Getting endorsements by the movers and shakers in society for a brand does not come on a silver platter. Therefore, a very public, resounding and unequivocal endorsement by no less a personality than a sitting President for a local brand is something every entrepreneur would cherish for life.
The benefactor of this magnificent endorsement is Horseman Shoes ? a local footwear manufacturer that uses authentic leather from Italy, France and parts of Asia.The young entrepreneur behind the Horseman Shoes brand is Tonyi Senayah. The Mirror had a chat with him at his showroom in Kokomlemle, a suburb of Accra.
Horseman Shoes
In the showroom were an astonishingly wide variety of footwear for both ladies and gentlemen suitable for both formal and informal occasions. They all had distinct heels and soles and an elegant feel to them.
Asked to explain how the name ?Horseman? came about, Tonyi, as he is affectionately called, said that he derived inspiration from the stamina of the horse and the manner in which it runs swiftly and gracefully to its final destination, powered by enormous strength.
?This is how I see my brand. Horseman shoes are made with genuine leather. They, therefore, have the ability to withstand our kind of weather and will certainly give the buyer the desired satisfaction. Horseman shoes are elegant yet durable, and are made with the local environment in mind,? he further explained.
One thing that makes his shoes stand out is the fine finishing which is a major problem for most locally-made brands. Some of the shoes on display in his showroom include the Oxford Shoe which originated from Scotland and Ireland. They are laced shoes characterised by shoelace eyelet tabs that are stitched underneath the vamp.
Another range of shoes on display was the monk strap shoes that have no lacing, but are closed by a buckle and a strap. There were also the Derby shoes which have the shoelace eyelet tabs sewn on top of a single-piece vamp. They can simply be described as ?business casual.?
The Brogues shoes which have perforations around them for decorative purposes and the popular loafers and moccasins which are slip-on shoes and are guys? favourites were all on display.
Horseman Shoes also manufactures uniform sandals for senior high schools and have produced for schools such as Mfantsipim, Accra Girls Senior High School, St Mary’s Senior High School and other schools.
Manufacturing journey
Like many young graduates with aspirations, Tonyi had always wanted to work with an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) and also build a vocational institute one day where he would deliver professional training to various artisans.
However, one day he bought a locally-made shoe from Abeka Lapaz, a suburb of Accra. The shoe was so nicely made that ?it attracted a friend of mine who works at Price Water House Coopers, so I acquired a pair for him. Later his colleagues also loved the shoes so I decided to personally take the orders and deliver to them since they didn?t have the time to go about searching for quality shoes,? he recounted.
With the interest growing bigger by the day, Tonyi informed his dad about it and they decided to headhunt experts in shoemaking and supply them with the best leather to manufacture for clients while insisting on fine finishing.
In 2010, he set up his first workshop in Kumasi to produce quality but affordable shoes. Today, his clientele ranges from young professionals, chief executive officers, and ministers of state, among others, including of course the President of the Republic.
?One significant thing about our shoes is that we often do not use leather soles because they cannot survive the rigours of our terrain. Instead, we use rubber soles which are more suitable for our environment as most young people love to walk.
?That notwithstanding, we also produce leather-soled shoes for those who walk less and often drive to their destinations,? he said.
Besides, for Horseman Shoes, clients can pay a little extra for courier service and have their shoes delivered at their doorstep. Shoes can also be picked up after a maximum of three weeks after ordering.
Presidential endorsement
So how did Horseman Shoes catch the eyes of President Mahama? Tonyi was one of the few young people among the business community invited for a business discussion with the President at the Peduase Lodge in the Eastern Region earlier this year.
After a series of discussions and presentations by various businessmen, Tonyi told the President at the end of his presentation that:?Your Excellency, you have to please wear Horseman Shoes,? which the president gladly accepted to do.
For Tonyi, it was just sheer business exuberance that made him say that. He was, however, shocked to be called by a member of the President?s team, enquiring if he was indeed manufacturing the President?s shoes because the President intended to wear a pair to Parliament House for the State of the Nation Address in February.
?Immediately, I had to contact my leather suppliers for the best leather and within three days we worked around the clock to manufacture five pairs of different types of Oxford Shoes.
?Three were for the President and two for the Vice-President. I made sure my guys were tight-lipped for security reasons and kept our fingers crossed to see the President in Parliament House in Horseman shoes made in Ghana ,? he said grinning.
Tonyi recalled that while in Parliament House for the State of the Nation Address, he had butterflies in his stomach ?simply because I wasn?t sure whether the President was wearing the shoes or not. Besides, I couldn?t also see his feet from where I was sitting.
?Just when the President was about to end his address he started acknowledging some of the great Ghanaian entrepreneurs and finally mentioned Horseman Shoes and further added that the shoes he was wearing that day were made by Horseman, daring incredulous listeners to follow him to the Speaker?s Chamber to see for themselves.
?I nearly collapsed out of shock. Within 10 minutes, my mobile phone battery ran out due to several calls from friends and loved ones.?
He said he was really happy for the young men he worked with because ?they rightly deserved every bit of the praise.”
Family/educational background
Though Tonyi was born and bred in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, his dad comes from Anfoega in the Volta Region while his mum hails from Akyem Abomosu in the Eastern Region. He had his primary education at the SEA Preparatory School in Kumasi and secondary education at the Prempeh College.
He had his undergraduate studies at the University of Ghana, where he graduated with a degree in Sociology.
Tonyi, who is a devoted Catholic, was the Junior Common Room (JCR) President of Mensah Sabah Hall, and finally became the Student Representative Council (SRC) President of the university for the 2006/2007 academic year.
He is married to Desiree Aba Mensah who is currently schooling in the US and with whom he has a son called Mandela Seyram Senayah.
He loves reading and hanging out with interesting people with whom he can share ideas. Among his many favourite books are ? A Long Walk To Freedom? by Nelson Mandela and Jeffrey Archer’s ?Kane & Abel.?
For football, he talks passionately about Hearts of Oak as his favourite club and AC Milan.
Source-Graphic
