From football field to fashion entrepreneur
According to a recent study of over 2 million businesses by GoDaddy, the COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to a boom in young entrepreneurs. The percentage of microbusiness owners under 35 has doubled since the start of the pandemic.
But what’s out there to support budding young business owners to turn their bright ideas into a viable business?
Do enough young people understand that entrepreneurialism is a genuinely viable career option?
These are some of the questions the Young Entrepreneurs Southend (YES) network hopes to answer.
The YES network is championed by Ben Cluett, Southend on Sea City Council’s Business Navigator, and Takondwa Maosa, footballer and co-owner of fashion retail brand Divided London.
The network has been established to networking and funded support for aspiring and established young entrepreneurs in Southend.
The same study concluded that the more microbusinesses there are in a community, the better the job prospects and finances of the people that live there, so it’s clear that if we support entrepreneurs of all ages and all stages it has far reaching benefits for Southend on Sea.
We sat down with Takondwa to understand a bit more about his business journey and how he hopes to inspire other young people like him through the YES network.
Takondwa Maosa is 22 years old and one half of thriving fashion retail brand, Divided London, along with his business partner, Daniel Fairhead.
Takondwa is also a semi-professional footballer and has represented Malawi at a national level.
Takondwa’s journey to entrepreneurialism
We asked Takondwa to tell us a bit about himself and his personal journey so far:
Takondwa went to school in Southend, which is where he met business partner, Daniel Fairhead, and did his GCSEs before completing A-levels at David Game College in London on a scholarship.
Despite not studying business formally, Takondwa has always been interested in entrepreneurship.
Takondwa explained the influence football has had on his life and journey into setting up his own business:
“My mum always tried to instil good manners in me and encouraged me to be helpful, even little things like holding doors open, helping people out and stuff like that.
“I was always fairly quiet at school but when I was at Southend’s Football Academy I was given a Jack Petchey Award. I realised that people notice these things.
“Football has influenced my entrepreneurial journey because it’s kind of a weird career! It’s helped me to understand you get out what you put in, it’s helped my confidence and resilience, and deal with rejection!”
Takondwa clearly understands how subjective business can be and to stay focussed on your goals (no pun intended)!
We were interested to know what inspired Takondwa to start his own company, especially in the fashion industry. Divided London offers a range of high-quality, sportswear and accessories. Takondwa and Daniel are really clear about the brand and carefully plan all aspects of the business together.
So, why Divided London?
“My business partner and I noticed a gap in the market for clothing that not only looked good but also had meaning behind it.
“We wanted to create something unique and meaningful, inspired by our own experiences and values.
“We should celebrate differences.
“Daniel and I have complementary skills and personalities.
“We bounce ideas off of each other and respect each others’ opinions when we disagree.
“Our partnership is based on honesty and ‘tough love’, which has helped us to navigate challenges and grow the business together.”
With the inaugural YES network event coming up, we asked Takondwa what advice he would have for young entrepreneurs who are just starting out:
“First and foremost, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
“Whether it’s seeking advice from mentors or reaching out to potential collaborators, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
“Additionally, don’t downplay your ideas – embrace your uniqueness and find ways to stand out in your market.”
"Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who push you to be your best self. That's why events like the YES Network are so valuable - they provide support, resources, and opportunities for growth.”
What to expect from the YES network event
Takondwa explained:
“Attending the YES network event is a fantastic opportunity to connect with other entrepreneurs, learn new skills, and gain access to support and resources that can help turn your ideas into reality.
“Whether you’re looking for funding, mentorship, or simply inspiration, the YES network has something to offer.
“Plus, being surrounded by motivated individuals who share your passion for entrepreneurship is incredibly empowering. So, I encourage all young entrepreneurs to take that first step and join us at the event!”
The inaugural YES network event is on Friday 16th February at Launchpad Southend.
The event is open to all young entrepreneurs at whatever stage of their business they’re at, from idea to start-up.
The YES network promises to be an open, friendly platform to support young people to take inspiration from other entrepreneurs, access skills and learning to help them get their business off the ground and grow their network.
Tickets are available now: YES (Young Entrepreneurs Southend) Network.
