Ankalia's Fifth Birthday

Thank you to everyone that has supported me along the way. Starting Ankalia really happened all because of a fluke meeting and an offer that I jumped into and took several big risks on.

At the age of fifty I did a lot of things that were a big upheaval and completely changed my life

1. I quit my corporate job.

2. I went to Italy as a mature aged student and studied Fashion and Luxury Goods Management.

3. By fluke I was offered a job working for NO PAY with a traditional Papa Sandal Artisan in a tiny Italian town.

Image: Cheryl Botha training in Italy with "Papa" Sandal Artisan

4. After returning home to Australia and doing a lot of the ground work to get Ankalia set-up, I left a note and left my marriage of 18 years. I drove like a frightened little rabbit, several thousand kilometres to a new city.

5. I launched Ankalia when I had nothing. I was sleeping on a hiking mattress in an empty apartment. I was single, scared and lonely.

That was all more than five years ago and starting Ankalia is what saved me. It gave me something to focus on completely and got me through the dark days of leaving my former beautiful life and starting all over again from a base of nothing.

Image: Cheryl Botha the Founder and Creative Director of Ankalia Sandals in Perth, Western Australia

I’m passionate about Ankalia and passionate about designing and making beautiful “slow fashion” sandals. It’s what I’ll continue to do for the rest of my life. I’m confident that Ankalia will continue to celebrate many more birthdays in the future.

Lots of love,

Cheryl    xx