Sewing skills, creativity pay off

Business

By JACKLYN SIRIAS
ONE does not have to attend university to start a business and support one’s family, an informal business operator says.
Joansan Markdama, 38, from Chimbu told The National that the knowledge of sewing and his initiative of creating ideas had driven his shoe-mending business.
Markdama sits next to the Boroko Fire station in Port Moresby from Monday to Saturday mending shoes.
He also resell shoes he bought from second-hand shops around the city.
He produces other handmade leather items such as wallets and belts, repairs zippers and watch straps.
He had previously worked in several companies as a tradesman, a builder and salesman for some years.
Markdama decided to leave because he saw that there was more money in the informal sector.
“I earn between K100 and K300 everyday depending on the number of customers and the quality of shoes they bring to mend,” he said.
“The money I make from shoe repairing is more than what I use to earn when I was working in the formal sector.
Markdama plans to expand his business.
“I have written proposals to the National Capital District Governor. I am still awaiting for a response,” he said.
He hopes that he and his colleagues selling items along the streets will be provided a proper place to conduct their business.
“We need a good set-up to do our marketing,” he said.