There is every reason to be grateful for thoughtful entrepreneurs like Mabel Suglo, the founder of Eco-Shoes in Ghana. Anything to do with Mabel’s shoe store is worth the applause. From her heart to only employing those with certain physical limitations to the eco nature of business, Mabel represents everything humankind dreams of.
The business was born out of a desire to improve the lives of people with disabilities. She hopes her work will change people’s attitudes towards the disabled.
Second, the Eco Shoes project recycles used materials and available African prints to create shoes and accessories.
“I’m trying to build a community of conscious consumers with a forward-thinking team who believe that reuse and recycling can turn trash into treasure.”
Mabel Suglo company formation
At the time she was starting her shoe industry, Mabel, who is passionate about poverty alleviation, was a student at the university. She founded her humanitarian and eco-friendly company in 2013 with 5 employees. Choosing the shoe store wasn’t exactly fashion conscious. The inspiration for making shoes came from her grandmother’s experiences.
Mabel’s grandmother suffered from leprosy. She experienced firsthand the discrimination and stigma she had to endure. On another occasion, the young entrepreneur with a heart of gold shared this narrative:
Then one day I was walking into town and I saw a disabled man begging for money. One person didn’t give him any money but told him he was no good, useless and stuff like that.
“I was just watching and had this mental image of my grandmother. I’ve really seen how we isolate these people. I thought it was high time they felt welcome in the community. “
Because of the way people treated her grandmother and some other vulnerable people, Mabel vowed to improve life for people with disabilities.
“So I just walked up to him and asked if he could get a job that paid more than begging. Would he be willing to work? And he said yes. “
business purpose
Mabel wanted to change perceptions of these disabled people by giving them a purpose; a reason to wake up in the morning and feel useful, unlike the impression given to the public.
Still pondering what to do, Mabel Suglo borrowed a sheet of creativity from her grandmother.
“The idea of using car tires to make shoes came up… My grandmother actually wore old car tires for shoes because she had no toes and no shoes could fit her feet… So she just took a car tire, cut it short pieces and tied it with a rope and it worked well together. Other farmers have done the same. “
Mabel wants to build a community of awareness and conscientious consumers who, like her, believe they can turn waste into treasure through reuse and recycling. For a more attractive and commercial product, the young entrepreneur sought the help of fashion entrepreneurs. Mabel also worked with a local school for the disabled.
The facility helped these people with disabilities make shoes from discarded tires and recycled materials.
In 2015, Mabel Suglo, aged 22, won $12,500 as the second runner-up in the Anzisha Prize, Africa’s premier award for young entrepreneurs.
Eco shoes and accessories are sold through a small distribution network to various retailers in four regions in Ghana. Mabel has plans to enter the wider market. She estimates that the artisans will make 1,000 to 1,500 handbags a year in addition to the shoes that are made. With the 2015 Anzisha Prize of $12.50, Mabel plans to use the prize money to buy better machines to increase productivity at the Eco-Shoes project. Her other plans include investing in setting up an e-commerce website and additional training for her staff, including computer-aided shoe design.
Mable Suglo understands that DISABILITY IS NOT A DISABILITY Because of her personable personality, she was easily able to hire disabled employees if she approached them with dignity and respect and asked if they would be willing to try something new if it paid more . Outside of the business, she is actively involved in changing her attitudes in Ghana.