18/06/2026
I once experienced rejection from a woman immediately after telling her I was a SHOEMAKER.
The kind look she gave me that day said, "Eehh... na this one?"
Deep down, I could tell disappointment had entered the chat.
I met her at a restaurant. Calm lady. Soft-spoken. Angelic character.
I whispered to myself, "Daniel, I think you've found the one."
I walked up to her.
"Hey, I'm Daniel. What's your name?"
"I'm Cecilia."
The conversation started flowing. I even told her:
"I came here for lunch, but somehow my attention has been forcefully divided. I noticed it might be coming from your direction, so I came to investigate."
She laughed.
Everything was moving smoothly until she asked the dangerous question:
"So Daniel, what do you do?"
With my full chest, I replied:
"I'm a shoemaker."
Hmmmm...
Baby girl changed temperature immediately.
No questions.
No curiosity.
No room for explanation.
She didn't want to know what kind of shoemaker.
Luxury shoemaker?
Brand owner?
Manufacturer?
Businessman?
A roadside Shoe-mender?
Nothing.
She just concluded the case. (This one na local man)
Okay oo!
I respected myself, returned to my table, and continued enjoying my rice, stew, and fried chicken.
Fast forward...
Since we exchanged contacts earlier, she started seeing my WhatsApp status.
She started seeing the kind of shoemaking she didn't allow me explain that day.
The branding.
The luxury.
The customers.
The business.
A few days later, a message entered:
"Hey Daniel, just checking up on you."
I smiled.
The script had changed.
But unfortunately, the movie had already ended.
Aura for aura.
I kept it moving.
Here's my point.
Shoemaking is still one of the most underrated businesses in Africa.
Many people still see it through the old lens of survival, local production, and struggle.
Meanwhile, some of us are building brands, creating jobs, exporting products, partnering across countries, and serving customers who appreciate quality and luxury.
The same shoemaking.
The difference is positioning.
People don't respect what you do because of the name.
They respect it because of the standard attached to it.
That's exactly why at BDM Luxury, we're committed to changing the narrative one pair at a time.
And trust me...
We're just getting started.
For those interested in bulk orders, dealership opportunities, or building a footwear business in your country, send me a direct message. WhatsApp 0704 298 5947
Let's discuss how to build something profitable together.
Now let me go and find what I'll eat for dinner before another Cecilia appears.
My name is Daniel, I run the best shoe brand in Enugu.
