Bathu: The urban shoe brand telling the African story

Theo Baloyi is the 28-year-old founder of “Africa’s premium sneaker brand”, Bathu. With his accounting background, he worked in South Africa and the Middle East for 5 years prior to starting the brand. Theo Baloyi is the 28-year-old founder of “Africa’s premium sneaker brand”, Bathu. With his accounting background, he worked in South Africa and the Middle East for 5 years prior to starting the brand. The business is about three and a half years old at present. While Theo was a BCom student, he and friend would sell perfumes door-to-door on the streets of Alexandra. “I’d say that’s where the entrepreneurial bug bit me,” he says. He was 19 and in his second year of university.

Three digital and social media market research hacks for your startup

One of the many reasons for this failure rate is the lack of research into desired markets, the lack of customer knowledge and understanding. In reality, your customers will happily reward you when you prove to understand and know them. Small business failure rates are said to be approximately 70% - 80% within the first five years, which is enough to scare anyone from even starting, but entrepreneurs are unique because they dive deep into risky terrain without thinking twice about it. One of the many reasons for this failure rate is the lack of research into desired markets, the lack of customer knowledge and understanding. In reality, your customers will happily reward you when you prove to understand and know them.