Shekudo: From Lagos With Love
What if a single pair of shoes could carry an entire culture, step by step, story by story?
Some footwear is more than fashion. It’s identity. It’s heritage. And in the case of Shekudo, it’s a mission wrapped in style.
Shekudo is not your average fashion brand. It started as a spark, a desire to bring something beautiful, handmade, and deeply rooted in culture to the world. What began in the heart of Lagos is now walking into closets around the globe. But more importantly? It’s stepping into hearts, inspiring everyday dreamers to become daring doers. And if you’re thinking about launching your own brand or business, you might just want to sit down for this one.
This is a story about how one woman turned a dream into a globally recognized fashion label and how you can, too.
The Courage To Begin
Starting a business isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about having the courage to ask the right questions. Akudo Iheakanwa, the Nigerian Australian founder of Shekudo, didn’t start out in fashion. She left a comfortable corporate career behind with steady paychecks, office coffee, and predictable routines for something uncertain, raw, and incredibly meaningful.
Shekudo was born from a simple but powerful idea: revive traditional Nigerian craftsmanship and fuse it with contemporary fashion. That’s it. No grand investors. No business plan polished to perfection. Just a woman, a vision, and a whole lot of faith.
You don’t need millions to start. You just need your “why.”
Building From the Ground Up (Literally)
In 2017, Akudo relocated to Lagos to start building Shekudo’s workshop. It wasn’t glamorous. She worked with local cobblers, seamstresses, and artisans. Many of them had never crafted fashion pieces for global audiences before.
She sourced every component locally. From hand-loomed aso oke fabric to raw leather, everything screamed authentic. Every sandal, mule, and slide was a love letter to Nigeria. And because every item was handmade in small batches, Shekudo naturally embraced the world of slow fashion.
Was it easy? Of course not. Nigeria’s power supply issues and lack of large scale production meant delays and unpredictability. But Akudo turned that into an advantage. She didn’t hide the challenges. Instead, she owned them. The “imperfections” became part of the story.
When Passion Meets Strategy
Shekudo didn’t just sit pretty and wait for buyers to show up. The brand adopted a direct to consumer strategy, selling primarily through its online store. No middlemen. No gatekeepers.
Customers discovered Shekudo on Instagram, through word of mouth, and in features from Vogue Italia and Marie Claire. But here’s the magic: Akudo didn’t chase clout. She chased connection. Her audience included expat Africans, ethical fashion lovers, and everyday women wanting something meaningful. They felt seen.
This is where YOU come in. Whether you’re selling jewelry, digital art, or handmade soy candles, your audience isn’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for connection. Authenticity. A reason to believe in you.
Purpose With Process
Here’s the truth: creativity is half the battle. The other half is operations.
Shekudo mastered both. Akudo didn’t just create beautiful things. She found smart ways to get them into people’s hands. Partnering with shipping agents, she tackled the chaos of export paperwork. She worked with couriers like DHL and FedEx to ensure customers from Australia to Europe got their shoes in under a week.
Shekudo didn’t rely on giant warehouses. Instead, it stayed agile. Producing in small batches, sometimes to order. It made customers feel special. Every purchase was intentional, not impulsive.
And guess what? You can create that same magic.
Using tools like Salesloop, you can optimize every part of your store’s journey from the first click to post purchase delight. Pre purchase features help you upsell with subtlety and purpose, while post purchase features keep your customers engaged and coming back. Whether it’s recommending matching earrings to someone buying a necklace or offering a “thank you” discount after checkout, Salesloopmakes it seamless. Because running a soulful business shouldn’t mean struggling with the technical stuff.
Scaling Without Selling Out
As Shekudo grew, so did the temptations. Scale faster. Mass produce. Cut corners.
But Akudo said no. She kept production artisanal. She respected the pace of her craftsmen. She stocked some items in international boutiques, sure. But only when it made sense. Her focus stayed on quality, not quantity. On people, not profit.
That’s the kind of growth that lasts. And you? You can grow that way too. There’s a myth that you have to go “all in” by quitting your job, investing your savings, and hoping for the best. You don’t. Start small. Stay consistent. And most importantly? Stay you.
It’s Not Just Shoes. It’s A Movement.
Today, Shekudo is more than a fashion brand. Shekudo represents a movement. It serves as a reminder that culture isn’t something to be hidden. Culture is something to be celebrated and shared.
When customers slip into a pair of Shekudo slides, they’re not just wearing fashion. They’re wearing heritage. They’re part of a global story that began in a Lagos workshop.
And isn’t that what every entrepreneur dreams of? Creating something that matters. Something that lives beyond algorithms and analytics.
Your Turn To Step Forward
What if Akudo never took that leap? What if she stayed in that safe corporate job, forever wondering “what if”?
You wouldn’t be reading this story.
Here’s the thing. The world doesn’t need more perfect businesses. It needs more passionate people. People like you. People with ideas, heart, and the guts to start.
So maybe today is the day. The day you stop overthinking and start doing. The day you take one tiny, terrifying step toward that thing that’s been living in your heart.
Whether it’s a fashion brand, a bakery, or a coaching service, your version of Shekudo is waiting.
And when you’re ready to turn browsers into buyers, remember tools like Salesloopare there to support you. With features that enhance your pre purchase and post purchase experience, you can focus on your passion while the tech handles the rest.
Because your dream? It deserves more than a chance.
It deserves a plan.
So lace up. Step forward.
The world is waiting.
And you? You’re just getting started.
FAQs
1. What is Shekudo?
Shekudo is a Nigerian fashion brand that creates handmade women’s shoes and accessories using local materials and traditional techniques. It blends culture with modern design and focuses on ethical, slow fashion.
2. Who founded Shekudo?
Shekudo was founded by Akudo Iheakanwa, a Nigerian-Australian designer who left her corporate job to celebrate Nigerian craftsmanship through fashion.
3. Where is Shekudo based?
Shekudo is based in Lagos, Nigeria. All its production is done locally with the help of Nigerian artisans.
4. What makes Shekudo different?
Shekudo combines Nigerian textiles and craftsmanship with a global design vision. The brand supports local artisans and produces in small batches, making every product meaningful and unique.
5. How does Shekudo handle global shipping?
Shekudo ships worldwide using trusted couriers like DHL and FedEx. Despite being based in Nigeria, customers usually receive their orders in under a week.
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