The marketplace has been flooded with furniture companies, but not every firm meet customer needs.
Most of these companies import furniture from outside the country, resulting in lacklustre quality and unaffordable prices for most local Malawians.
An entrepreneur Steve Edward Dzoole has stood out by establishing a company selling top-of-the-range interior and exterior furniture.
His company, Furniture Solution, produces customised furniture, offers furniture maintenance and refurbishment services.
“We can do almost anything. Some of our services include making all household, office and school furniture, primarily on a bespoke basis. We believe that every individual is unique and we aim to reflect that uniqueness in their lifestyle,” he said.
Dzoole, a technical teacher at Bwaila Secondary School in Lilongwe, did not envision himself in the field of carpentry and furniture, he recalls.
“In 2012, when I was settling in Likuni, I wanted a couch. However, the options available in furniture stores didn’t impress me. I desired something with my features.
He said: “I approached one company, but they insisted that the design I wanted could only be a two-seater. Determined, I mobilised resources and designed it myself.
“From there, I began crafting my own furniture pieces for personal use. Soon, friends started requesting items like beds and television stands, marking the start of my venture.”
After opening the workshop in Likuni, opposite Likuni Girls Primary School and displaying their products, demand surged in the area and surrounding areas.
“Subsequently, we began advertising our products on social media platforms, especially Facebook and WhatsApp, where we gained significant recognition.”
Dzoole, a graduate of Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) with a bachelor of arts in technical education, hails from Traditional Authority Mazengera in Lilongwe. He expresses satisfaction with the progress of his business.
“Our growth is promising, and we have heavily invested in machinery. Although we have not acquired everything we desire, we refuse to compromise on quality,” he asserts.
Despite encountering challenges, including temporarily closing the workshop in 2018 due to schooling commitments, Dzoole remains resilient.
“When I returned to school in 2018, we had to close the workshop, but we restarted in 2021. We have since recovered those losses and gained new clients.”
He acknowledges that one of the major setbacks in his business is the preference for imported furniture over locally-made products.
“The influx of imported furniture affects not only us but also others. People need to understand that importing locally available items deprives us of income.
“If someone purchases a chair from us for K200,000, it benefits the local economy. However, if that money goes to China, it doesn’t circulate back to us,” he explains.
Looking to the future, Dzoole plans to expand his business and focus on improving school furniture, given the poor status of many schools’ furnishings.
He, however, offers advice to young entrepreneurs, encouraging them to pursue their interest.
“I encourage them to take the first step. Studying and understanding the technical aspects of your business are essential. Even if formal education is not possible, online platforms or learning from artisans in your area can be invaluable. Passion will take you far and money is just a bonus—it doesn’t come immediately,” he advises.
Christopher Bamusi, one of the customers expressed satisfaction with the products.
Another customer Rosalina Kamwana said: “I am delighted with them, excellent quality and great value for money. Everyone who comes to the house comments on the chair, delivery was prompt and on time and I highly recommended.”
