Bontle Riet was quickly making strides as a radio presenter but she decided to quit her job after she saw a gap in women's shoe market and that birthed her business venture.
Riet, 25, from Pretoria North, is the founder and owner of Bontle Riet Footwear – a proudly South African female shoe brand that sells high heels only for now.
The former presenter of Vaaltar FM community radio station in Taung, North West, told Sowetan she left her job so that she could focus more on helping SA women buy local brands from her company.
"I noticed that everyone is making and selling sneakers. There was no SA shoe brand for women. Women buy shoe brands from abroad. So I asked myself why can't I capture the market and make something for SA women," said Riet. She said she has always loved high heels from a young age.
"I would wear my mother's high-heeled shoes. I realised that there is no better feeling than stepping into heels. You feel like you have conquered something," said Riet.
The young mother of a two year-old girl said she wants her footwear company to benefit her child and other women
Bontle Riet Footwear was officially launched on April 6. It has four employees. It markets itself through its website and social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp.
The brand sells a pair of high heels at R1,599. A pair is available in four colours – amari rose gold, wine red, emerald green and pearl black. The colours are from the Bontle Riet Amari Collection.
