Rapelang Molomo, an entrepreneur from Lesotho, established Demol Vintage Boutique & Styling Studio, an online clothing and image architectural company, using innovative fashion solutions.
Rapelang’s company, which is based in South Africa, sells vintage clothing while also providing styling and image architectural services
“We style people for various purposes: photoshoots, corporate events, red-carpet events, honeymoons, vacations, funerals and other occasions. We realized that people already have enough clothes, however, they always want to try something different, so people can be able to try something different without buying new clothing,” says Rapelang.
“This highly contributes to sustainability in fashion. Most importantly, we intend to help people feel good and achieve the look they want, and have a sense of confidence. Luxury brands like Chanel cannot be afforded by everyone.
“However, with our vintage and second hand clothing, people can have clothing of great value by either buying or hiring. We work with both brands and individuals,” he adds.
From Sociology to Fashion
Born and raised in Lesotho, Rapelang attained a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He admits that while his current entrepreneurship activities have nothing to do with what he studied, the time he spent at university was not a lost cause.
“Sociology is far from what I do. I am in the fashion industry. However, Sociology has assisted me in many ways in terms of research, particularly market research and understanding understanding people and how they live in society, marketing and the Digital world.
“Entrepreneurship was never my passion or something I thought I would end in, but I have always been passionate about fashion and the storytelling from an image or design. Fashion, design and art – that is what I live for.
“And now when I look back and review, I realize I have always had an aura to make clothing something more when I wear them. So I thought I could utilize what I have to help someone out there to make the best and feel good with what they have got or what they can afford,” Rapelang says.
Changing Fashion Trends
With a small team that also includes three employees – an IT specialist, assistant as well as an accountant – Rapalemg is growing Demol into a force to reckon with in the South African fashion industry.
However, he is well aware that the fashion industry – perhaps more than the rest of the others – is characterized by changing trends and fluctuating clothing preferences. To stay relevant, Rapelang is always ready to embrace change.
“I believe every business needs to reinvent and adapt to the rapid changing world of internet and trends. However, the business should never lose its authenticity. The fashion industry has changed drastically and fashion evolves real quick. Now there is AI and robots and we can always learn to use new technology and utilize it in the business, while staying true to our vision and identity.”
Planning and Selling
Over the years, Rapelang has learnt from his mistakes and this has given him insights on how to make his business more effective in terms of serving clients more effectively and growing their brand.
“When I started, I spend so much time in planning and making sure that my office looked good, and I forgot to do the actual job which is to sell. And so I learnt that every person in business is here to sell and not plan.
“Planning is crucial and makes our job easier. However, we get stuck in planning that we actually forget what business is about. At the end of the day we have to market the business and sell. I learnt nothing from planning, but learnt valuable lessons from doing (selling).
“Demol is at startup, however, I am glad that we are able to deliver quality services and clothing of good value to our clients because they are happy and satisfied. That is a major win for the company,” says Rapelang.
‘Respect Money’
Rapelang encourages those starting off on their entrepreneurship journey to start small and build their client base gradually.
“Prove to yourself that you can handle those two clients and they will grow. With one customer, working from a tiny office, using your cellphone because you do not have a laptop, you can still succeed.
“If you manage this, then you know you will handle more when the right time comes. God can only trust us with the bigger things when we are able to succeed at a smaller scale. Respect money, and make sure you track how you spend it. Money will only respect you when you respect it.
“I have learnt not only to trust myself more but to also be authentic in whatever I do. I have learnt to let God be God in my life and business. I failed over and over again, until I learnt that I am only an actor, and God is the director and has all the control,” Rapelang says.
