Top of the Week to you Flexxers! How pumped are you to hear from our latest entrepreneur? In our latest episode of the Flexxpreneur series, we had a one-on-one with Nnanna Charles Chinonso, the Creative Director of C. CHARLES SHOES.
He gave us the story of C. CHARLES SHOES journey and how much he has grown in the past few years.
Let’s meet Charles!
1. Let’s meet you (Your name and what you do)
My name is Nnanna Charles Chinonso. I am the Creative Director of C. CHARLES SHOES. C. Charles Shoes is a contemporary shoe brand that infuses creativity and artistic designs into a modern-day trend. We work with expert artisans to produce the best quality of footwear, using locally sourced materials.
2. How long have you been doing this?
Two years
3. What inspired you to go into the business?
I have a great passion for business and fashion, which was influenced by my upbringing. During my university days, I did a couple of buying and selling of fashion-related items before I discovered my purpose. I launched my shoe brand, and it has been a fantastic journey so far. I love and enjoy what I do, and I am on the path to building a legacy.
4. What was your highest and lowest point since you started today?
My lowest point was in February 2019, when I travelled to Lagos with my crew to have an editorial shoot with an A-list artist. We got to Lagos after a stressful journey only to be informed that the artist travelled out of the country for an emergency. I felt so disappointed, but we all cheered up and took it as part of the sacrifices to pay as entrepreneurs.
My highest point was last year festive period. We gave out free shoes to some orphans in Bodija axis of Ibadan. It gave me so much joy to see how happy they were. We imparted them by also offering some talks on entrepreneurship. I intend to make it an annual project.
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5. What do you aim to achieve in the next 12 months concerning your business
I look forward to having a bigger workspace for our production activities and having a showroom.
This will help me employ more craftsmen and contribute significantly to the Nigeria economy. A showroom will make the brand a ready-to-wear brand and not just a bespoke brand.
6. What are your short and long term goals
My short term goals for C. Charles Shoes is to set up a structure that can encompass mass production, reduce unemployment and promote youth empowerment. Also, I intend launching a new leather line.
My long term goals for C. Charles shoes is to become a well-known brand in Africa and globally through leveraging international fashion shows.
7. Which individuals do you draw inspirations from and why?
Lolu Esq inspires me a lot. I love how he blends personal and product branding in his shoe brand. I intend creating a strong personal and shoe brand with time.
8. How do you unwind?
During my leisure time, I try to read new books, see a movie or hangout.
9. What advice would you give your fellow Flexxers who are on this path?
I will advise my fellow flexxers to follow their passion. If you are not passionate about what you do, you will not withstand the storms of entrepreneurship. Also, try as much as possible to connect with the right friends and read good books.
– What are your social media handles?
Instagram – @ccharles_wears
Facebook – @c.charlewears
Twitter – @ccharleswears
Anything else you’d like us to know about you?
I love travelling and making new friends.
1. To participate in FCMB’s Flexxpreneur Series (“the Initiative”), participants must be aged between 18-30 years and have a running business.
– Duly signed Flexxpreneur Agreement
4. FCMB reserves the right to edit received interviews for grammatical correctness and suitability for its audience.
5. Submission of details does not guarantee that a participant will be featured in the Initiative. FCMB reserves the exclusive right to select those to feature and when they would be featured.
6. Participants will have their interview and products/services showcased on one or more of FCMB’s social media platforms, its Flexxzone WhatsApp groups and its microsite flexxzone.fcmb.com
7. FCMB’s decision in respect of all matters to have to do with The Initiative will be final and binding on all participants.
8. There is no fixed time as to when participant’s interview/pictures will be used. FCMB will, however, make every effort to notify participants one week before featuring their entries
9. FCMB reserves the right to use all creative assets including participant pictures, products/services image, interview and other materials related to The Initiative in promotion of its Flexx product.
10. By entering this initiative, participants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
Nice read, Congratulations Charles…
The World is getting ready to have you…