The Hustling Woman

Retreating to regroup

By Kamogelo Seekoei

Transitioning from being an entrepreneur to becoming and intrapreneur and adding value in her new environment is something that Virtue Business Solutions founder and managing director Wendy Silinyana is relishing.

Since she took the tough decision to temporarily park her business due to the devastating effects the Covid-19 pandemic had on it, life has been nothing short of amazing for this mother of two.

Disrupted and compelled to move back to her home province of the Eastern Cape has proven to be the kind of stretch that this impact maker needed. She has become a force to be reckoned with in the business world and has taken that influence to her new role as the Personal Assistant to the executive director of the Fort Hare Solutions, a wholly owned company of the University of Fort Hare.

In her new role she also tackles stakeholder engagement, an area she excels in, due to her experience as an events manager, one of the many roles she took on over her years of business. Despite going back to the corporate world her main focus has been on how she can allow her purpose to come through. Coming from a background of hustle can be a value-add when you re-enter the corporate world.

You have self-drive and motivation that sets you apart instantly. "In a short space of time I have entrenched my work ethic and it’s something that my seniors have noticed, ” she says.

Realigning due to Covid-19

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced so many people to rethink their life plans and to start implementing alternatives. The event management sector specifically has been one of the hardest hit sectors of the economy since the Covid-19 pandemic hit our shores.

The event management sector specifically has been one of the hardest hit sectors of the economy since the Covid-19 pandemic hit our shores.

With small business being the hardest hit Wendy knew that battling a tide that was strongly working against her would be futile, so she did what many did, realigned. “It became tough to navigate the pandemic when business was essentially not operating. So I decided to reposition the company and look at new ways that one can run the company, ” says Wendy who started her company in 2009.

I think by far the most difficult thing was informing my virtual team and associates about this decision.

She says although she has taken a new role that will help her navigate the pandemic, she does not take it lightly. She has already assisted the office of the executive director to secure partnerships through her diverse networks.

“This makes me excited because it showcases the hustle skills I developed as an entrepreneur. It places me in good stead where I am and beyond that I still have to fulfill my purpose as a social entrepreneur, ”

Wendy says. Despite the many challenges, she continues to speak of various platforms with the latest being and organizes online events.

About Wendy

A brand strategist and entrepreneur with over 12 years’ hands on experience in the fields of Public Relations, Brand Development, Multi Stakeholder engagement and Conference Co-ordinator.

She is an Award-Winning Women Entrepreneurs Day Organization Ambassador and international speaker; she recently spoke at the EuroWoman Global Business Forum hosted in Ukraine in May 2021 and was a speaker at the WEDO Global Summit in 2020 and an awardee of both organisations.

Apart from being an entrepreneur and CEO of Virtue Business Solutions, Wendy has occupied various positions such as marketing director, sales executive, HR assistant, a provincial impact study coordinator for the Regenesys Business School as well as the Host and co-producer of two documentaries on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), now known as Faith Broadcasting Network.

She is also a former radio host at KNR radio station an online radio station. Wendy is also known for two things Style & Class, her thought provoking quotes which she shares on her social media pages and uses to inspire, edify and awaken others to their true potential.

Wendy is a BMF Young Professionals Development Programme Alumni and is currently doing a Women In Power Programme with BMF in partnership with DUKE CE.