by Brigette Mashile

Rent is every entrepreneur’s nightmare, that is if you need a space for your business.  The property market in South Africa has increased prices at an alarming rate.  When I first rented in Midrand, I was paying R3000 each month for a 7 x 4 space.  It was in a plot type of area, not as commercial as it is today. The rental currently is R7 500 for the same space. This is the same story across residential rates.

by Brigette Mashile

One of the biggest challenges we face as businesspeople is realizing that YOU DID IT.  Most of the time it is because while the success of that is happening, another hurdle is appearing. Or the very success is coming with bigger challenges and you are aware you are not ready for all of them.  Therefore, we don’t sit in the success, we don’t take the time to see that we have achieved a task list we set out to achieve.

by Brigette Mashile

I have mentioned in past blogs that hiring is one of the biggest challenges of running your own business. Well, it does not get better. The obstacles just change in nature. It has been a year and a bit of me being at home and attempting to hire someone to help me.  I got shocked every week by the failures of not finding 1 person who can help me. I mean, my brain had said there are many people at home I could possibly hire; a lot of people available to train…my brain was incorrect. Here is what I have discovered as barriers.

by Brigette Mashile

My biggest strength in running a business in South Africa is that I am multilingual. I can comprehend Sesotho, Sepedi, Setswana, isiSwati, Xitsonga, Tshivenda, isiXhosa, isiZulu, English and Afrikaans. I am struggling with isiNdebele, and lately Shona; the reason for Shona is merely the fact that we have over 700 000 Zimbabweans living in SA, and a portion of them are definitely Shona. If they are Ndebele, I can comprehend it too as it sounds (to me) close to isiZulu.

by Brigette Mashile

For many years my mother has lived alone. This is because all four daughters went to boarding school and tertiary institutions in other cities; and her husband has also always worked in other towns. We each came back home for holidays, big events, etc, but my mother is the most common human in this house. I think this is the reason why she has her clothes in every bedroom cupboard! I am trying to find a respectable reason why my mother has too many clothes…

by Brigette Mashile

I have been running a business since 2014 and I can confirm it feels like I have been studying towards a masters of sorts. There are so many things I have discovered, learned and realized in the past 9 years. Some of which I wonder if I would have learned had I been in another industry or type of career. I also suspect each business owner has their own learning based on the industry they are in. Here is a list of the top 3 things I think are most important…

by Brigette Mashile

Consistency: acting or done in the same way over time, especially so as to be fair or accurate - Google

Every guru in every speciality will tell you that you can do anything you set your mind to, and you will excel if you are consistent in it. If you have a strategy and you follow it religiously, over time it becomes easier and you start seeing the results of your efforts. The simplest example is gym. A lot of posts on social media on the subject of weight loss talk about being consistent. Even if the exercise is 5 minutes long, as long as you are consistent daily, at some point you start seeing a difference.

by Brigette Mashile

One question you will be asked as a creative is where do you draw inspiration? And I have sensed people want a deep answer, some philosophical long encyclopedia statement. If you have a way with words, give it to them; but if you are like me here is a simple list:

by Brigette Mashile

One thing a client will let you have is their opinion. Whether you asked for it or not! In the years I have made dresses for many people, I have gathered a few things that people want which I still don’t have full understanding of. Some of them I have been told why, others it’s just as is. Here is the list:

by Brigette Mashile

Many of my peers struggle with taking a day off. There are many reasons why, but it’s taboo to just not work for 24 hours. We fail. Especially in an era where all communication is tied to the phone, we keep it with us every minute of the day. You would have to switch it off the entire day to have a day off. And then, find a way to switch off your brain. Then, you need a day or two to actually get over the constant anxiety of wondering how it is really going without you!

by Brigette Mashile

In 2021 I made a decision to go retail. I have been thinking about this for maybe a 100 years LOL! In line with my creative procrastination talent, I think and ponder and wonder and eventually go in scared. After this decision I had to decide how; I then approached my options and received 2 yesses. So now, we are mainly online with Shopify and Zando. This sound easy right, like just two more sales channels. Alas, my brain has been fried with set up on both platforms, it took 4 – 6 weeks to complete the set up. Even with help!

