What Being Part of Woolworths Youth Makers Means for Hide and Suede
When I started Hide and Suede, I had one vision: to create timeless leather goods that celebrate craftsmanship, tell meaningful stories, and proudly represent South African design.
Today, that vision has taken another exciting step forward through the Woolworths Youth Makers Programme.
Being selected as one of the Youth Makers is more than an opportunity to sell our products in Woolworths stores—it's a recognition of the passion, resilience, and dedication that goes into every piece we make.
What is Youth Makers?
The Woolworths Youth Makers Programme is an initiative that supports emerging South African entrepreneurs by providing business development opportunities, mentorship, funding, and access to one of the country's most respected retail platforms.
The programme empowers small businesses by helping them strengthen their operations, refine their products, and prepare for sustainable growth within the retail industry.
For many entrepreneurs, it becomes the bridge between running a small business and building a nationally recognised brand.
Our Journey
Hide and Suede began with a simple belief: quality should never go out of style.
Every wallet, apron, laptop sleeve, bag, and gifting piece we create is handcrafted using premium leather, designed to age beautifully and accompany its owner for years to come.
Like many small businesses, our journey has been filled with lessons, challenges, and countless hours spent perfecting our craft. Every order, every market, and every customer has helped shape who we are today.
Being welcomed into the Youth Makers Programme is a reminder that consistency, craftsmanship, and purpose matter.
More Than Retail
The programme has already provided valuable mentorship that is helping us think beyond making products.
We're learning how to build stronger systems, improve our customer experience, develop products for retail environments, and position Hide and Suede for long-term growth.
These lessons are helping us become a stronger business while staying true to what makes our brand unique—handcrafted quality and thoughtful design.
Meeting You in Store
One of the highlights of this journey has been participating in the Youth Makers showcase weekends inside Woolworths stores.
Meeting customers face-to-face, sharing the stories behind our products, and seeing people appreciate handcrafted leather has been incredibly rewarding.
Many customers discover us for the first time during these events, while others become part of the Hide and Suede family by returning to support us again.
Those conversations remind us that people don't just buy leather products—they invest in craftsmanship, authenticity, and products made with intention.
Looking Ahead
Youth Makers is not the destination—it's another important milestone in our journey.
Our vision is to continue creating exceptional leather goods while expanding our gifting collections, developing products for retailers, and showcasing South African craftsmanship to a wider audience.
Every purchase, every recommendation, and every word of encouragement helps make that vision possible.
Thank you for being part of our story.
We look forward to crafting pieces that become part of yours.
Design is Character.