By Seleoe Nonyane
Motipong Fabrics is one of the most popular clothes dyeing businesses in the country which is run by a young vibrant Mosotho male called Litṧitso Moea.
Moea is a 28-year old man from Phomolong in Qoaling, Maseru.
He says his business focuses on dyeing worn out clothes, shoes and everything that is made of cotton.
He said the business idea that came to him is very dear to his heart and that it at a time when he was in desperate need of an outfit which he was not able to afford at the time.
He said his first inception into the dyeing business was in 2017 when he was a first year student at the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology.
“I had to present a project I did while I was still at the university and was expected to wear an all-black formal outfit which I did not have as the one I had was worn out.
“So, due to not being able to get a new outfit, I took my worn out clothes to someone who dyes clothes in my village in order to make them look new.
“And it was at that moment when I saw a business opportunity and make my own money for transport and my other needs because I had no sponsorship,” he said.
He said he struck an agreement with the owner of the business he dyed his presentation clothes at that he would bring him clients and he would in turn be paid commission attracting customers.
“Whatever he charged, I multiplied it by two,” he said.
He continued with working with his business partner and he said he learned a lot from his business and at a later stage he grabbed the opportunity of operating on his own and Motipong Fabrics was birthed.
He stated that one other reason that made him take up this business opportunity was the fact that his lectures wore black clothes which wear out easily so he thought he would influence them to be his customers.
He put the word out there that he is in the clothes dyes business and his dream became a reality as some tutors started buying from him.
He indicated that the business has been performing well so despite encountering a couple of challenges along the way. That forced him to re-think how he runs his business by introducing some changes.
Among some of the challenges he has faced he cited a major one as a situation when clients fail to pay for their purchases.
“I have about 20 unpaid items with me right now. Some I collected them in January but their owners have not come to collect them and this automatically becomes a loss,” he lamented.
He said that when his customers bring their clothes to his business they now have to pay for the right away in order to avoid running a loss remarking: “Payment is due upon pick up,” he said.
Moreover, he said that competition is very high but is not bothered much because he has got some tricks up his sleeve that make him stand out from his competitors.
He realised that most dyeing businesses use a powered dye while he uses a liquid dye which he has seen to be a favourite when it comes to his clients.
One other aspect that makes him stand out is that he does free pick-ups and deliveries. He said they go directly to his clients whenever they are in need of their services.
He said that there is room for growth for his business as some people cannot afford to buy new clothes from time to time and he said he works for at least six clients a day so he is hopeful that the future is bright for the business.
He mentioned that apart from his business he is a movie fanatic and wants to contribute toward the film industry in the country. He hopes to one day open up a cinema in the country.
His business is based at Phomolong in Qoaling and he can be contacted on +266-57246265 or 63505833.
