Transform SA speaks with a dynamic leader whose company is making waves in fuel and fleet management, water and sanitation. She has expanded into Eswatini and other SADC regions with big dreams of invoicing in dollars.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Caroline Vanqa. I grew up in the East Rand, in Vosloorus. I’m a mother of five, our youngest is just a year old and I’m the founder of an EPCM company called Tola World. I’m in my early 40s.
What does Tola World do?
Tola World is an EPCM company that originally focused on water and sanitation. But in 2020, an opportunity opened in the oil and gas space, and now we also specialize in fuel and fleet management services. We’ve expanded our offering to include full turnkey engineering solutions and design services.
Q: When did you start the business?
I formally registered the company in 2016, but we only started operating fully in 2018. Before that, I had a long career in corporate finance for almost 14 years. The transition wasn’t easy. In September 2013, I a defining moment. I got a call about a business opportunity, and something just clicked. I heard this voice inside me say, “Your years in corporate are coming to an end.” By February 2014, I had resigned.
Where do you think this entrepreneurial drive came from?
My mother is one of my biggest inspiration, she travelled, she hustled, and I watched how she provided for herself and us. I think I inherited her independent spirit. Even as a little girl, I had a picture in my mind of owning a company. I didn’t know what that meant then, but the dream never left me.
Did you have any mentors or guidance when you started your business journey?
Honestly, no. For many black women entrepreneurs, mentorship is not easily accessible. The landscape is improving now, but back then I had to look within. I made mistakes, I had to redefine my ‘why’ multiple times. Why am I doing this? Why did I think I could succeed? And along the way, I had to ignore the naysayers. One woman told me, “You have courage. How are you going to survive without a salary?” Truth is, I didn’t know. I just trusted that voice inside me.
How did you fund your business?
I bootstrapped. I used my own savings, my retirement fund and I self-funded. It’s a common story for black entrepreneurs.
What other challenges have you faced?
Entrepreneurship can be incredibly lonely. You work long hours, and as a mother and wife, it takes a toll. Having a one-year-old at 40 while managing a growing business is no joke! But the narrative is shifting. We’re seeing more women-led companies, more funding instruments, and more international support for women entrepreneurs.
How many people are you employing?
We have a staff of 15. From plumbers to safety officers, technicians, and general labourers. But we’re not stopping there. We’re aiming to double our staff to 30+ by the end of 2025.
Roughly what are your annual returns?
Without revealing too much, it’s quite pleasing when you start seeing a lot of zeros. You know, once you have surpassed your first million, your second million, and you start seeing the numbers increase, that’s heart-warming.
What’s your vision for the next 10 years?
I’m setting up an advisory board and working on an exit strategy. In 10 years, I won’t be the CEO. I want to hand over to someone, maybe even my daughter, who already says she wants to run mommy’s business and be a YouTuber. I want to step back as a shareholder, perhaps serve on boards, and explore the God-given talents I’ve been blessed with.
What are some of your hobbies?
I love empowering women in business. I’ve partnered with organizations like WomX, Gender Links, and Women in Business. I love sharing knowledge, information often kept from us. But for me, giving back is how I unwind. That, and I also enjoy a little old-school R&B on a Friday drive and other music genres.
Any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
Trust the process. Listen to that voice inside of you the one that believes in your potential. Don’t wait for perfect conditions, and don’t be afraid to start small. Read, network, self-develop, and know that you are enough to build something great. The world is finally starting to listen to women. It’s our time.
Finally, how do you define transformation?
Transformation is economic inclusion, especially for women. It means relaxing funding barriers and creating meaningful opportunities in industries still controlled by a minority. When you empower a woman, she empowers her family, her community, and the next generation.