Joel Balimanya Artist!
Artist? Yes it’s his deserved title! Creativity takes a lot of courage and after all he did see treasure where most saw old tired rubber! I bet you own some of his creations and you do not even have a clue! Here’s your chance to dig into the mind of a real breathing artist..
The Man Behind The Art…
Before we get down to business, a few pleasantries are exchanged as would be expected (he was my art teacher after all).
This is crazy right! Who would have possibly imagined, that all these years later I would be interviewing you! And not about school work but YOUR SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS!!!!
Life is just full of surprises I guess. I’ve learned never to expect less from it.
So tell me, How did this all start? The business, the idea? What inspired the birth of Zuula Art? One day after work the art lesson I was teaching ended, my colleague and I were strolling back home and I happened to come across a strip of car tire. I picked it up, turned to my friend and told him, “I am going to create something from that rubber,” He laughed to my face, thinking the idea not only crazy but impossible. He said,“Tumanyi oyiya naye leero biganye!” (We know your super creative but that is just impossible!)
That struck a chord didn’t it? How did that comment make you feel?
I went home filled with determination, not only to prove my friend wrong but also to see if I could really create something beautiful from a tired unattractive piece of tire. Two weeks later I made a bracelet and sold it to that skeptical friend of mine who bought it and sold it to his friend too(smirk.)
The tables did turn huh! You had the right to laugh in his face for doubting you artistic spirit.(laughs) Yes they did and I was glad because that’s when it hit me. I realised that I could make a lucrative business out of recycled car tires if I put my time and energy into it.
How did you plan on handling the pressure that came with teaching and the stress of starting up a business?
Well I’ll never find out. I quit! In good spirits.
You risked it all, for a business idea that came to you from a dusty old tire?
Yes I did. I was so determined and hell bent on making it work that with shillings 40000( approx. 13.5$) I started buying recycled car tires and rolls from Kisekka market through a supplier downtown. At first I tried out different things because I didn’t want to copy other people’s works. I wanted to make something different and finally, I did.
Speaking from experience I know how hard it can be to try and come up with a whole new design, or concept or piece of work. And you’re smart but let’s face it, none of us think we are geniuses, so how were you planning on making, ‘different’?
I didn’t create. I did better than that. I took what was already created and enhanced it, made it better, more attractive, more wearable, like that car tire! I got normal accessories and inscribed them with my own unique designs.
( Clever. Genius in fact.)
How did you grow the large number of clients you have today? I started by going to the national theater with my products in a bag to show interested buyers who would later connect me to clients. Most of my first clients were whites. But these days Ugandans buy my products too. I also use social media platforms to advertise.
Have you faced any challenges in this business?
Well I started by working from home which meant that I had to go to the clients, not them to come to me. Transport costs started piling up and were always increasing. In fact one time a female client told me to deliver five pairs of sandals and despite the fact that it was heavily raining, I jumped on a bodabada(motor bike.) Upon getting there the lady took one look at the sandals and said, “But I thought they were leather!” When I informed her that they were made of tire she did not buy any pair and didn’t even have the graciousness to refund my transport fee!
What?!! You must posses a godly amount of patience! I would have been seething mad!
I was angry and disappointed. So angry! In fact that act pushed me to leave home and find a place in town where I could set up a shop. (Zainab Azziz plaza, Entebbe Road in Kampala city.)
So your clients now have a place they can find you, instead of you going to them. Makes work a whole lot easier.
It does if you think of it in that way, but for me it drives me even more.
Pushes me to work harder so that I can meet that monthly rent.
Another challenge is that during some seasons, clients are scarce. Also I lack the proper machinery needed to make the exact kind of product I want to. But I’m currently saving up for those big machines.
Don’t you often feel like time is racing against you?
Yes I have a lot more things I would love to make if time allowed it.( He used to make art out of old pieces of clothes and glue them onto a piece of bark cloth! Genius right?)
What Inspires you to tread on even during the fruitless seasons?
Money! We all want and need money at the end of the day! Plus the idea to create something different while using that which society deems as garbage. And My Beautiful Fiancee. (She’s now his WIFE!) is an amazing woman.
What achievements are you most proud of?
Every October I get to go to Germany and set up workshops of my art. I also visit schools to teach children art and at the end they get to display their pieces.
Any last words of advice?
Believe in yourself, the beginning may be difficult but if you work hard and focus on the prize, you will realize the fruits of your labor.
Last question. What does your name ‘Balimanya’ mean?
My name means “they will know me”
Through his exceptional art many have come to know the name Joel Balimanya.
Every year since 2012 Warendorf town which is 400 km from Berlin awaits Balimanyas return for lessons in art.
Follow His art on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @Joel Balimanya Artist.
Hope this inspired you! Keep hanging onto hope
Naks.
