Bravery is more than just a trait in entrepreneurship, it’s a cornerstone of success. This week, during a special XSpaces discussion on entrepreneurial stories, we explored the vital role bravery plays in building a business. Among our inspiring panelists was Amanda Nomnqa, a young social entrepreneur and founder of SheIsBrave—a name that instantly sparks thought and admiration. Reflecting on the essence of bravery in entrepreneurship, it’s clear that without it, the chances of success are slim, regardless of the products or services one offers.
This week, we had the privilege of hearing from three remarkable entrepreneurs:
Stories of Entrepreneurs
Amanda Nomnqa
- Amanda is the visionary behind SheIsBrave, a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering girls and young women. As a social entrepreneur, facilitator, and public speaker, Amanda is driven by a desire to make the world a better place. Through SheIsBrave, she addresses the lack of mentoring and empowerment opportunities for young women, equipping them with the tools they need to reach their full potential.
James Magagula
2. James is the Director and Owner of Wotatrix Services, a company specialising in Health Care Risk Waste Management. Established in 2012 and based in Clayvillage, Olifantsfontein, Wotatrix Services has experienced significant growth over the past two years, expanding its operations to service the entire Eastern Cape.
Refentse Mokale
3. Refentse is a designer and multidisciplinary creative at Marabou Essentials. She believes in the power of self-expression, positive storytelling, and the confidence to embrace our uniqueness. Through her work, Refentse celebrates the ways in which we choose to beautify ourselves and the spaces around us.
Host: I’m curious about the name “SheIsBrave,” Amanda. How did you come up with it?
Amanda: Let me explain what SheIsBrave is and why we chose that name. SheIsBrave is a nonprofit organisation founded to empower girls and young women by providing them with the tools and support they need to reach their full potential. This initiative was inspired by my own experiences as a young girl. I created this platform because it’s something I wished I had when I was younger. We focus on mentorship and recognising the strength that every girl possesses. Our mission is to help girls and young women build their bravery as they navigate their professional lives and personal journeys. Essentially, this platform is designed to help them unleash their full potential. While it might seem like there are more spaces for girls and women now, I still believe we have a long way to go. That’s why it’s crucial to have platforms like this and to continue advocating for young girls and women.
Host: I’m also curious about your background. Where are you from, and what influenced you to take these brave steps?
Amanda: I often say that I had a very special upbringing—special in the sense that it was challenging. I grew up with both my parents until they separated. Before that, I attended about five different schools as a child, which affected me deeply. I struggled to connect with other children and to simply be a child because I was already exposed to so much at home. I’ve studied isiZulu as my home language, as well as isiPedi. I started at a good Model C school, but then I had to move to a township and learn isiZulu as my home language. Later, I moved to Limpopo and did SePedi as my home language. As a child, this constant change dented my self-esteem. I never really felt like I belonged anywhere, and I found it difficult to participate in school activities, whether it was sports or anything else, because every time I started to get comfortable in a new environment, things would change again.
Eventually, I moved to high school and lived with my mother in Ivory Park, where I completed my education at Qinisweni High School. By the time I reached Grade 8, I was tired and fed up with all the changes I had been through. I decided to take control and be brave about my decisions and actions. I joined the debate team, participated in public speaking, and even became an ICL (Independent Critical Learner).
Host: What are some of the programmes you’re working on, and what challenges are you facing?
Amanda: The organisation has grown rapidly, and we’ve managed to impact a lot of young people—over 5,000 so far through SheIsBrave. Currently, we’re working on the NYS (National Youth Service) project, where we provide our volunteers with work opportunities and a stipend. This allows us to continue running our programmes. We’ve structured our work with the volunteers, focusing on unemployed youth by offering them training through our digital skills programme.
Host: Let’s move over to you, Refetse. You’re a designer and a creative. Where did it all start?
Refentse: I’ve always been creative, even before I understood what the word meant. My brother reminded me that when I was younger, I used to make jewellery at school and sell it to the teachers. I’d actually forgotten about that until he brought it up. I was born in Phokeng, a village in Rustenburg, where I had a nice childhood and attended school. After that, I relocated to Johannesburg for university, where I studied engineering. I worked in the corporate sector for four years before leaving. During that time, I started doing creative work as a form of escape. I made small items for myself and friends, just as a hobby. Then one day, someone asked if they could buy one of my creations, and that’s how it all started. It’s been quite a journey—something I never planned to turn into a full-time gig.
Host: I’m curious about the transition. At what point did you decide to run it as a business?
