21 Feb 2017

While the process of starting a business is full of challenges that can prompt an aspiring entrepreneur to re-think their decision to start a business, Ms Gaongalelwe Gabaatlholwe shouldered on to see to it that her dream to own business is realised.

Ms Gabaatlholwe, 37, who was sponsored in 2015 to start a secretarial service business through Mascom network citizen empowerment programme of Kitsong centres, described her business as a gold mine because it has and continues to give her financial independence.

Equipped with an advanced secretarial and office administration certificate, she offers services such as faxing, lamination, internet, scanning and other office administrations services.

She says as the only business in Mabutsane that provides the secretarial services, she makes a lot of profit.

However, she is quick to add that although she does not have competitors, she has made it a habit to deliver top notch services to her clients in striving for brand loyalty.

“I pride myself in delivering exceptional services to my clients because when you carefully think of it, clients are the marketing personnel of our businesses and I capitalise on that so that they can recommend my services to others,” she says.

Further, she says with the financial freedom that her business has given her, she has since been able to build herself a house and even provides for her family’s needs.

She also saysthat with some of the profit that she makes, she has invested in other ventures as a step to grow her brand.

“I honestly believe that opening this business was the best choice I ever made, it has given me so many opportunities and helped me to grow, not only financially, but in all aspects of life. I am able to provide for my family and be an example to others that even a village girl’s dreams do come true,” she says.

She thus encourages other women, especially in villages to go after their dreams.

In her opinion, women in rural areas have a lot to contribute to the economy of the country with many ideas that she says she always hear from them.

“I wish we women who live in villages can be bold and chase after our dreams. We have so much potential to be business powerhouses, but we shy away from them,” she says. BOPA