Tell me about Veldskoen Shoes and Plakkies.
After watching the opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, Ross Zondagh and I began brainstorming what the athletes could have been wearing that would have better represented the vibrant spirit and style of SA.
We came up with an idea to add a pop of colour to the traditional veldskoen.
Our reimagined take on the beloved South African shoe captured the hearts of the nation. Soon after starting Veldskoen, we also started South African flip-flop brand Plakkie.
In less than six years, Veldskoen has grown from a small internet start-up to a global brand.
What is your role in the company and what do you think makes you good at what you do?
Our team is so talented and we are passionate about our values and culture. We do our best to shine a positive light on SA and my job is to make sure our team has every opportunity to do so.
After you were inspired by the 2016 Summer Olympics, your company supplied the shoes for the SA squad at the Tokyo event. What did it take to make that happen?
What a brilliant full circle moment for us! So much credit needs to go to the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) for supporting local business and making sure our athletes felt proud walking out in Tokyo.
Your perceived skill sets are not always aligned with your professional outcomes. Always be open to learning, celebrate naiveté and pursue professions that make you happy
— Nick Dreyer
It was an immensely special moment to be included in the uniform and so rewarding that South Africans loved the outfits.
Your company exports to 30 countries and has attracted investment from US entrepreneur and Shark Tank judge Mark Cuban. What do you think makes your shoes so popular?
There are a number of things folks love about Veldskoen, but critical is the shoe itself. The reason Marc [Cuban] and Ashton [Kutcher] took an interest in Veldskoen is because they loved the shoes and we see them wearing them regularly.
The authenticity of Veldskoen is clear, it’s a product that is made in SA and hopes to contribute positively to the South African story.
Veldskoen has always enjoyed a reputation for comfort and build quality. That, with the fact that it does not take itself too seriously, has made it a staple, a little bit like a good pair of jeans.
What did you want to be as a child?
Everything from a fighter pilot to a lawyer, I was all over the place. After school I realised I loved travelling and people, so I went into hospitality.
The last thing I could ever have imagined being was a shoe salesman and now I can’t imagine being anything else. I love it.
What did you study and how does that help you in the work you do today?
I studied music and hospitality management. Both were creative and fun, which made them relatively easy and enjoyable to pursue.
What is you go-to career advice?
Your perceived skill sets are not always aligned with your professional outcomes. Always be open to learning, celebrate naiveté and pursue professions that make you happy.
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