07 Mar 2016

Segomotso Mponyo is a role model not only for Bakgalagadi but also for women in the predominantly male-dominated industry. 

Her idea to establish a formidable enterprise was motivated by their Toyota Corolla 1.6 sedan which broke down in the Kgalagadi area in 2005. 

A wife and a mother of two children said the car knocked the engine that forced them to strip off the parts. 

“People displayed massive interest to purchase those car parts that gave me an idea that indeed an auto spare shop is an imperative answer to their needs’’, she said. 

In this fashion, she realised her dream by starting an auto spare shop in 2008.   

Her dream of becoming an entrepreneur came true as she applied for funding by the Youth Development Fund (YDF) and received P42 000. 

Speaking in an interview recently, she said she managed to start her business called Ujamah Spare shop. 

With the money received, she managed to buy equipment, service kits, operating stock, pay rent including other utilities such as water and electricity bills. 

Whilst running this business she encountered some stock shortage challenges that made her realise a top up will improve her business.  

In the quest to upgrade her business, she subsequently applied and received a top-up of P93 000 in 2015. 

“The reason why I want the Department of Youth to help me with a top up is that the initial funding was too little, it could not cover up all the stock as you know car parts are quite expensive’’, she said. 

Some of the challenges facing Ms Mponyo include high rental charges as she is renting a business under a two year contract that needs to be renewed every two years. 

She also buys stock from car dealerships that also charge exorbitant prices. One more challenge is that she often comes across technicians who have a tendency of treating her as if she is unable to understand the intricacies of the car parts without a man present. Instead of getting mad at them, Ms Mponyo decided to swallow her pride and learn two or more things from her customers that ultimately paid dividends by giving her a strong grounding in the automotive world. 

Against all odds, she noted that her business is running smoothly and demand is so high that her stock can run up before anticipated time. Responding to the question about her key to success, Ms Mponyo said, she is a service-driven woman. “You think of customers every day, every minute. 

You think about what would make their lives or their businesses more successful’’, she added. 

She wants to expand her business and hire more unemployed youth. Mrs Mponyo said she is happy now because she has been allocated a commercial plot by Hukuntsi Sub-land board, but will need money to put a structure where she can operate. 

Once her own spare shop starts running, she is planning to purchase the car parts straight from the main supplier at much lower prices. The Serowe born woman beams with joy when she talks about YDF as she says it has helped her to lead an independent life and to think outside the box. She said it has also shortened her business journey because without it, she would have been forced to look for a job to save for her business or take a loan from the bank.

Her advice to other aspiring entrepreneurs is that they should develop a thick skin, have passion and be success driven because running a business is not a one day thing. 

Ms Mponyo said they should have patience and perseverance, noting that there has been challenges but that did not make her give up because of the patience she applied.

“For me, owning an auto spare shop is a shock to many because I am a woman. 

But because I am a woman, I have a great perspective of what other women go through with other auto spare businesses. 

With owning a business in the auto care industry, I have to be knowledgeable on all aspects of the car and take great pride in delivering great work to our customers. 

It’s rewarding to know that we can make life a little easier for a mom or her family,’’ she said. Ends