05 Nov 2013

A woman who runs an embroidery business in Maun, Ms Tshegofatso Ditsele has said even though other businesses are always trying to poach her clients, customer satisfaction is what has fended off their attempts and kept her business going.

Speaking during a media tour of her business premises organised by the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA), Ms Ditsele said she started operating in 2009 and has not looked back since. “Before then, I used to work for another company still in the embroidery sector and customers used to encourage me to open up my own business because they liked what I did and how I treated them,” she said.

She said when she first thought of starting her own business, she did not have any idea of how she was going to go about it and that she sought assistance from LEA. “I approached the LEA office in Mochudi and since I wanted to open my business in Maun, they referred me to their offices in Maun and I was assisted accordingly,” she said.

Ms Ditsele said after she was assisted by LEA, she approached Citizen Entrepreneurship Development Agency (CEDA) to access funding but was denied funding. “They said my business would not make any profit, but look at me now,” shesaid.

She further said LEA assisted her with business management workshops, meeting potential clients, attending small micro medium enterprise (SMME) workshops, customer services workshops and accessing funding for her business.

“Initially I used my own personal savings which amounted to over P10 000 as start up cash and then in June 2011, I got a loan of P96 000 from the Department of Youth,” said Ms Ditsele. She said she also does printing besides embroidery and her clients are safari lodges, schools, churches and the Fresh Exclusive Nite club.

“I do T-shirts, school uniforms and everything else that one may want embroidered,” she said. She employs three people and hopes to open another business in Kasane.
On the challenges she faces, Ms Ditsele said the unavailability of different colour threads is a challenge.

“We get the threads from South Africa. We also face a problem every time our machines need servicing,” she said. She also said the government can do a lot more to support local entreprenuers by insisting that goods and services be bought locally.

“We have noticed that companies in Gaborone do everything, even things that should be meant for locals and which can empower them,” she said. Ms Ditsele also applauded LEA for referring customers to her since they are able to travel the length and breadth of Ngamiland. She also said she does a bit of social responsibility in and around Ngamiland District.

“At the beginning of every school year, I sew and embroider school uniforms for the less privileged children,” she said. Ms Ditsele said most people still question the importance of LEA, but that it should not be the case as it was important to the success and sustainability of small businesses. Ends