By Matṧeliso Phulane
A desire to have a unique phone case with his picture on it, Filipi Mpapa built on an idea to establish a business that makes phone covers in June 2021.
Named Customised Phone Covers has now become a brand specialising in design of phone cases depending on the choice of a customer. Such pictures range from an image of a loved one, business brands, logos, role models, football stars or the owner’s name written on it.
Mpapa told theReporter this week that he was inspired by the love of art since he was growing up. His ambition was to have his unique phone case with his picture on it but could not find such service, sparking a push for him to invent the art. He then conducted research about such possibility.
“I have an App that allows us to design the appearance of a suggested picture and how it will look like. Again, it enables customers to compare which picture will be suitable for their covers. I use materials from China depending on the order I receive.
“I also researched and watched YouTube videos and downloaded different Apps and compared the one with good edits and those which could be easier to use,” he said
His target market are people who are willing to impress their loved ones in case they do not find suitable covers from the phone shops.
Although he is solely running the business, he is willing to have a partner to boost production.
In his trade, he encounters difficulty in delivering to his customers in time due to limited courier service to places such as Qacha’s Nek, Mokhotlong and South Africa.
“Besides that, I am struggling to find cases for old phone models and unpopular ones. Sometimes customers fail to be patient enough and end up withdrawing their orders.
But I have negotiated with some courier companies to enable timely delivery of the items to the customers, he stressed, adding buyers need to be alerted of any possible delays that might occur.
However, he has realised that the small enterprise is not growing as much as he had thought, noting that a variety of marketing strategies were employed.
His attempt to market the art on the social media including Facebook, have earned him good results as friends are able to distribute his makes to their collegaues.
The 28 year-old Mpapa is a graduate from Lerotholi Polytechnic and holds a Diploma in Business Management which he completed in 2017.
Believing that he can go far, his burning desire is to expand his business to other parts of the country and even break into international market.
“The increase in production will also allow me to provide each and every phone with covers that customers may need,” he observed.
His ardent advice to other entrepreneurs is to keep trying on what they are are willing to do even if the progress is slow as “good things do not come cheaply and need time for commitment.”
“I would be impressed to see business owners having their phone cases with their business brands and logos on them,” he concluded
Phone covers’ prices range from M 200 each with the price reduced to M170 when buying. Two or more covers.
He can be contacted on + 266 59214807/ 266 6358962. Or visit Customised Phone Covers on Facebook, Instagram: Customised.Phone.Covers, on Twitter at: PhillipMpapa as well as Instagram: Phil.Mpapa and Tiktok: Philmpapa
