Push, a name synonymous with
quality and durable shoes has so far been a household name in the country. Most
people have been curious to know the brain behind this exquisite footwear, some
say it’s an Italian, others say it’s Spanish. The brain behind Push is no other
person but Bosah Chibuzo Felix a
talented and intelligent young Nigerian. In an interview with Cindy Amos, Emeka revealed the secrets
behind his famous designer shoes.
Excerpts:
How
long have you been in business?
Approximately a year now
How
did you come about the name Push?
It is an
inspiration from God, I was praying and the name Push just dropped into me
Apart
from shoes, what else do you make?
For now we are focused on footwear, most masculine and
feminine footwear. Our watchword is
building standard through durable, unique, quality and at the same time
affordable shoes. I am into only shoes
for now because I believe in the word that says ‘’solidify your household
before you diversify’’.
Did
you learn the job?
No, it’s a passion I
developed because I’ve always been an artiste, I draw a lot. I often draw shoes
because I have passion for shoes, so I started designing and sketching and push
shoes evolved from there.
What
are the challenges you have experienced so far in your business?
Honestly speaking,
it has not been rosy but the lord has been faithful. One needs to fall to stand. I remember when we first started, we had
issues of clients promising and not meeting up with their promises. They come,
make demands, then you make the designs and they don’t come to collect it. And when you call them, they don’t pick your
calls. Another challenge is the feelings some people have towards African
products, some believe in travelling to probably UK, Spain or Italy to buy
their products. But now, things are better, that’s why you hear the name Push
everywhere.
What
are your good times in the business?
I feel happy because this
work brings me out, a lot of time people call from Spain, US, Uk, many other
countries outside Nigeria and they commend my designs greatly. They often ask
that I come over. Since I cannot always travel because it will affect my business,
when I get demand outside Nigeria, I ship them.
The demand is even higher in the international markets because people
are surprise about the quality and durability of my product despite the fact
that they are handmade.
How
can you describe the bulk of your clientele?
It’s so amazing. I
have clients in more than ten countries. Apart from Nigeria, I have clients in
the UK, US, Spain, Italy, Malaysia, Norway and other African countries some
other many more .
Do
you work with a team?
Yes I do, I cannot do all the work alone, but I as the
CEO, I oversee everything.
What’s
the secret behind your quality shoes?
It’s simple, we
use quality fabrics.
Can
you tell us about yourself?
I am from Anambra State, Nigeria, from a family of five,
I am the last. I attended to St Gregory’s college ikoyi, graduated from Lagos
State University LASU, majored in computer science.
Since
you studied computer science, how did you deviate from being a computer
scientist to an artiste?
Yes, I know there’s a big difference between an artiste
and a scientist, besides, it doesn’t connect. But sincerely speaking, in
today’s society, nothing connects. It’s about what you can do to survive. Also
discovering your talent, develop passion in it and earn from it. It’s just like creating a design almost
effortlessly out of passion and people are purchasing it. Moreover, when you
look at the labour markets, there are no jobs; the only way to make it is to be
an entrepreneur. It’s not like I’m doing
this because I cannot get a job, but this is my own passion.
Are
you married or in a relationship? No, I’m neither married nor in a relationship.
Why?
I think I have
been more focused on my business.
What
can you say about African fashion?
We are evolving, and we are doing great works already.
Gone are the days when people relegate African fashion. In recent time, it’s
glaring that African fashion has created a niche for itself in the global world
and people cannot help but embrace it.
What
advice do you have for people who wish to go into this line of business?
You need to be ready for the worse and at the same time
ready for the best. It will go bad but it will always get better provided you
have passion, you need to have serious passion, believe in yourself and also
believe in God. Then you should know that it’s not only about the name but the
quality, the name can only give your clients but cannot retain them, but
quality can.
Leave
a message for your fans
I love you all and I will always do, without you there is
no Push. Please surge your patronage and I promise not to let you down as I
will always give you the best. Thank you, I am
