Women Who Dare

Source : Kutlwano

Author : Keonee Kealeboga

Location : Gaborone

Event : Interview

Today, a woman’s life no longer revolves around domestic chores such as cooking, washing, cleaning, let alone reproduction. Instead, entrepreneurship has pretty much become as much a part of a woman as it is for a man. In fact women rub shoulders with their male counterparts in almost all sectors of the economy. Lately women have shown great resolve not only to enter the world of business but to hang in there as well so their presence is also felt. They no longer want to be mere spectators.

For today’s woman, being an active player in contributing to the economy is more appealing than watching from the sidelines. Recently, Botswana Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Manpower (BOCCIM) brought under one roof women entrepreneurs whose presence in the business world has made and is continuing to make a tremendous impact in Botswana’s economy. From tourism and hospitality, transport to furniture, successful women running businesses under these sectors told stories of inspiration to those who had been shying away from taking the plunge. Determination, desire, discipline and dedication were laid out as some key ingredients that could propel women forward and usher them into a platform of great success where their businesses would be reckoned with.

One of the speakers, Coloh Chengeta-Awe of Space Interiors, a business that sells home and office furniture, highlighted the importance of support especially at the crucial stage when the business was still at its infancy. The family in particular should rally around women and give them all the necessary support when they venture into business. In her own situation, Coloh wished her husband would have been more supportive. “Support is very important. In my case, my husband was not supportive at all. He had fears and his main worry was what would happen if the business failed,” she revealed. To her, men are not supportive when their wives start businesses that involve investing a lot of money.

To address such, it is crucial to keep communicating with them, updating them on the successes of the business to help allay their fears. “Despite his reservations, I held tightly to my dream. It was a cherished dream that I really wanted to see come to fruition,” she enthused. Keeping communication lines open became a norm. She would share her day-to-day experiences with her husband even when he was clearly not interested. “I kept involving him, whether he was listening or not. When business was slow, he would say ‘I told you’, and he would refer to it as ‘your shop’; distancing himself from it,” recalled Coloh. However, last year when business started showing signs of improvement, Coloh’s husband started to up his involvement in the business, she said. That to Coloh was a clear sign of pride that men take in the success of their wives. Since then, she holds close to her heart the little secret that she ought to work hard to give her husband something to be proud of. “Men are meant to shine through the success of their wives,” she quipped with a smile.

For Wapula Pule-Matshambane of Footprints Africa Safaris, a tour company operator, and FAS Car Rentals, it was not easy being a young entrepreneur. Aged 27 when she ventured into the tourism industry, she reckoned that challenges for young entrepreneurs usually started at home with the aspiring businessperson having to first convince their parents that the business was indeed viable. “Your parents have to believe in you. If you don’t convince them that your dream is feasible, they will not be able to fully support you,” she said. To Wapula, business is integrally what you are. That is why to her it is crucial for one to know clearly what it is they really want. Engaging business consultants to draw one’s business plan is not only improper but can also be seen as a sign of uncertainty on the part of the entrepreneur. “Don’t go to consultants, think for yourself and draw up your own business plan. After all, it is you who will be facing the giant called business,” she advised.

Introducing herself as a director of different companies, renowned businesswoman, Talita Monnakgotla, echoed her desire to see businesswomen standing their ground and seeking victory despite challenges of the cutthroat world of business. She believed that though competition was stiff especially from men, women should never be shaken to the point of wanting to quit. Talita, who indeed is director of many companies, some of which are AT & T Monnakgotla Transport, AT & T Monnakgotla Tours, AT & T Monnakgotla Insurance Brokers, had her own recipe for success. Self-discipline tops her list, with being prayerful also playing a key role in her life. “Self-discipline is very important. First and foremost you will at one point in the life of the business be entrusted with someone else’s money. When financiers fund your business they will expect you to exercise a high level of financial prudence with their money,” opined Talita.

Branding a business and marketing are some of the key elements that an entrepreneur should never overlook and Talita reckoned that whoever did those three effectively would fare well in their business. While the event was basically about inspiring women to go into business, a slot on beauty came in handy for those who may end up neglecting their own needs due to their tight business schedules. Mishkah Maoosa of Timeless Beauty highlighted the need for businesswomen to strike a balance between inner and outer serenity. “Beauty is not about make-up but rather about how you feel inside,” she said. According to her, women were in control of their beauty, both inner and outer; and should always find time to work on it. They also should endeavour to find spiritual fulfillment, thus they should set aside time to pray. ENDS

Teaser:

Whoever said a woman’s place was in the kitchen was clearly not referring to the woman of today. Though in bygone days it was an indisputable truth, the scales have undoubtedly tilted as more and more women are steadfastly finding their way into the hitherto male-dominated world of paid employment and entrepreneurship.