I am a graduate of Accounting from the Federal University of Technology, Yola, now MAUTECH.
Being an Accounting graduate never stopped me from chasing my dreams which is becoming a "Shoe maker," a vision that makes me feel fulfilled as a person.
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| Clement Edoka |
My childhood has a lot to do with my journey into shoe making.
I always remember when Mom would buy inferior, substandard shoes for me. To my greatest surprise, these shoes will park-up (get spoilt) in weeks. My Mom and I became so angry with the manufacturers, raining all manner of curses on them, 😁 (Like we could see them). As a result of such occurrences, I would (then) take some pairs of shoes in my bag to school and study them during break periods. I will loose them completely and study the make-up. I would discover (as young as I was then) that the materials used (in making these shoes) were very inferior.
One day, I was privileged to be with a friend called Noah Ogbeh a.k.a Observation, the next thing I saw was that he brought out some used Dun lop slippers and started amending them. I became interested in the magic he was performing and before I knew it, I became his errand boy 😁.
After school, we would go to the village market, make amendments for customers and he'll bless me with a token. I would be so happy.
The worst and darkest day of my life as a little boy then was drawing close but I never knew it. I know you'll ask how?
I actually tore a handbag belonging to my Mom and made two pairs of slippers for her. When she came back home, I presented the slippers to her. She was so happy with me. She even kissed my forehead, because they were so beautiful (I wish I had cameras then).
The next day, she wanted going out, after dressing up with her new pair of slippers, her friend suggested she used "that bag that matches with the pair of slippers on her foot." Trying to reach for the bag, she discovered her bag was the the pair of slippers on her feet. She quietly called me into her room by my pet name "ōbum, ga ka." (meaning, " my husband, pls come.") I went in with gladness. Lo and behold, she grabbed me to herself, with the aid of her friend, they beat NONSENSE out and returned SENSE to me, 😁
After that experience, I didn't give up, I started recycling my torn school bags and cloths into shoes. I could literally use anything bendable and flexible for shoes. I kept making for her. She became tired and left me alone.
One day I told her, "when I grow up, I will become a Shoemaker, and I'll make classy shoes for you," and she said, "God forbid that you become a Shoemaker," angrily I replied "you'll wear my shoes." 😁
Today, she wears the shoes I make with smiles on her face. My siblings also wear the shoes I make just as my late dad did when he was alive.
I started my journey as a Shoemaker because I got passionate about humans and all I represent. I represent passion, creative thinking, self-love, smart work, hard work, confidence, innovations, living dreams.
I make humans complete in class, confidence and poised with good shoes.
I make you love yourself and wear your true self.
My philosophy is to help people find and enjoy their true self through shoes. Wanting them to feel happy, walk with their heads held high.
The only success nugget that drives me is "follow your dreams." I have always been an ambitious boy but the walls of poverty and low self-esteem trapped me until I walked the path of self-discovery. I realized that I didn't need to be the brightest star to sparkle and so, I decided to shamelessly own my dreams and walk through the spotlight. If I could dream it, I believed I could achieve it; and of course, none of that made sense to any one who heard that I was an excellent student of Accounting (with Second Class Upper) but found my path in shoe-making. It didn't make sense to a lot of people and even sometimes to me, but I kept on moving.
INSPIRATION
Everyone and everything inspires me. Everyone on the journey of life inspires me. Looking at how far I've come also inspires me.
MY CHALLENGES
Building a business from the scratch with little or nothing to start with is mentally stressful and energy draining. I experience daily what most start-ups go through; especially in the aspect of funding. But you know what?, I am extremely positive about the outcome. I will keep building and hope for destiny helpers because I am sure they will come by some day
ON GIVING UP
I must be an award winning liar if I say 'I don't feel like giving up sometimes. I have felt like giving up more than I felt like holding on. Every start-up entrepreneur have felt same way too; so I cannot be an exemption. All I do is LEARN FROM IT because it's part of the journey. If I had decided to give up, I wouldn't have bothered starting at all.
WORDS OF ADVISE
I'm not into shoe-making because it's attractive, I do it because I'm passionate about it. The bitter truth is that, there will be time when attraction without passion can't pull you through. I'm still walking in the path of destiny with the force of UNWAVERING PASSION.
Clement Edoka
Certificate in Data-Processing & Programming, Benpoly
Diploma in Computer Science, Benpoly:
National Diploma in Accounting, Fedpoly, Mubi.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, MAUTECH.
M.Sc. Accounting (in view), NSUK.
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