It’s hard to believe that the owner and founder of colourful children’s shoe brand Oratile Kids, Tsepiso Monamodi, started her business with just one sewing machine. An even more fascinating fact: she didn’t even know how to sew!
“I was lucky because the lady who sold me the machine asked me if I could sew, and I said no,” Tsepiso recalls. “So I would go to her shop every Friday afternoon for lessons.”
Oratile Kids became a Clicks supplier when the first stand-alone Clicks Baby Store opened. The idea for the business came about after Tsepiso’s aunt told her about soft shoes for toddlers that were available when Tsepiso was a child.
Tsepiso searched high and low but could only find one very overpriced supplier. The more she researched, the more she fell in love with the concept of comfortable, durable shoes that actually aided a baby’s development.
“I wanted them to be unique,” she says. “I taught myself how to make the shoes. I think it took me about 6 months.”
The word “oratile” means love, and was chosen because the shoes are made with love. Tsepiso sold her shoes at markets for about three years. When the pandemic hit and markets were forced to close, Tsepiso started using social media to sell her products. This was when her business started to flourish and she caught Clicks’ eye.
She recalls that when she received a direct message on social media from the Clicks team, she thought it was a hoax. “I thought, ‘no man, these people are lying!’” she says with a laugh.
“Clicks has really held my hand through this,” Tsepiso enthuses. “It’s very exciting – good things are coming!”
Oratile Kids shoes are available in Clicks Baby Stores at Canal Walk Shopping Centre, Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Mall of Africa and the recently opened Clicks Baby Store at Menlyn Park Shopping Centre. You can also find them on the Clicks website.