Startup Story
Who doesn’t love a beautifully crafted leather handbag or a stylish, eye-catching pair of leather shoes? In South Africa, entrepreneur Hloki Raphuting, founder of PalmH, is manufacturing high quality bags and shoes, all made from the finest leather, and for customers who want to look and feel good.
LoA chatted to the passion-driven Hloki Raphuting this month to find out more…
What inspired you to start your company?
The business came about through a personal experience I had. PalmH was established in 2016 when I was struggling to find visually appealing and comfortable shoes for women with a wider calf /foot which is particularly common in the South African market. After realizing this and wanting to provide a solution, I then went on to learn the art of shoe making which also introduced me to making handbags. Through this experience, PalmH has been operational and now seeks to grow and expand into bigger markets, becoming a leading footwear manufacturer.
“PalmH was established in 2016 when I was struggling to find visually appealing and comfortable shoes for women with a wider calf /foot which is particularly common in the South African market.”
What makes your business, service or product special?
We manufacture custom-made design shoes. We want to become the preferred brand for a customer to design their own shoe by choosing from our different colours and materials, focusing on comfort and the perfect comfortable fit.
Tell us a little about your team
I currently outsource production, however we plan on employing artisans.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
Looking back on my entrepreneurial journey it was a series of things that compelled me to start my own business. I sought to combine my passion and the ability I have to solve problems, especially within my community, as a formula upon which I would start my business. I don’t formally come from the business sector. My work
experience comes from the Human Resources sector through which I gained invaluable insights and learnings which I can implement on my business journey. I worked in corporate HR as a Recruitment Consultant for 12 years.
“We manufacture custom-made design shoes. We want to become the preferred brand for a customer to design their own shoe by choosing from our different colours and materials, focusing on comfort and the perfect comfortable fit.”
“I want to build a brand that can compete in local and international markets that will bring much needed solutions within the footwear industry at large.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
My plan is to bring my vision to life through commitment, productivity and passion. My business plan is to establish a footwear manufacturing factory in South Africa. I want to be the leading manufacturer in providing innovative, quality, stylish footwear for different brands. I want to build a brand that can compete in local and international markets that will bring much needed solutions within the footwear industry at large. I want to create products that don't exist within the current market. These products will be classic, fun, beautiful and a breath of fresh air within the market.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Creating solutions and the opportunity to bring my vision to reality
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Just start. Just do it now. Don’t procrastinate. Many times as entrepreneurs, we wait for the perfect product at the perfect time, but that comes with applying yourself and getting started. Start where you are, with what you have, and do not be afraid to ask for help.
Contact or follow PalmH
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL hloki@palmh.co.za
Why LoA loves it….
South Africa needs more manufacturers of quality products that the continent and the world wants to buy, and which create much needed jobs for local people. Hloki Raphuting is one such manufacturer, turning her passion for manufacturing custom-made shoes and handbags into a business that has big aspirations for the future. At a time when the country needs to expand its manufacturing sector, niche businesses like Hloki’s are ones to support so they can be the larger, sustainable, job creators of the future. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa