Meet this young lady who makes a living making and selling Shoes in Ekiti!

I love footwears so much.I go all out to look for the ones that are fine and still affordable ,I may not be able to afford designer shoes for now but any good looking footwear catches my eye. I was intrigued by the fact that I was meeting with a young female talent and also share her story .
I met Olamide Adeyemi in the act of shoemaking at her workshop and she spared sometime to speak to me in her  modest space.
RealEkitikete had an interesting interview with Olamide, the Director of Shoematics Collection.
Read below

Can we meet you?
My name is  Olamide Adeyemi . I am a  Shoemaker. I believe footwear is an essential need for all, hence my quest to make quality ones available at the most pocket friendly price.
In a few months time I will be graduating from Ekiti State University.

How did you find yourself  in this line of business?
 Shoematic came into being out of boredom and frustration. We were sent home because of the ASUU strike in 2014. I was back at home in Lagos helping my mother in her fabric store, opposite her shop is a police station, I would go there every morning to collect all their boots, polish and shine for a token before opening the fabric shop. Shoe care was more of a  passion for me. I decided to take  it further by learning it professionally.

 With the indefinite strike still on I returned to Ekiti to learn from an elderly man who is highly skilled in the craft. I was with him throughout the strike and after  till my apprenticeship contract expired. I would say I got the best from him because of his age,presently he cannot work again so when he needs me I still go to his worshop to work for him or myself.

Whats doing this type of business in Ekiti like?
To be honest with you, doing this my type of  business  in Ekiti has not been easy, people tend to price my products ridiculously because they believe locally hand-made shoes should almost be free. Not minding the fact that the quality of what I handmake locally can easily contend with international designer brands that people spend thousands of dollars to buy.
Secondly, my people here are basically civil servants ;they want to buy and have you collect money for a pair of shoes four times and this is me ,a Student, that buys raw materials too.
I know very soon Ekiti people will come to appreciate products like mine.
Even with  this I want to stay back in Ekiti and do my business. Bulk of my customers are online, Lagos and Abuja. I can always courier their purchases to them while we develop Ekiti alongside.

How did your Parents react to your choice of skill?
My mum  has always been very supportive from the start.i get loans from her to execute orders.  My dad on the other hand is very strict and would not want anything to distract me from  my studies. So I could not bring myself to tell him neither could  my mother .He found me online himself. I didn’t even now when he joined facebook. Now he sends me different shoe designs to try out.  If you are passionate about a course and you know its right never look at the opposition,it will eventually work for you.

How does Shoematic run?
My schedule is always tight because of my academics and other engagement but my business is my topmost priority.
I am the creative director . I have people working with me and others that I am training. I make quality  men’s shoes,sandals and slippers for men, women and children. We also revamp damaged shoes, I give life to damaged shoes. Shoematics also provides basic  shoe care services such as polishing, fixing new insoles,leather refinish,half and full sole replacement,stitching,gluing and colour change.

 What sets your business apart?
I incorporate technology into my business. With your phone in your hand you can have us pick up your shoes and get them fixed. In Ado-Ekiti for now.

 Is this business profitable?
Yes ,it is. Atleast  its paying my bills and the business is running itself. Though I lack some basic things but I am hoping for expansion and better  patronage. For example, I do not have an industrial leather sewing machine . I still manage my bosses’ old machine.

What would N2Million do for Shoematic ?
(With a wide grin on her face,She responded,me-where will I get the N2M)
I will get a very good industrial machine to give my works this extreme clean finish, I will invest in more materials,I will get a bigger place for my showroom.
Hopefully, someone will read this and give both of us N2M because I also have serious expansion moves that seems scary

All the footwears are handmade by her in Ekiti
Shoematics looks forward to expanding and getting to train more girls for free as shes passionate about the girl child education
We need to stop seeing made in Nigeria products as inferior.  Quality shoes are expensive. We have seen large import of shoes into Nigeria especially from China with minimal durability. Nigerian handmade shoes stand the test of time when compared with them. Patronise locally products you will get value for you money.

You can check up on Olamide to get your affordable luxuries  at

Instagram- Shoematic _collections
Whatsapp-07039450147