Entrepreneur hopeful of securing deal in Africa

Jul 2 2010 by Karen Dent, The Journal

A NORTH East-based sportswear entrepreneur has just returned from a trade mission to his home continent of Africa and is confident of securing a major deal with an African government.

Will N’Kombo set up his Calool sportswear brand – which means “big, powerful cat” – in Gateshead two years ago and is now venturing into the overseas market.

And he says the trip to Africa, including South Africa, Kenya and his native Democratic Republic of Congo, now looks set to bring additional work to the North East thanks to business he expecting as a result.

Mr N’Kombo said: “There is a big order coming from one African government. It will be a big opportunity for us. I will find out shortly.

“People are really keen about the product, especially because it’s a British brand.

“They want to work with us, and it will also help us to build the business in the UK market.

“We are hoping to create four to six jobs, especially with the African market. They will be customer service roles.”

Calool was set up as a one-man band by Mr N’Kombo, who studied business in Germany before coming to the North East to take an MBA at Sunderland University.

He left his job at IBM in Longbenton two years ago to start the business and now has four staff.

The company, which sources its clothing from manufacturers in China, Morocco and Turkey, sells online but plans to move into the high street.

“We are planning to have a shop in the Metrocentre and Fenwick and Sportsworld are interested in selling Calool,” said Mr N’Kombo.

He is also working with Gateshead Council to raise the company’s profile and has started a project with business students at Churchill Community School in Wallsend.

“We are planning to involve the students in working with us,” said Mr N’Kombo.

“Some of them are already working on posters. We want to make it visible in the community.”

Despite launching in the economic downturn, Mr N’Kombo says he is happy. “It’s hard because of the credit crunch but we can’t complain,” he said.