22 Jul 2013

After so many years of tiresome lectures and assignments, most students cannot wait to join the workforce after graduating from university.

Having a formal job and working under somebody’s supervision has never been Ms Kago Rasekgantsho’s desire. That is why after graduating from Gaborone Technical College, she went into entrepreneurship.

Ms Rasekgantsho never applied for a job because she wanted to be her own boss and contribute significantly to the development of her village and the country as well. She wanted to start her own beauty parlour but she had no money, the only thing at her disposal was her certificate in beauty therapy.

However, she did not despair because she knew that in her certificate she was holding a key that will unlock doors for her. After benefiting from the Youth Development Fund in 2011, the 28-year-old formed a beauty clinic, which started operating in January 2012 in Palapye opposite Central Transport Organisation.

Legae beauty clinic provided services such as pedicure, manicure and beauty therapy for all skin types ranging from combination, oily, congested to dry skin. Like any business, she encountered challenges and attracting customers to her clinic was not bread and butter as most of the time she had to educate the community about the importance of beauty.

Even though beauty had always been portrayed to be an area for women, Ms Rasekgantsho had a task of educating even men so that they too take care of their skins. Nevertheless, with some developments taking place in Palapye, the area was attracting more people which tended to be an advantage for her in terms of increasing customer base.

Also, she said building good relationships with her customers was also working for her as customers were free to consult her anytime.The business, almost two years old now, had employed one person with a Certificate in beauty therapy. Also among some challenges in her business was that of land which she says stifles Legae beauty clinic operations.

As a result, she said she was compelled to rent some premises for which she had to part with P1 500 every month. As a young entrepreneur, Ms Rasekgantsho thus encouraged other youngsters to utilise the Youth Development Fund.

That, she said was because government alone could not create employment for Batswana, thus taking advantage of the fund by the youth would also help them create employment for other people. ENDS