SO Fly “IT’S A LifeStyle”
Starting a business can be both scary and exciting at the same time. It is scary because one would be venturing into the world of the unknown and exciting because one might get the desired results of making profit. It is a known fact that starting a business on your own can be too risky as there are no guarantees and any action taken could have a big impact on the life of a business person. Life is all about having security and this is one of the main reasons why some dread to start their own businesses. Only those who dare to dream and are not afraid of taking risks can venture into the world of entrepreneurship.
In 2010 Sibusiso Tzonzi (25) started his own clothing brand, So Fly Garments. He was inspired by his love for fashion and entrepreneurship. “I saw how well the market responded to the branded t-shirt business. I went out there, got as much information about this type of business and that is how So Fly came to be”, he said.
Tzonzi was a marketing student at the University of Johannesburg and he was unable to complete the course. He then concluded that instead of going out there to look for a job, he would start his own business where he could one day employ other young people. “I love marketing and that is why I started my own brand that I would market”, he added. The self-taught graphic designer came up with the So Fly logo of the Jozi sky scrapers on a butterfly. According to him the logo is a metaphor of someone flying outside of Jozi and being established in other parts of the country. “I want my brand to be known all over the country and to one day be an international brand,” said Tzonzi.
At the outdoor store you will find young people playing music, dancing and just having fun. One could think that it is a party but that is not so. Tzonzi knows his market so much so that he keeps them entertained while they brows around at the store. He said that his choice of venue was a way of making people aware of his product and to create brand awareness. “As soon as I see that people know what So Fly is all about, I will be moving into a bigger facility that is currently under construction at my home,” he said.
He admits that it has not been all smooth sailing for the business. “In the 2 years that I have been in business, I have been through a lot of ups and downs. I experienced financial difficulties as I had to fund the business from my own pocket but there have also been some good experiences. I am proud of where I am right now with the business and it can only get better,” he concluded.
Mandisa Baloyi was at the opening of the store and she was impressed by what she saw. “So Fly is unique and I believe that it is going places. It is appealing and I just love the brand,” she said.
