Keno suits stitched to greater heights
Dumisani Ncube | Friday February 3, 2017 18:00
Keno Custom Suits is the brainchild of two entrepreneurs Donald Nnoto and Thobo Kerekang. Their entity specialises in designing custom made suits for both men and women. They started off as a small company that was just known by a few people but with time they have grown.
Different customers, from general citizens, celebrities and diplomats have been spotted around town wearing Keno Custom Suits.
“There is a lot of tailors out there, the important thing is to stand out, have a unique selling point. It’s about branding and packaging. Staring up was never easy but it’s all about believing in yourself as a business person. It’s important to reinvest in the business, have a plan and understand the business. It takes time to be established, we have made progress but it’s not enough, it should never be enough as an entrepreneur,” said Kerekang as he spoke of how they have managed to stay relevant and grow in the industry.
He noted that as an entrepreneur one has to understand their stuff, product and market, “Its about balancing interests of yourself knowing your client and stuff, coming up with strategies. You can’t compromise yourself as an entrepreneur, your clients or your staff’s welfare”.
Kerekang was not shy to state that their professionalism levels have taken them to greater heights despite the various challenges along the way. He vividly noted that for a business to grow, professionalism should remain the core of the business. “You have to think big, be professional, have a financial plan, proper record keeping.”
Talking of the various strategies, which enabled their brand to grow and be credible, Kerekang noted that they had to partner with various people in different industries to help them add impetus and market the Keno Custom Suits. Some of these people have been seen at events such as Miss Botswana, and the YAMAs rocking Keno Custom Suits.
Having started in 2014 operating in one room they have now grown, occupying the entire building.
Their growth was visible last year December when they announced through Facebook that they would not be taking any orders for the rest of the year because they are fully booked. They are already fully booked until April.
“Tailors are like mechanics they never say the work is enough they keep taking more orders. In line with the element of professionalism you have to have a certain number of orders that will give your staff a good working environment that will lead to them producing quality work. We have to understand the line of business,” he said.
He claims that objectives and having a tag line is the way go. “Our tag line is ‘image matters’. Before you say anything to anyone the way you are dressed says everything about you.”
Kerekang noted that their journey to growth is ongoing as they are adding more elements that go hand in hand with suits. Despite having the skill Kerekang and his business partner Nnoto focus more on the designing, branding, marketing and administration aspect while their staff put together the suits.