Edna Frimpong is an award-winning female entrepreneur excelling in the previously male-dominated shoemaking industry. Popularly known as “the shoemaker gurl,” Frimpong switched to making shoes full-time after losing her job with an NGO during the COVID-19 lockdown. It has been over five years since she embraced shoemaking, and she is still breaking the norm as a female shoemaker while inspiring others to chase their passion, too.
Early Life and Background
Edna Frimpong’s entrepreneurial journey began long before her shoemaking career took off. A first-class graduate from the Ghana Institute of Journalism, she specialised in Communication, with a focus on Public Relations. She actively participated in public speaking, event management, and SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) campaigns throughout her academic years. These experiences laid the foundation for her future endeavours.
Her father, Maxwell Frimpong, also in the trade, ignited her passion for shoemaking. Watching him work with such passion for shoes, Frimpong saw opportunities for improvement and innovation. Armed with her education and fresh ideas, she launched her shoe brand, building upon her father’s legacy but rebranding and refining the craft to make it her own.
While at Adonten Senior High School, her love for fashion led her to create slippers under the “Fash_slippers.” What began as a hobby soon became a potential business, as her designs received praise and attention.
In 2020, Frimpong co-founded Ahofade, a Ghanaian brand that promotes African fashion and culture. The brand offers a variety of products, including clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories. As Head of PR at Ahofade, Frimpong oversees content creation, secures contracts, and fosters relationships between the brand and its audience. Alongside her role at Ahofade, she is recognized as one of Ghana’s leading female shoemakers, with aspirations to train and employ young talent in the industry.
Shoes for the Shoeless Initiative
In sub-Saharan Africa, an estimated 20 million children walk barefoot, enduring temperatures as high as 100 degrees. Frimpong noticed that 70% of underprivileged children were demotivated from attending school due to their lack of shoes. Moved by a sense of social responsibility, Edna launched the “Shoes for the Shoeless” initiative to address this pressing issue.
The initiative aims to provide footwear to less fortunate individuals, especially children, enabling them to attend school comfortably and confidently. By caring for their feet, Frimpong hopes to remove one of the barriers to education for disadvantaged children, ensuring they can focus on their academic journey.
Expanding Influence Beyond Shoemaking
Edna Frimpong’s influence stretches beyond her work as a cobbler and PR head at Ahofade. A passionate advocate for young entrepreneurs, she has shared her journey and insights on television programs, reputable blogs, and podcasts. She empowers the younger generation in these platforms by addressing entrepreneurship, innovation, and overcoming challenges.
Frimpong is also the author of The Shoemakergurl, a book that chronicles her entrepreneurial journey and the principles that led to her success. Through this, she shares valuable business insights and motivates aspiring entrepreneurs to persevere despite obstacles. Her spoken or written words resonate deeply with audiences, inspiring youth to pursue their passions with unwavering determination. Her dedication to social impact and innovative business approach have earned her several prestigious accolades. Notable among them are:
- Most Iconic Young Female Shoemaker of the Year 2023 by Westlion.Co.
- Ranked #17 out of 200 Top Content Creators on LinkedIn Ghana by Favikon
- Featured in Ventures Africa’s 20 Women Of Impact, 2023.
- Recipient of the 40 Under 40 Award.
As Edna Frimpong continues to make waves in the shoe-making industry, her mission remains clear: to inspire and uplift lives while caring for the feet of many, one shoe at a time.
