We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mish Roodman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi MIsh , thanks for joining us today. Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers

Once upon a time, when COVID hit and everything came to a standstill, I found myself in a bind. A week into the pandemic, I’d lost my job and had no idea what was coming next. With only R1000 left in my bank account, I knew I had to act quickly or sink fast.

So, I took a leap and came up with an idea—why not sell something essential but with a twist? That’s when it hit me: PPE, but not just any PPE—anime and fandom-themed! I reached out to a company I’d known since I was five, pitched my idea, and to my surprise, they were on board. We quickly got to work designing masks featuring characters that anime and fandom lovers would go nuts for. The masks were SABS-approved with a 75% inhalation rating, so they were safe and effective, and they had personality! People loved them.

We didn’t stop there. We designed face shields that didn’t fog up, echo, or get in the way of doctors and nurses. And of course, we had to add a fandom twist—imagine face shields styled like Mandalorian and Darth Vader helmets! They were a smash hit, blending protection with a pop of pop-culture cool.

But here’s where things really got fun. Delivering PPE without risking my health or the health of others was tricky, so I thought, why not add a little more flair? I spent that last R1000 on a blow-up dinosaur suit. I didn’t tell anyone—just showed up in it. My mom dubbed me “The Coronasaurus,” and the name stuck! There I was, driving around the Western Cape, delivering PPE as a dinosaur. It made people smile and brightened up their lockdown days. We even made TikToks of me dancing outside people’s houses as the Coronasaurus, which were an instant hit.

And that’s what kept us going during those tough COVID days. As things started to settle down, we saw an opportunity to pivot. We dove into anime clothing, launching South Africa’s first quality anime clothing line. And the rest, as they say, is history!

MIsh , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For those new to The Engrave Slave story, here’s a bit about who we are and how we got here.

When I first started out, it was out of necessity and love for unique, high-quality fandom merchandise, especially items you just couldn’t find in South Africa. Each product we’ve developed has been something we genuinely wanted ourselves but couldn’t find locally—so we decided to make it! We began with engraved glassware, for instance. No one could make exactly what we wanted, so we took matters into our own hands, creating pieces that capture the spirit and detail we felt were missing from what was on offer. The same went for our clothing. When all you can get is imported, expensive, and not exactly what you envisioned, it pushes you to think: Why not make it here? And with that approach, The Engrave Slave was born.

We’re driven by a commitment to quality and passion for fandoms. Whether it’s anime-inspired apparel or custom engraved glassware, our goal is to offer items that don’t just sit on a shelf but that fans feel proud to use or wear every day.

What sets us apart is that we’re not just fans creating products for other fans—we’re deeply involved in the entire process, from the initial design concept to the finished piece. About 80% of our items are made right here in South Africa, often in our own studio, by local artists who understand and share our passion. It’s this personal touch and the quality of South African craftsmanship that have really resonated with our customers, and it’s incredibly rewarding to know we’re offering something people truly value.

I’m proud that we didn’t just follow trends or go with mass-produced options; we created a brand that people genuinely feel connected to. We’re a small business, female-owned, with roots in the local community and a commitment to creativity. For us, it’s about bringing fans together and creating items that feel special—because they are.

To anyone considering our brand or following our journey, just know that we’re here to bring your favorite fandoms to life in unique, high-quality ways you won’t find anywhere else. And as we grow, we’re excited to continue designing things we believe in and that make our customers as happy as they make us.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

When it comes to managing a team and maintaining high morale, my top piece of advice is to show genuine gratitude. Let your team know they’re an integral part of the company’s success and that their contributions matter. Creating this sense of belonging goes a long way in fostering loyalty and trust.

Our small team today took time to build, and I’m immensely grateful for each person. Finding trustworthy individuals who truly support you as a creator, a company, and as a human can be a challenge. It’s easy for people to take advantage, so when you find those who genuinely want to see the company and each other thrive, it’s a unique gift. Now, we have a group that feels right, a team I can count on to share in the journey and goals of The Engrave Slave.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Our Quality & Passion and willingness to drive the community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theengraveslave.co.za/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_engrave_slave/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theengraveslave
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ4ZAHevkeeZd8f2ga972pA
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@theengraveslave?lang=en

Image Credits

We took these ourselves