What started as just four t-shirts has grown into a global streetwear brand. Crispy Malawi’s a’ba.lé is proving that consistency, not profit, builds visibility and lasting impact.
“We started with four t-shirts under our brand a’ba.lé, and because of our love for making t-shirts, we focused on getting them seen on the streets rather than chasing profits,” said Crispy Malawi in an interview with us.
He explained that their consistency has fueled the brand’s growth. In the early days, they worked only on demand, but now they’re producing more and shipping to countries like the USA and Israel.
“Now, we can send anywhere because we’ve grown as a brand,” he said.
He noted that foreign exchange shortages remain a major barrier for small Malawian businesses looking to expand internationally.
He gives advice to young Malawians who want to venture into business:
“Every business starts at a lower pace. We started with just four t-shirts, and now everyone knows about us. What matters most is showing up and in the end, it pays off.”
