By Mosa Matela
After experiencing hardship and penury throughout the early stages of her life, Likomang Ralepoma took matters into her own hands and founded Malivo Hats and Designs.
Malivo Hats and Designs is a brand that designs and makes bespoke hats for women. They make extravagant hats for different occasions and allow consumers the choice to bring in a design or to purchase one of their originals.
Born and raised in Maputsoe, Likomang was dealt with some of life’s most strenuous cards. Being part of a family as large as hers, she had to endure the death of her siblings and a rocky financial situation for the family at large.
“During my early stages of high school, I had to drop out of school due to lack of funds. I then had to help my sister get a job, in order for her to pay for my school fees,” Ralepoma said.
Finally, she was granted the chance to go back to school. However, she was slightly deterred as she got married and had to adjust to being a wife and a mother at a young age.
This did not stop Ralepoma as she went on to finish high school and eventually got her degree in teaching. She was able to find a job and slowly but surely things were looking up for her.
During her years as a teacher, she loved skimming through magazines when she had free time. One day she came across an article about a lady who makes her own hats and alas, a passion and interest in hat making was born.
Ralepoma looked for that woman for five years, and eventually found her in January of 2015. She was ecstatic and immediately asked the lady for lessons. She unfortunately, wasn’t giving lessons anymore. However, she sold Ralepoma a DVD that had all the essentials and instructions on how to make hats.
June of 2015, Ralepoma officially founded Malivo Hats and Designs and has been making history since. This isn’t it though, as Ralepoma has informed us of the various challenges that come with making hats.
“You can not find materials in Lesotho, therefore every time you are approached by a client, you have to hustle and make sure you get to South Africa, and even then, materials are only found in limited stores,” Ralepoma said.
Another challenge she faces is clients having unrealistic expectations and not understanding how bespoke works. She does go on to admit that if she is unable to produce a product exactly how the client wants it, she will be honest with them from the get go.
When asked about any advice she may have for young entrepreneurs, Ralepoma elately responds. “I want women to stand up! It is getting increasingly harder to find employment, so every woman should have a side hustle and some extra income coming in.”
Ralepoma also urges women to always have something going on, even if they are employed. She encourages ladies to prioritise quality of profits, to ensure that they deliver goods and services of quality at all times.
When asked about what strategies she uses in order to ensure success and growth, Ralepoma informs says she never leaves a place without advertising herself and her business.
“Make your work be known by everyone you come across, you never know who your next client will be,” she said.
In order to promote growth and empower women to start their own business, she will be hosting a tea party at Blue Mountain Inn on September 30. For enquires, contact 6688 1018.
You may also find her services on her Facebook page (Malivo Hats and Designs) or on 66881018.
