Why did a luxury watch manufacturer face ridicule on his road to success?
Jul 29, 2024
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Anthony Dzamefe, founder of Caveman Watches, shares his inspiring journey from working as an airport greeter to becoming a renowned luxury watchmaker, despite facing skepticism and ridicule. He discusses the challenge of changing perceptions about African craftsmanship, revealing how luxury is often tied to foreign brands. Dzamefe recounts the struggle of starting a local business in Ghana, where his first clients rejected his watches upon learning their origin. Today, he proudly serves high-profile celebrities, including Beyoncé.
Antony Dzamefe's journey exemplifies resilience, transforming ridicule into motivation and ultimately establishing Caveman Watches as a luxury brand in Ghana.
The podcast highlights the challenge of changing perceptions around African craftsmanship, showcasing that quality luxury goods can originate from the continent.
Deep dives
The Journey to Luxury Watchmaking
Antony Jamefy's journey from a low-paying airport job to becoming a luxury watchmaker is marked by resilience and determination. Initially discouraged in his bureaucratic role, he lost confidence but found inspiration in a book about business, prompting a bold decision to pursue a different path. By hawking inexpensive watches on the streets of Accra, he began to develop his business acumen despite facing ridicule from others. This experience not only reignited his passion but also laid the groundwork for his future success in watchmaking, allowing him to explore new opportunities in a field he was initially unfamiliar with.
Challenging Perceptions of African Luxury
Jamefy highlights a significant mindset challenge in Africa, where luxury goods are often seen as synonymous with international brands. He emphasizes the potential for African craftsmanship to create high-end products that can compete globally, having experienced skepticism himself about his own brand. His success with Caveman Watches, which has caught the attention of celebrities like Beyoncé, demonstrates that African brands can deliver quality that matches international standards. This shift in perception is vital for fostering local industries and encouraging pride in African-made products.
Building a Brand with Integrity
Jamefy stresses the importance of quality in building his watch brand, advocating against the common tendency to cut corners for profit. He acknowledges the skepticism customers may hold towards African products, noting that he must exceed expectations to gain trust. By prioritizing craftsmanship and maintaining a focused identity, he aims to change the narrative surrounding African luxury goods. His commitment to excellence not only aims to elevate his brand but also serves as a model for other African entrepreneurs in the manufacturing sector.
“A lot of people were mocking me. People would send pictures to my mum saying ‘is there something wrong with your son? We’ve seen him in traffic hawking watches’”.
For a lot of African people, luxury goods are synonymous with international brands. They believe that high-quality products can only come from abroad.
Today in the podcast, Africa Daily’s Muthoni Muchiri speaks with Anthony Dzamefe of Caveman Watches who quit his job working for a hotel collecting tourists to set up his own business. He ended up learning how to fix and then make quality watches – and now counts celebrities like Beyoncé and Angelique Kidjo amongst his clientele.
But at the beginning he says customers would reject his watches after they found out they were made in Ghana.
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