By Noncedo Shabangu (Intern)
MBABANE- Linda Dube never waited for the perfect moment, he started with what he had. Based in Malindza, he began selling suits in 2021, driven by passion and belief in himself. Today, he runs a growing online suit business as well as a salon and barber shop, showing that hard work and vision can build real success.
Linda Dube’s early steps in business were marked by trial and error. He first got involved in a clothing brand called Vigour, then later started another one called Dream Chaser, which received strong support. However, after his Facebook account was hacked, he lost motivation and eventually let both ventures fade. Still, the experience taught him a valuable lesson: while setbacks may slow you down, they can’t take away your passion or your potential to try again.
After finishing school in 2021, Dube spotted a new opportunity. He realised that prom dances were becoming popular in many Eswatini schools, especially for Form 5 students. Seeing a gap, he decided to start selling suits. Instead of waiting for customers to come to him, he took his business directly to them, visiting schools to showcase his products and build trust. “That strategy really helped me grow,” he says. “Even this coming August, I’m going back to schools to promote my suits.”
One thing Linda has learned over time is to protect both himself and his customers. After being let down by clients who placed orders and disappeared without paying, he started requesting a 50% deposit before processing any orders. “It’s not about being difficult,” he explains. “It’s about making sure we both commit to the process.” He also makes it a point to communicate clearly, if there’s a delay or an item is out of stock, he informs the customer right away and offers alternatives. For Linda, maintaining trust is just as important as making a sale.
Linda is not only selling suits but also running Angels Touch, a salon and barber shop he manages with a partner, located opposite Lalusase Bottle Store in Malindza. Though the shop is still new, it’s already attracting customers with its clean setup and quality service. “People are impressed when they walk in,” Dube says. “Customers are coming, and business is growing.”
Linda is quick to acknowledge those who helped him along the way. “I’m really grateful to my sister, she supported me when I was just getting started,” he shares. He also thanks his customers for their trust and support, saying their encouragement keeps him motivated to keep growing his business.
To young people trying to build something of their own, Linda offers honest advice, don’t give up too easily. “There are days when you’ll post your work online and barely get ten likes,” he says. “You might not even get a single customer. But don’t let that stop you. Stay consistent. Those ten likes can turn into a million if you keep going.” For him, every business journey starts small and the key is to remember why you began in the first place.
(Courtesy Pics)
