Khakhane sisters on opening second fashion retailer

The pair, who co−own Khakhane Shoes, a fashion retailer, have just opened their second store at Okahandja.
“Grace and I have always had a passion for fashion. We have a different kind of style and a bit of similarities too. We started this as a means to share our love for fashion and to be able to let others (ladies) have the chance to look great and feel great”, Sonia tells The Namibian.

They both confess to being avid fashionistas and their previous experience in seemingly opposite career paths work quite well in their current ventures.
Grace’s experience as a model has given her insight into the world of fashion while Sonia’s many years as an employee in the banking sector brings some knowledge of business and finance to their partnership.
Starting their venture from humble beginnings, the sisters made their first sales through Facebook before going through the trials of finding retail space that suited their needs.

“We had to walk around in town every day to find this space. It wasn’t easy, we luckily got it by walking into Town Square and this space was available. We prayed a lot for it too,” Sonia says of how they clinched the prime spot for their first shop.
The sisters roped in another partner, whom they credit for giving them advice and mentoring them on how to successfully run Khakhane Shoes.

“We have learnt a lot from our partner. He helps us with a lot, our daily advice comes from him,” says Sonia.
They also admit that fashion comes more naturally as it’s something that they have loved from the time that they were children. “Fashion comes much easier for Grace and I, it’s something we got from our mother. She has taught us a lot of that, and she still dresses well today,” Sonia quips.

On the trials of successfully running a fashion retailer in an industry dominated by South African retailers, the Khakhanes say that they deal with obstacles such as theft and difficult customers.

They say they face these challenges because that’s what they signed up for and it’s part of any business operation.
For now, they are putting in work into their latest venture, the new shop situated at Okahandja. They also plan on expanding and setting up shop at the coast and the northern regions.

Their recipe for staying in the retail business and for growing is simple: “Work hard and stay focused always”.