From selling charcoal to building online fashion brand

When 21-year-old entrepreneur Blessings Phiri started selling charcoal and tomatoes, he was driven by a simple belief: every successful business begins with a small step.

What started as a modest venture with limited capital has since grown into an online designer shoe business serving customers across Malawi, proving that determination and consistency can transform lives.

Phiri poses at his online shoe business

Phiri says his entrepreneurial journey began with products that were affordable and in constant demand.

“I chose charcoal and tomatoes because they were easy to start with and people needed them every day. I used the little money I had saved and made sure every profit was reinvested into the business instead of spending it,” he says.

Like many young entrepreneurs, his path was not without obstacles.

Lack of capital, difficulty finding customers and occasional losses threatened to derail his ambitions. There were days when sales were extremely low, but Phiri remained focused on his long-term vision.

Phiri packages an order for delivery through CTS Courie

“There were moments when business was slow and discouraging, but I never gave up because I believed better days would come. I used to take pictures during those difficult moments because I believed one day I would look back and appreciate how far I had come,” he says.

As the business gradually stabilised, Phiri realised that discipline, saving and learning from experience were helping him build capital and confidence.

That growth inspired him to venture into a larger and more sustainable business opportunity.

He noticed an increasing demand for quality and fashionable footwear, particularly through online shopping platforms, and decided to position himself in the growing digital marketplace.

Designer shoes supplied by Phiri’s online business.

“I saw that many people wanted stylish and trusted products. That is when I decided to focus on online designer shoes and provide products customers could rely on,” he says.

The transition was funded largely through profits generated from his earlier businesses.

Phiri says avoiding unnecessary spending and reinvesting every available kwacha back into the venture allowed him to expand operations steadily.

Today, the business serves customers from different parts of the country and continues to attract a growing client base.

One of the entrepreneur’s biggest achievements has been building customer trust and establishing a delivery partnership with courier company CTS Courier.

The collaboration has enabled the business to deliver products quickly and safely to customers nationwide.

Despite the progress, challenges remain.

Rising costs, increasing competition and growing customer demand for more expensive products continue to place pressure on the business’s financial resources.

“Many customers are now demanding products that require more capital to source. That means access to additional financing is becoming increasingly important for future growth,” says Phiri.

To remain competitive, he focuses on customer service, quality products and maintaining strong relationships with clients.

The business has not only improved his financial position but has also enabled him to support his family and contribute to his community.

Phiri says he currently assists more than 30 children with school supplies such as books, pens and food items.

“For me, success is not just about making money. It is also about helping others and showing young people that they can start small and achieve great things,” he says.

Looking ahead, Phiri envisions building one of Malawi’s biggest and most trusted online fashion businesses, opening physical shops and diversifying into farming.

He also hopes to create employment opportunities for others as the business expands.

Most importantly, he wants aspiring entrepreneurs to understand that humble beginnings should never define their future.

“Never despise small beginnings. Start with what you have, stay consistent, trust God and keep working hard. There is light at the end of the tunnel,” he says.

For Phiri, entrepreneurship is not merely about profits but about creating opportunities, inspiring others and building a legacy that extends beyond business.

“Our biggest achievements are still ahead of us,” he says.

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