27-year-old Kutlo Marumo’s company, Important Brands, is a two-year old business that is successfully tapping into the African National Congress (ANC) regalia market.
Marumo has a stall at the ANC National General Council (NGC), taking place in Midrand, Gauteng, where he is an official merchandiser.
He sells caps, t-shirts, golf shirts, jackets, watches, and shoes to a hungry market.
Having started his business in 2013 in Durban, he now also has a branch in Johannesburg, with plans to keep expanding. He has had to fund his own business with no external capital assistance or investment.
His Head of Marketing and Branding, Chantel Morris, says social media has proved especially effective in marketing their products. The company has a Facebook page which, in addition to her own, creates significant interaction online.
Important Brands’ merchandise is priced from R150 for a cap, to R750 for a biker jacket, and watches at a price that has be requested.
The company gives back to society though and 10 percent of its proceeds goes to buy needy children school shoes via the Manasseh Foundation and a partnership with a shoe manufacturing company.
To view some of the company’s merchandise, click below.
– By Christelle du Toit