New enterprise

Johnny’s learning how to make an idea a business reality

He’s a student of business who runs his own and has ideas for plenty more. Johnny Fiefia is building a clothing brand to raise awareness of mental health. The entrepreneur is the oldest student in our men’s residence.

“I started a sneaker cleaning business on campus last year. Many people don’t want to wear dirty sneakers, but once the sneakers look new again, they’re happy to wear them. But you can damage sneakers by using the wrong cleaning solution or putting them in the washing machine.

“I’ve learnt how to clean sneakers because I collect them—Air Jordan and the like. After losing my job at the airport during COVID, I thought, What if I made my own clothing?. I’ve now got a hoodie range in a streetwear vibe with t-shirts coming.

“The brand raises awareness of mental health. I don’t want people thinking you deal with it on your own. No matter where you are in life, God’s with you. That’s why I’ve put a cross in the logo. After breaking up with a girlfriend, I saw a counsellor. They said think about mental health as three strands of a rope. The first is our relationship with God, the second our relationship with others, and the third our relationship to ourself. If we intertwine all three, we’re stronger.

“I’m better at running the business than when I first started. The degree’s helping with the legal side of things—insurance, intellectual property, trademarking. And because our classes are small, I get one-on-one time with lecturers. I spent half an hour with [MBA course convenor] Warrick Long the other week. Getting advice from a professional usually costs money, so these moments are priceless. I tell first-year students, ‘Ask all your questions now.’

“I feed off the youthful energy in the residence. I have a couple of friends who wouldn’t be if I lived off campus. We’re so different, but because we see each other now and again, we share something in common.”