OUR JOURNEY
It started in 2013
It all started for us when my wife Amanda picked up a Idea Magazine and were inspired to import Washi Tape from China. We started to search for possible suppliers and found a company. This turned out to be our first business lesson and we lost our money on the first order. This did not stop us and we found a manufacturer that supply directly to retailers. We ordered the second time and received the Washi Tape a week later. We decided to book a stall at the local Farmers Market and it developed from there. The first day were not fire works, but we were so proud of our accomplishment and that we actually sold something. “DO NOT DESPISE THE DAYS OF SMALL BEGINNING”
From 2013 – 2017
From that point, the ideas never ceased and we started to add a variety of products. Most of those products we are still selling. We had to book a second stall to allow expansion. The first shop at our home we established and were open to the public. Both of us still had to work full time and all our capital was put back into the business. We imported more and more and launched a website where we sold the Washi tape and Wall art online. That was the birth of the vision we have today. “CONNECTING THE WORLD THROUGH TRADING”
From 2017 – 2020
It was now time to re think, re brand and re size the company. Early in 2018 a new Company were established. The status change from an Close Corporation to a Company. SQAQ PTY Ltd was born. It was a good time to re brand and a new logo were designed that captured the essence of what we wanted it to become. We also launched a walk in shot with a new name. U’neeque and Special were the name Amanda wanted it to have. The shop serves as the official retail shop for SQAQ. Many people wants to know what SQAQ stand for. It simply means “Superior in Quality and Abundant in Quantity”.
From 2020 – 2021
Early 2020 we were all surprised with Covid 19 and although it was a very negative thing for many, it forced us to think differently about our business and the way we were doing things. We were forced to stop going to the local Farmers Market due to the lockdown and we used the time to work on our website. Our online shop was established during this time. We decided that we will not return to the market and that we will trust the Lord to help us do business more frequently. Toward the end of 2020, we took a bold step and moved the business away from home into a business premises in Westdene Bloemfontein. This was a game-changer for us and the business continued to grow. In May 2021 we outgrow the building and had to rent additional space to expand the walk-in shop U’neeque & Special.
