Cobbler cycles his way to riches

Updated Tuesday, June 25th 2013 at 15:20 GMT +3

By FRANCIS ONTOMWA

He had initially cycled himself into poverty for long. Even when he covered more distances, he bit little from the fruits of his labour. He would rake in less than Sh50, or on a good day Sh100 daily.

Thirteen years ago, he set up a shoe cobbling business to escape the decades of this tiresome venture — ferrying goods and passengers on bicycles commonly known as boda bodas.

For 35-year-old Cristiano Asila, the thought that the venture would later become a project that would support his family and youth in Kakamega town did not cross his mind.

Unfamiliar territory

He pondered how he would build a strong empire in an unfamiliar territory. This was after divorcing himself from the cycling business that had little proceeds.

However, strong faith is what he needed to initiate action. He did not hold back at anything. The story penned of his effort is life changing.

Today, a proud Asila runs a small shoe making open air shop along Kakamega-Mumias Road.

He loves calling it ‘Weingo’ Shoe making Company to mean ‘homegrown’.

 Now he mints good money. He has employed five young men working side by side with him. Tens of others he has trained have started their own projects.  “I started this business with little capital. At first, I did not envision what I was building, I had been tired working as a boda boda cyclist,” he recalls of his humble beginning.

“I needed a real deal to help me make meaningful strides in life.” He sold his bicycle for Sh1000. He then used the money to support shoe-cobbling business. “I bought the essentials of a shoe cobbler and regularly visited an uncle of mine who had done the job for several years.

The first few days in the business were disappointing, I would go home with as little as Sh50 a day,” Asila narrates.

more income

The business however slowly  picked up with more clients liking his work. On a good day, he makes between Sh3,000 and Sh4,000.

His team of cobblers largely includes former bodaboda cyclists and masons. They too have learnt the ropes and making better money. “I call myself a tutor because once I impart the skills to these young men, they spread the message to others. I am always happy when I see everyone excel,” averred Asila.

The group has taken a speciality in repairing and cleaning safari leather boots. It is a brand that sells most in town.

They also engage in shoe shining business with comfortable seats in place set for clients. “We have cut a niche for ourselves in leather boots. Not many cobblers handle this kind of material as it requires expertise of a high degree and at the same time strong equipment. This explains why we are the most preferred in the entire Kakamega,” noted David Ambunya, a former cyclist.

Other people who work for Asila include Johnstone Andabwa, Anthony Anyonje, Saul Likuyi and Bernard Otinya.

“I you are good at what you do, customers will trickle in automatically. When I used to ride a bicycle, I could go home with just Sh100 or even less. But today, things are different, I sometimes make more than Sh500,” observed 27 year-Likuyi.

 “ This business does not make me tired like the bicycle. Besides, the good customer relations we have established here, makes guarantees us customer,” observed Otinya.

“Depending on hardwork and efficiency you can rake in as much your work.”

At the end of the day, Asila pays each of them his rightful share depending on work. The hardworking ones usually get better remuneration.

Additionally, the customer base has burgeoned and customers from as far as Kisumu, Bungoma and Mumias visit ‘Weingo’ for shoes repairs. “We are located just along the busy Kakamega-Mumias main road. You cannot miss to see our attractive display. Big companies bring us business in bulk because they can trust us,” adds Otinya.

For Asila, the business has enabled him to raise a young family of five.

His children are in school. The income has seen him built a home at Shikambi Estate, Kakamega in addition to buying two dairy cattle.

business challenges

The business however has enough challenges. The team operates in an open space and during the rainy season, some operations are crippled.

 Also, local authorities demand daily fee from them, reducing on their returns.

 “Rain is a blessing and evil to us, blessing because it brings us customers for shoe shining and also forces us to ask for places at peoples’ corridors,” notes Asila.

He plans to expand the venture for the betterment of his family and employees.

“This is a special art that has changed my life. In next few years, be sure to find me in this trade,” asserts Asila. However, once I achieve my goal,  I will retire gracefully, right now I plan to expand the business.”