I was stuck in a miserable 8-5 rut, longing for something better, “something good”. I was inspired to make a few life changes in order to pursue a life worth loving and I knew this path would involve channelling my entrepreneurial spirit. Something Good Studio was the birth-child of these life changes – initially it started out as a small project which launched at a tiny art gallery in Johannesburg and has since then, transformed into a full-blown business with a good cause.
Interview with Zydia Botes founder of Something Good Studio
We caught up with founder Zydia Botes of Something Good Studio (SMTNG GOOD). SMTNG GOOD is a fresh, proudly South African art collaboration. Collaborating with local female illustrators/artists, SMTNG GOOD creates playful, limited edition art blankets / throws. Zydia shared with us the inspiration behind the brand, recent collaborations - the launch of her new sister label ROMARIA - and some of the challenges she has faced along the way.
What was the inspiration behind Something Good Studio?
Collaboration is at the core of your work - can you reveal any detail on your most recent collaboration(s)?
I get to work with the coolest people, it is a dream come true. A recent collaboration to look out for is with fashion designer, Carla Pinto from African Style Story. We’ve started a new knitwear brand together named ‘Romaria’. We have big things planned, watch out world.
What are the biggest hurdles you encounter in manufacturing you’re blankets?
This is by far the biggest challenge of the business. Jacquard knitting is a specialised industry, there are only a handful factories left in South Africa with the required knowledge and machinery necessary to translate our artworks into large scale blankets, using cotton. A technical example; our cotton blankets shrink at least 20% in the length after the first wash, the shrinkage has to be taken into consideration when programming our artworks into the machines – the end result should resemble the artwork provided. Finding a suitable local production partner with the patience and willingness to experiment has been very tricky.
How do you incorporate sustainability and ethics into your process?
The artworks are curated from local artists who make a positive impact with their work, the raw cotton material used to knit our products is sourced from local farmers who are BCI accredited and the products are ethically produced by our local production partner – all aspects of the brand is proudly South African with a contemporary twist. Our mission is to generate sustainable income for the artists we work with whilst investing in South African resources and simultaneously growing the economy.
What advice can you give entrepreneurs starting a business?
That idea is planted in your heart for a reason, do you research and give it a shot, before someone else does… shitty situations sometimes inspire brilliant solutions.
Completely unrelated! Favourite place to eat in South Africa? (for our own benefit and our curious followers!)
Ooh so many! Let’s narrow it down to Johannesburg – ‘Marble’ is always a treat. Traditional food turned fine dining with a breath-taking view over Jozi’s suburbs, highly recommended.
