Shedrack Hazoume turned 40, but it was more of a celebration of a milestone than just a celebration of his 4th decade on planet earth. He is one person who started from humble beginnings to helming
one of Africa’s fastest growing fashion brands, so for him, it’s
a celebration of vision, grit, and impact. Through TBR Africa,
Hazoume is redefining how men dress across more than ten
African countries and beyond. In a chat before his birthday, he
shares how he built a continent spanning fashion business that
blends tradition with cutting-edge innovation. It was also his first
time of publicly celebrating any of his achievements, but for him,
it is a moment of a deep sense of gratitude and ‘also reflection.
“Personally, I’m amazed at how far I’ve come. Professionally, I feel
fulfilled that we’ve built businesses that employ people and contribute to the economy. When I look back, it’s incredible what we’ve achieved with so little. It’s all by the grace of God”. For him, the profound lessons so far are, the relationships that pivoted the growth of his company, humility, where he has learnt to be teachable, and commitment, where he has to be dedicated to his vision, no matter how challenging the journey gets. His interest in fashion started in secondary school. “I had a group of friends who dressed
really well –Paul, especially, influenced me. I wanted to look sharp like them, so I started sourcing designer shoes and paying attention to style. Later, I ventured into modelling, which deepened my interest.
During my modelling days, I struggled to find shirts that fit particularly the sleeve length, since I’m quite tall. That struggle opened my eyes to a gap in the market for well-fitted clothing, especially for tall or plus-sized men. That was the beginning of our bespoke offering. I realized there were many like me who needed custom fits, and that insight laid the foundation for what TBR has become.
TBR currently serves men across 10+ African countries, but for him, his biggest challenges have been logistics, shipping garments across borders is no small feat. But with trusted relationships and strategic planning, he was able to overcome it. His proudest win has been building reliable teams across the continent who understand the vision and help them deliver excellence.
On scaling TBR, while staying true to his creative roots, especially with business certifications from top institutions.
“Those business certifications have been vital. They’ve helped me structure the company, delegate effectively, and grow sustainably. Creativity is important, but without business acumen, growth stalls. The courses I’ve taken helped me understand how to balance the artistry of fashion with the demands of entrepreneurship.
“That training has been transformational. It completely shifted my mindset, especially in areas like tailoring processes, packaging, presentation, and consultation. We’re still implementing the knowledge, but even now, it’s changed the way we work. The attention to detail, customer service, and craftsmanship we now deliver are influenced directly by that world-class experience.
He has a strong and loyal customer base, who literarily blow the trumpet about TBR’s unmatched service. According to him, “It boils down to two things: relationship and integrity. We’re responsive and consistently deliver quality as we promise. Our loyalty to customers has bred loyalty in return. They know they can trust us to exceed expectations, and that trust has helped us scale significantly”.
As a man of society, what place does family take in his life? His 24 answer is simple. “Family is my foundation. It’s my biggest source of joy. God has blessed me with a supportive wife and wonderful children, and they occupy the most important seat in my life. Everything I do is ultimately for them to build something that lasts and sets an example for them to follow”.
He must definitely have some style inspirations, they are, Andrew Ramroop, the founder of Maurice Sedwell, he has been a major influence on his style journey. He discovered the designer during his time at Savile Row, and for over 20 years, his work has shaped how he thinks about fashion and design. He also deeply admire Ozwald Boateng his dedication to the craft and the way he carries style has inspired him throughout his career.
But for staying ahead in a constantly evolving fashion industry. “We are an innovation-led business, and that’s a big part of our growth and success. At TBR Africa, we’re tech-driven in all we do. With a team spread across the continent, collaboration is crucial, so we use tech tools to work seamlessly and serve our clients faster.
We’re data-driven in every business and management decision, which keeps us efficient. On the design side, we’ve fully transitioned to 3D and are now exploring how AI can support our creative process and scale our reach”. This question was very key in the chat.
As someone who’s helped shape the narrative around premium menswear in Africa, how do you see your influence contributing to the industry’s global recognition and growth?
“I see African fashion as something that should not just be only local, but global, run with the same structure and ambition as any international fashion house.
My approach has always been about showing that our traditional outfits, when tailored with precision and crafted with excellence, can stand toe-to-toe with designs from anywhere in the world. That mindset pushes both our team and our customers to expect and deliver nothing but the best.
TBR Africa is known for its bold fashion statement, but how are you using the brand to inspire change beyond clothing, and what legacy do you hope to leave?
“Our biggest contribution goes beyond style, it’s about empowerment. I want TBR Africa to be a blueprint for others across the continent, showing that African-owned brands can thrive globally.
As one of our clients, Vusi Thembekwayo, once said, “Because it’s Black doesn’t mean it has to be small.”
That resonates deeply. I’m building a multimillion-dollar fashion business that will outlive me. And beyond business, giving back is central to who I am. I’ve benefited from mentorship, so it’s only right I do the same for my team and the next generation. Real success begets success”. He is a visionary leader, and he is not shy to invest in people. “One of my biggest contributions so far has been the impact I’ve made through continuous training and mentorship, to both my team and others. For me, it’s not just about fashion, it’s about building people.
Every year, I create opportunities to bring young creatives together, reflect on their growth, and equip them with the tools they need to move forward. It’s a cycle of learning, reflection, and planning for the future. That ongoing investment in people, along with contributing to the communities around us, is how I hope to inspire the next generation of leaders across all industries.
First advice for anyone that wants to be trained, if there’s a need for them to enrol themselves in fashion school, or any business that will train them on how to build a small business from scratch to top and also offer some form of mentorship. Integrity, integrity is key. Say what you mean and do what you say. That’s how real leaders are built, not just in fashion, but across every industry.
Is there room for TBR to expand, of course! “The dream is for TBR Africa to expand across every African country and beyond. I envision a brand that outgrows me, one that I can one day step back from and proudly watch as it’s led by a new generation. It’s important that the vision is passed on, that young people are empowered to take the reins and drive it forward.
For me, the long-term goal is a sustainable legacy, TBR being run by passionate, visionary leaders who will continue to push boundaries and scale the brand globally.
So, as we celebrate his 40th birthday with him, we celebrate the incredible impact he has made, his mentorship, guidance, and leadership and how they have transformed our mindset and helped shape our personal and professional growth in so many ways
