MICHELLE EKURE: A NIGERIAN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES' GRADUATE TURNS SHOE-MAKER

After submitting her CV to 65 organisations in a desperate search for job after school, Michelle Ekure, an International Studies and Diplomacy graduate at the University of Benin decided to try her hands with Shoe-making at her Lagos residence. A native of Delta state and the last child of the family of eight fought through the odds to make ends meet. Nigerian Bulletin ran into her, and she shares how she earns her income in making other people look good.



Why did you venture into Shoe-making? And how did you start?

It is a long story really.

First it was because there was no job. I was looking for job like ''crazy''. I finally got a job but it was not paying well and the employer was owing too much. You know how it is with one-man business in Nigeria if not properly managed. While I was working, there is a company that makes a lot of leather stuffs – sandals, shoes, bags, etc, that I was helping sell their sandals with their labels on it. So after I quit the job, with the frustration of having pushed so many applications with no response, I decided I was not going to look for job again.

At some point when I checked my sent emails, I realized I had sent out my Cvs for 65 job applications with no call for interview. I said to myself: Is this how am going to live my life? At that point, I had to pray and asked God for direction. And then God told me: 'Instead of helping these people sell their stuffs with their label, why don't you ask of how you can make your shoes with your own label?'' You know at times when God speaks to you, you tend to ask yourself, 'are you sure this is not my mind'?, are you sure I've not been thinking about that? So I took the bold step, and asked the company if they could do that for me. Fortunately, I got a yes from them. They produced the first set I ordered for with my own label, but it was too high for me. 

Michelle at work

Someone then introduced me to the person that taught me how to make shoes. I had some time to understudy and see how the guy makes shoes. It was so exciting to me. And that was when I thought that I can equally be good as this guy. I was drilled to an extent that could make one want to give up. But no, I was determined. I continued learning, reading, and did my research too. I looked up on how shoes were made, and resolved to be very good at what I choose to do. You know people have this strange mentality of 'Made in Nigeria' shoes. But my research made me better but I know I can do better than the way I am right now.


What's your disposition to skill learning as part of curriculum at all educational levels in Nigeria?

I think we should inculcate skill learning into the curriculum. It is needful. I always tell people that shoe-making is a personality thing. Your shoe can tell me the kind of person you are. I can tell if you are a classy person or otherwise with the kind of shoe you wear. Because your works speaks for you – it tells you the kind of mind you have. There was a time I got admission in Italy to study shoe-making. When I checked up the school, it's a big school where they teach them shoe-making. It is part of their curriculum. So, I think it should be part of the curriculum. And I also have it as part of plans to bring it someday in Nigeria, and be part of our curriculum, even in secondary schools and at the tertiary level.

Again, if you watch it, it is not everyone that has the mental capacity to sit down and read, but if there is something like this, people can easily learn something that will make them self-sufficient.

What's the highest amount you've ever received for a shoe you made?

N25, 000

How do you promote your stuffs? Who are your target audience?

At a time, I was out for only selected people. People always tell me that your shoes are expensive but if you know the worth of what you are buying, you will would say it's actually cheap because I have so much confidence in my products that when you want to buy it outside the country, you buy it twice the amount you bought it from me, and it would be the same quality. I specialize in making my work neat, using expensive and highest-quality materials in the market. I know my onions. I am good at it. For instance, I can walk up to a Bank Manager, and tell him that I make and sell shoes, because I know what I am giving you.

Later, I decided to make my shoes for everybody. Everybody can afford it, depends on the amount you have.

How many shoes can you make in a week?

And what's your price range? Hmmm, if I don't want to stress myself, I can make 10. There are times where I have to work overnight, I make more than that. And also when I have orders that I need to deliver, I overstretch myself. For the shoes, it is from N15, 000 to N30, 0000.

What do your family members and friends think of the shoe making business?

I think in my life, this is the first thing my family has ever supported. When I was in school, I used to be a model. Most of my friends and most people know me as a model, I always told them I want to be a super model. I want to take it far and wide... But you know, later on, realized that was not the will of God for me.

If not shoe-making, what would you have opted for?

(Smiles) I would have gone for working in the United Nations, Embassies, into Foreign Affairs. I like to be a diplomat. I love the course I studied. I want to represent countries. I want to negotiate on behalf of my country. I want to be a mediator between two countries and be a good negotiator. If I am not into Shoe-Making, that's what I would do.

Can you marry a Shoe maker as a husband?

Hmm, No. I like to be out there. And I like my husband not to really be at the spotlight. Let me be the public figure, and let him be the man behind my great success and very proud of me.

Challenges in running the business?

The equipment, and then import-export rates are very much on us right now. So that's made the price of things high, and choking. So, it is now difficult for us to convince customers on the price of shoes. They sometimes say, no no, it is too much, we can't afford it. 'They really don't know what we face to purchase the materials and get the stuffs done.

What are your future aspirations for the shoe making venture?

What becomes of your degree? Well, I just hope one day, honestly, that my dreams of becoming a diplomat come true. I really want that. And also, I want to build the shoe-making business to a level where it won't only be making shoes for people, but train people on how to make shoes. It would be like a school where people can come and learn how to make different kinds of shoes. We will sell as well, but we will train people - it would be like a normal school. That's always being my dream for the business, and that's where I intend to take it to.


Your advice for young ladies?

I always tell people that you can do anything. God has blessed us so much that each and everyone of us has something deposited within us that can get us a good life. It is just for us to discover it. To every woman out there, ask yourself: what are are good at? There is something you are good at, and can make money from. Quoting Sam Adeyemi, 'there are people who needs your services. Check around. There's something lacking somewhere, and you just may be the solution for it.

Source: Nigerian Bulletin