by Brigette Mashile

The other day I was wondering why I am more comfortable to work with a lot of people today; and also why I am able to tackle any type of garment presented to me? In the beginning, in 2014, at age 27 I was more cautious, hesitant, and simply scared. Every enquiry I received, I had to analyze if it was something I had done before. Today my answer to the question, ‘Can you do this?’ is almost automatic. I believe I will be able to deliver on most challenges. That I think is confidence!

by Brigette Mashile

Apparently the first step to a solution is to realize you have a problem; then recognize the problem and finally make a plan to change it. Some of these issues take us a long time to realize, or to accept. I realize my issues fast, but I need to see the pattern it is creating before I do anything about it. It is that stubborn scientist part of me that needs proof first! Definitely a time waster, but this is how I have been. And that too needs to change.

by Brigette Mashile

A lot of people always say to us ‘just a simple dress, nothing difficult’ and we just stare at them. The words in my mind as I stare at a client saying this, ‘then maybe you should make it’; because if it is that simple…..I mean!? My favourite lecturer said to us, the simpler looking clothes are difficult to make versus the difficult looking ones. This statement will only make sense once you start making clothes, it sounds impossible but it is true.

by Brigette Mashile

This week I read another meme which reminded me that it has been close to 3 years of Covid reality! I mean, I know but why are we counting? Who felt the need to remind us? This year, I no longer have a fear of Covid because of the amount of things, people and realities I have lost from it. It’s a ‘whatever happens’ kind of relationship now. Covid must Covid, and I will Brigette every day. I am so nonchalant about it because of the amount of times it has tried to trap me, for example:

by Brigette Mashile

It’s a new year (grin emoji), and I honestly cannot tell if I feel it or not. I just feel like last week was December and today it is January. What I know for sure is that I am exhausted and need a new way. Those are the two things I am sure of. I need to rest more, no matter what is happening; and secondly because the world has changed and is changing every day, I too need to change. This is not a list of ‘what I wish for in 2022’, 2021 taught us to relax on the wishing and just hope we live to see the 31st of December.

by Brigette Mashile

It is 5 minutes to 3am and I’m up. I have taken a shower; made tea and I am writing. Not one thing seems wrong with all of it, I am happy in this moment. I have trained my brain to believe that somewhere in the world it is midday, and they are making lunch! The only reason it is night is because the sun is on the other side, so honestly it could be day here too now…no? Ok, fine, you may sleep but let me be.

by Brigette Mashile

A few years ago, I told my friends I would never have a live-in nanny in my house, and it made sense then. I didn’t need a live-in nanny! We had a lady who came in once every 2 weeks to do our laundry, which eventually became every week as I got busier. Also, the laundry became the entire house very fast, because honestly, I don’t want to wash dishes after stitching dresses and having fittings with different clients.

by Brigette Mashile

Pricing - I avoid this topic, a lot. It is because it makes me uncomfortable. I have no direct reason, so I know it must be deep and attached to money in general. This is a major issue because I run a business, I make products which I sell, every day. What am I doing? What have I been doing? Ah…sigh… I need to dig deeper and solve this mystery. At some point in my business, my analysis pointed to something off with our pricing, and it is still there. This is because I made a few major errors in the beginning.

by Brigette Mashile

Why don’t we make masks for sale? That was the message from my mom recently. I decide to call her to talk to her about my thoughts. Her question is on point, this seems to be the only item anyone with a sewing machine should be doing currently. Ignore all the wedding, graduation, party or any other event outfits you had orders on; if the last time you touched your sewing machine is 10 years ago… now it’s the time to bring it out again. There is an advert flyer I say it said South Africa needs 36 million masks and you can get to make some of them. What a number!

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

Two weeks ago I submitted my writing to an organization that is looking for content writers. I was referred by a friend. After 2 weeks I was about to ask if they had received my work for the opportunity but I received the reply first. And it was a NO. I will admit, I feared that it was a no before I opened the email; I tried to reprimand myself. Why am I expecting the worst? Well I did receive the worst.

