4 minute read
Game Changer
She's got franchising in mind
By Basetsana Makhalemele
Advertisement
More young women are finding their way to build and create their empires and do what fulfills their hearts rather than stay in a corporate job.
The young and ambitious entrepreneur, mother, award winning Tumelo Rathobei happens to fit this bill. Tumelo is the owner of Botshelo Wellness and Fitness, which offers spa treatments, a nail bar and a gym to residents of the small town of Thaba Nchu, in the Free State.
The business journey When she returned back home after her tertiary studies, Tumelo realized that there was a gap in the market for a service that she needed frequently, beauty. So in 2014 she took the plunge.
"I have always appreciated looking pretty at all times. I did not find a suitable place which offered such services around town, so I started a business to close the gap, " she says.
Tumelo started drafting a business plan on how she would go about her new business venture which led her into entering a competition called Free State enterprise job creation challenge.
"I entered the competition and by God's grace I won myself a prize and that was a start. I took a loan and together, the funds assisted in starting my baby, " she says.
Botshelo Wellness and Fitness has all your beauty services under one roof, it offer some free consultation on weight loss, or weight gain, maintenance and self-care, more especially on facials.
She explains that the business uses organic products designed for dark African skins and makes sure each client is served to suit their needs.
What really sparked the young entrepreneur's interest to venture into this industry was to have decent, classy places to have all beauty, health and wellness needs catered for. Comfortable, professional and hygienic facilities, that is what she prides herself in offering.
Her passion for health and wellness has driven her to take part organising health and wellness events including a fun walk/run and a lot of voluntary work at CANSA (Cancer Association of South Africa).
"I continue to set myself apart by having clean and hygienic premises where all the treatments are done. It’ s my way of showing my clients respect and of saying hey we may be in a small town but we deserve world class, " she says.
Business highlights and goals
According to Tumelo, one of her greatest successes was when she was featured on a TV program called Making Moves SABC 1.
"I felt so honoured and humbled that my business from such a small town has made it through, " she adds.
Her hard work and drive has really paid off, which led her to win several awards from Free State enterprise job creation challenge, SAB Kickstart boost, FDC woman in business award. Her goals keep her motivated, she declares.
"When I think of all I need to achieve, I just get fueled up. It gives me so much energy, I feel like the sky is not even the limit, " she says.
"My dreams wake me up motivated and enthusiastic and most of all God. I know that in him everything and anything is possible, " she adds.
Tumelo's prayer for the future is to see Botshelo Wellness and Fitness become a franchise in other parts of the province.
She muses at the idea of Botshelo Wellness and Fitness having a beauty school which will assist young girls who are less privileged but want to go into the beauty business.
Challenges
According to Tumelo the greatest challenge she has faced has been employees who were not dedicated, motivated and full of positive energy.
"I then decided to try and give a little bit of training before I work with them so as to transfer the good energy to them which will then be transferred to my clients, " she says.
COVID19 also played a huge role in challenging her on a personal and professional level as she had to move to temporarily close her business, move to a new premises and redesign her spa. Financial difficulties were obviously not left behind. "It was not easy at all, one experiencing a bit of financial challenges, but with God's grace we managed to overcome, " she says.
Motherhood
With everything that Tumelo does in the business world she still manages to be the best for her daughter. She says being a mother is such a blessing to her and she tries by all means to manage her time very well to cater for her daughter, to give her love and care that she needs.
