30 Jul 2017

Waking up everyday with the urge to win is not a walk in the park, but that could only be realised if one is persistent to achieve results.

These are inspirational words which the entrepreneur, Ms Segolame Tsae lives by.

The agile director of Sebaga handcrafts company, a bead products manufacturing business based in Broadhurst, was born with the mission to thrive despite what life throws at her. Ms Tsae did not want to be a statistic among people who failed to fight for their dreams.

“From childhood I have always wanted to ride in a high wave of personal and professional achievement whilst being my own boss and also creating jobs for others,” said the Mahalapye born entrepreneur.

With her vision, she knew that education was the key for her success and she prepared her future by graduating with a diploma in business management and AAT. While sure that she was equipped with the necessary skills, she decided to satisfy her passion for handmade crafts which she always had from a tender age.

“I started bead work which I learnt from a Kenyan friend. My friend orientated and offered me a three months attachment so as to sharpen my skills,” she said. It was through her husband’s help that she managed to set up Sebaga handcrafts, a self-financed business which started in 2012.“I use wood, glass and plastic beads to make handbags, purses and clutch bags amongst others,” she said.

Astonished by her clientele’s response she roped in two young women and a part time designer to work with in order to meet the demand. In 2015, Ms Tsae decided to grow here business and through the Youth Development Fund (YDF) she was funded P88 000 to buy a sewing machine and stock.

She said it helped to maximise her production and drove her to learn more techniques, something which saw her business exceling and coming at the top in the accessories category at Women’s Expo in 2015 and 2016 respectively. She made it again at the Youth Expo in 2016 where she came third in the manufacturing category.

The achievements awakened her vision to have a retail store and bead teaching classes to share her skills. She said by participating in these expos, it afforded her an opportunity to share ideas, network and market crafts, something which spurs business.

She further said with motivation from the expo, she has also managed to expand her line of business by producing canvas manufactured goods.

However, Ms Tsae conceded that her business also experienced challenges, citing seasonality and high rental which forced her to operate from home.

She is optimistic that she will pull through and encouraged other young people in business not to despair when times are hard. ENDS