Refetse: I’d say I started taking it seriously when I left my job, though it’s not that I wasn’t serious before. But once I could dedicate all my time to it, things changed. Initially, it was just a hobby, something I did for fun. But when people started noticing and liking the jewellery I was wearing and creating, and they began buying it, I realised there was real potential. That’s when I started putting more effort into it, creating more designs, and experimenting with different ideas.
Host: Can you give us a mental picture of what your business is like?
Refentse: I have an online shop, so a lot of our sales happen through social media and our online store. I also supply several physical shops. There’s one in Mall of Africa, one in Menlyn Mall, and another in Gateway Mall. I also supply a shop in Rosebank Mall, as well as some international stores. Currently, I’m supplying a shop in France, and I’ve also worked with stores in places like California. It’s been quite a lot to manage, but it’s exciting. I also have shops in Cape Town, and in addition to that, I attend various shows to promote and sell my products.
Host: A lot of entrepreneurs say they struggle with funding when setting up. How did you fund your business?
Refentse: The business was self-funded. I found that reinvesting profits back into the business really works, especially if you don’t have external funding. If you make a profit and reinvest it, it can keep the business growing. For example, I recently entered a kitchen competition and won some money. Instead of spending it on non-essential things, I used it to buy machinery for the business. I see that as a form of self-funding. I also apply for funding from government and private institutions, but it doesn’t always come through. When it does, though, it gives my business a significant boost.
Host: Many entrepreneurs mention that funding is a significant challenge when starting out. How did you fund your business?
Refentse: My business was self-funded. I found that reinvesting profits back into the business is very effective, especially when you don’t have access to external funding. By consistently reinvesting what I earned, I was able to keep the business growing. For instance, I recently won a kitchen competition and used the prize money to buy machinery for the business instead of spending it on non-essential items. I view this as a form of self-funding. I also apply for funding from government and private institutions, but it doesn’t always come through. However, when it does, it provides a significant boost to my business.
Host: James, it’s great to have you here. Let’s dive into your story. How did you end up starting this business?
James: The business was originally my father’s brainchild; he was a seasoned entrepreneur. Unfortunately, he’s no longer with us. At some point, the business began to struggle, and he decided to retire. I come from a corporate background, and when the opportunity arose, I took over after his retirement. I must say, though, he had already laid a solid foundation.
Host: I’m curious, what are some of the lessons you learned from your father? What do you remember most?
James: My father had no formal education, yet he managed to come up with such innovative ideas. I learned that sometimes, despite our educational experience, it’s crucial to return to the basics and remember how the business was originally established. Modern methods are often successful, but it’s still valuable to revisit those foundational principles. We have computers and the internet now, but they started with none of that. Today, we’re digitising everything, whereas everything they did was manual. I had the privilege of learning from my father’s experience while he was still alive, especially since I took over the business during that time.
Host: James, it’s great to have you here. Let’s dive into your story. How did you end up starting this business?
James: The business was originally my father’s brainchild; he was a seasoned entrepreneur. Unfortunately, he’s no longer with us. At some point, the business began to struggle, and he decided to retire. I come from a corporate background, and when the opportunity arose, I took over after his retirement. I must say, though, he had already laid a solid foundation.
Host: I’m curious, what are some of the lessons you learned from your father? What do you remember most?
James: My father had no formal education, yet he managed to come up with such innovative ideas. I learned that sometimes, despite our educational experience, it’s crucial to return to the basics and remember how the business was originally established. Modern methods are often successful, but it’s still valuable to revisit those foundational principles. We have computers and the internet now, but they started with none of that. Today, we’re digitising everything, whereas everything they did was manual. I had the privilege of learning from my father’s experience while he was still alive, especially since I took over the business during that time.
Host: Can you paint a picture of where the business stands at this point?
James: When my father retired and left the business, it was at a critical juncture, but it has grown significantly since then. We’re now based in Olifantsfontein Business Park, but our services extend throughout Gauteng. We also cover Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and have recently expanded into the Eastern Cape. We’ve established an office in Port Elizabeth, and we operate in areas like Mthatha and Humansdorp. Our growth in this province has been exponential. We primarily service laboratories, hospitals, and clinics, with vehicles dedicated to collecting medical waste across these regions.
5 Tips for Growing a Small Business:
- Reinvest Profits: Use your earnings to fund growth initiatives, such as new equipment or marketing efforts.
- Build a Strong Online Presence: Leverage social media and an engaging website to reach a wider audience and attract customers.
- Network Relentlessly: Connect with other businesses and potential clients through industry events and social platforms.
- Focus on Customer Feedback: Continuously gather and act on customer insights to improve products and services.
- Explore Funding Options: Apply for grants, loans, or competitions to secure additional resources when needed.