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

In this time where most of us are ‘stuck’ at home, there are a lot of things we suddenly have to do ourselves. I have seen many many posts about how tedious it is to have to cook every day and more than once a day. A lot of us were at work, in an office for most of the day; we either packed lunch to work or just grabbed a sandwich from the tuck shop. Well, suddenly we have to cook breakfast, lunch and supper. For some, it is for an entire family vs you living alone for most of the year.

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

Last week, I got an enquiry on my phone about us making a dress for a collection on Thursday - the problem was this message was coming in on a Tuesday. I immediately responded with the message that we unfortunately wouldn’t be able to make a dress by Thursday. This, of course was not a lie. The entire process of making a dress is just not possible in 1 day. Even one week is not enough. So many things can and will go wrong.

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

During the festive season people talk about how exhausted they feel; that they have been working hard the entire year and need a break. Most people are referring to the period of a year, 12 months of constant working and no rest. These people are mostly in corporate, makes sense! Then there is us; and those other brave souls that do corporate and business! We have been working 24/7 every day of the year, with random rests brought upon us by the flu! Then on a more personal level, there was me last year who was exhausted from 5 years’ worth of work. Constant, continuous, painful work. With doses of stress sessions in between as to whether we would make it. To say I was exhausted is an understatement; I felt depleted.

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

When I started Roka Roko, I didn’t consider my options as to how I wanted to operate. I didn’t think that far ahead. My main goal was to make clothes people felt and looked amazing in. I had been postponing my dream for at least 10 years and finally the opportunity was here. So, I just dove in. As the years passed, I became more and more exposed to other fashion businesses and ways of operation. I toyed with a few operating models and realizedthat it is better to find one and stick to it. I mean,  you can 80% do one, and maybe 20% another; but your cash cow needs to be clear and strictly followed.

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

The moment you decide to start a business, understand that taking a conscious break will be impossible. A business has so many aspects to it that need your attention each day; so much so that taking a Saturday off is a sin. Imagine, a weekend day! You will feel bad for doing nothing all day, people will definitely contact you on that very day you are off; and you will want to speak to them. So ideally, taking a break as an entrepreneur becomes a struggle to pretend you don’t have work all day.

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

There is an idea formed by many of us that people who run businesses, or at least render some service to us, are not human like us.  For some reason we see them as the ‘lady at the coffee shop’ or the ‘petrol attendant’; we never ever relate to them as people who sleep at night and wake up in the morning.  This experience is the same for me.  I believe a lot of fashion business people like myself feel like this...no…just me? Ok LOL. I have seen that many clients are not aware of the things they say that could be offensive or just make no sense at all.  Most of the time, they say things that benefit themselves. 

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

I have been thinking for almost 6 months about a lot of the processes and events I have had in business; obviously wondering what I have done right and wrong. This is due to the fact that after 5 years I woke up one day and felt like I was depleted.  Physically, mentally and emotionally depleted; the kind that needs a holiday with my mom on a quiet island, untapped without WIFI.  I’m exaggerating…ok, ok, but I’m not lying. 

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko (South Africa)

Last year I decided to make my sister a long lasting birthday gift, something I believed she could keep for a long time.  So I decided to get her a 100% leather bag set.  I got this idea after seeing some leather items at a market one Saturday afternoon (done by a supplier from Bloemfontein with a long track record and equipment to produce and engrave). Their quality was amazing and I took their contact details. I had an idea to make her a weekend bag, a hand bag and a wallet. Then I would find a way to personalize it so she always knows it’s from her big sister.

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

A month ago I decided it was probably time to look for help again. This was driven by the fact that I had been off work for a few weeks due to personal struggles and was more than just behind on everything.  Plus this, I had a wedding coming up. So the panic and anxiety and my friends made me do it! Well, great advice from them, though I was in no space to be my 100% self. I needed help, as any other human being does on this earth. I needed to hire.