is an accountant to the creatives that specialize in design, pattern making and fabric sourcing, to industrial workers who are the best machinists and production support staff in town, we have it all. We have a well-rounded team that is well positioned to craft a solution from conceptualization to delivery. once you enter our offices, you will not need to go anywhere else, as you will experience a one stop shop for all your fashion, corporate wear, school wear and homeware needs. That is made possible by the competence, professionalism and kindness of our workforce.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
In 2018 when we opened our doors, I was working full time and ran the business on a part time basis. It is only in the beginning of 2020 that I saw it necessary to take the driving seat and take the company to greater heights. Within the first half of the calendar year in the midst of a world pandemic, I managed to double the previous two years' annual revenues. That revealed to me that when you birth an idea, you have to nurture it to its realization. What I have learnt about my business this year alone, would have taken me years on a part time basis. My staff members are more motivated, the direction is clear and we are moving in unison. That being said, it hasn't been easy leaving the cushion of employment for entrepreneurship. It is a constant cashflow balancing act. I had never taken myself as an entrepreneur prior to me starting this business. I guess you just have to find the right challenge.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
Our medium to long term plans include opening our uniform concept stores as well as growing our capacity to manufacture internally all our products once we have created sustainable demand.
“Our medium to long term plans include opening our uniform concept stores as well as growing our capacity to manufacture internally all our products once we have created sustainable demand.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Building your own business is like moulding your own clay and watching it take shape. What gives me satisfaction is seeing that clay taking shape and getting comfort that I can see where I am going, although there is still a lot of work to be done.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Just do it. Do not overthink it or over plan it. Just put the necessary building blocks in place and if you can, save some money to take care of you whilst you give your all to your business.
Contact or follow XO Collection
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL xoliswa@xocollection.co.za
Why LoA loves it….
For many women entrepreneurs in South Africa, the inspiration and motivation to start a business often comes from seeing a need or a gap in the marketplace that needs a solution. For Xoliswa Hlongwane, that need came from a struggling clothing manufacturing industry sector, in need of new local businesses and job creation that could boost local economies. She is now making her own impact driven contribution through her business, XO Collection, making a difference and changing lives through job creation as she builds her manufacturing capacity. South Africa needs more like her in this sector. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa