Complimentsoftheseasonto youall! Welcometo iShaH 2023
This is ourpreciousthird installment and first ofthe brand-newyear!Weareglad to have youalong as weprepare to grow the iShaH Magazine this year.
Let'stakea momenttolook back on thepast and carryonly the positivesasweforgeahead in the jungleof business.
This is the time wereflectonall the good,thebad and the ugly ofthe journeysofar and guess what? You arestill standing.
We camefromcommemorating the 16 daysofactivism against gender-basedviolenceinthe last monthsof2022and it was an eyeopenerasconversations have takena twistinto thereality ofa differentkind ofviolencein the economic spaceaswomen jostle forrecognitionand acceptance.
Theharsh reality is womenstill soldieronwith mind blowing tenacity…thisbreed called Woman.
In this issue wegodeep aswe featurewomenwho havebeen bold enoughtomastertheir destinieswithgraceand beauty.
On ourcoverwehavePatricia Daka, the head of digital and marketing at Sasai Fintec,whicha division ofEconet,wediscussthe importanceofDigital Transformationforlocal businesses.
With the influx of onlinebuying and selling this is a must read for all entrepreneursonhow to navigate salesin thedigital world.
On our womenat work category, we featureDanayi Madondo,a creativewhomovesinexotic spaceswithherself-taught superpowerwhichis creativity. Our secondfeatureis Hillary Mukwenawho is a self-made entrepreneurasshesharesher journeyaboutowning an awardwinning businessstartup in its first yearof operation..
Fast 5 Featurethis month,we tamed firebrand,CoachSimba Lyn Chidavaenzi,Visionaryof PhenomenalWomanFoundation to discussthestridesshehas takenin pushing forthe 7 Mountainsof Influencemandate.
Not forgetting ourentrepreneur’s cornerwhichempowersmostof ourreaderswithknowledgeon how to becomebetter.
This is the yearfornew beginnings,freshideasand yes lots oflearning curves.Let'smake it count.
Get in touchwith us on all our socialswewould love to hear fromyou,until next monthstay safe!
Onceagain welcometo iShaH, we love,and weappreciateyoufor being a partof ourjourney.
FEATURE
DIGITAL
TRANSFORMATIONSTRATEGIES
COVERFEATURE
FEATURES: WOMEN AT WORK
11 DanayiMadondo :Interview-ThePowerOf Fashion In Story Telling
20 Fast Five Questions-withCoachSimba-Lyn Chidavaenzi
ENTEPRENUERS CORNER LOCAL INSIGHTS
iShaH Magazine
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“We have made quite significant digital advances in certain products or services within the Zimbabwean market, for example the revolution in mobile money..
Introduce us to Patricia Daka your family, education background and your professional work career?
PD: Bwanji, my name is Patricia Daka. I’m an ambitious and passionate multi-hyphenate creative. I grew up in a family of 4 girls being the 2nd oldest. I’m an avid traveler, having lived across multiple continents and have a strong appreciation of different cultures.
I have been in the marketing industry now for almost a decade with extensive experience working across various industries, from nonprofits, creative agencies and corporates.
Throughout the span of my career, I have worn many hats from working on strategy, PR, Digital Marketing, Event management, Product development and many others.
What made you choose marketing and specifically digital marketing as your choice of study and career to pursue?
PD : I didn’t choose marketing but rather marketing chose me. When I was preparing to go to college, I wasn’t quite clear on what it was that I wanted to do, but I was clear of the fact that I didn’t want to do the same thing every single day.
My creative side, was always glaring present even though it wasn’t always acknowledged. I remember I used to get into trouble a lot with my primary school teachers for either always talking too much or doodling a lot
When I got to college, I took some classes that allowed to explore some of my creative passions from photography, design, strategy and PR little did I know that through discovering and experimenting with some of these passions, they were arming me with the most adequate in-demand skills to become a full stack marketing professional with a flair for digital.
Through some of my internships and college courses, I began to unpack and learn more about digital marketing. .
You are currently the brand strategist at Sasai Fintech a company that offers financial digital services to Africa’s mobile consumers, how has that challenged you or contributed towards your work career?
Working for a conglomerate of an organization has been quite a journey. Every role that I have been in has been impactful to where I am presently.
I have worked across various brands in various industries and with some great teams and mentors along the way who have all helped me sharpen my toolbox as a marketing executive.
Each business, each brand and teams are different and having the right skills to be able to navigate, pivot your strategy and think outside the box have been some of the few things that have allowed me to remain agile within my work.
In my current role, the experience alone, of having to navigate and curate unique strategies for the different markets that we operate in has been challenging but eyeopening in understanding what works and what doesn’t.
The hands-on experience alone has allowed to learn a couple of tips and tricks along the way.
What is the meaning of digital transformation, and how is it different from digital marketing?
Digital Transformation & Digital Marketing are two very different things. Digital transformation focuses on the adoption of digital technology by an organization to digitize nondigital products, services/operations.
The key objective with Digital transformation for any organization is all about value creation whether through innovation/invention; customer service experience or efficiency.
Digital Marketing on the other hand is a component of marketing that utilizes Digital technologies to promote products and services. .
Are there different types of digital transformation, just like different types of digital marketing?
Yes, there are different types of digital transformation. The 4 key areas for Digital transformation are Process Transformation, Business Model Transformation, Domain Transformation and Cultural Transformation
Each type or rather process of Digital Transformation always comes with its own set of challenges.
We often see corporations focused solely on process or organizational transformation. Failure to address all four types leaves significant value on the table. many corporations erroneously believe digital transformation must begin with cultural/organizational transformation.
Teaching the organization to be more innovative, agile and digital is indeed important, but we see greater success among corporations that first pursue business transformation initiatives.
As an expert, what does digital transformation mean to you?
PD: Digital transformation can make or break your business. If you still want to remain relevant & competitive as the world becomes increasingly digital, you’d need to integrate Digital Transformation as part of your business. Simply put, it’s the integration of digital technology into all areas of a business, fundamentally changing how you operate and deliver value to your customers.
Digital Transformations can be complex. How can we simplify the process?
PD: Regardless of their business or position, today's leaders understand that their firm must change in order to survive. The remains of companies that were once the cornerstones of their sectors are all over the corporate landscape today, having been upended by newcomers that were better able to spot trends, embrace innovation, and move more nimbly to succeed.
Key steps to simplifying your digital transformation process is by breaking down your current workflow and identifying where errors and inefficiencies occur.
How do you measure the success of a digital transformation project?/How do you measure if your digital transformation was successful.
PD: There are many ways to assess the progress and efficacy of your digital transformation efforts. You can measure the number of users relative to the number of licenses purchased. This measurement gives you a basic sense of the adoption rate of your software investment.
You can also analyze the breadth and limitations of usability; measuring exactly how your digital tools are being used will give you a clearer picture of how well your employees have adopted the tools and achieve meaningful benefits. Also understanding your employee customer journey to better understand their navigation patterns and areas where there are bottlenecks/friction.
You can also count the number of processes performed on new software. In addition to understanding the overall level of adoption and usability, you’ll want to know how many processes are being performed on your new software.
This will give you an idea of how much value your software investment is bringing.
You can also assess your productivity indicators which is generally understood as the volume or value of outputs relative to the time and resources invested. For example, if you invested in a digital tool to support customer support, you can measure how many more support tickets your team was able to handle since implementing the new system.
Lastly, you can also measure the amount of new revenue attributed to digital investments. Similar to measuring productivity, you can measure how much your digital investments influence revenue. For example, if you introduce automation into your customer journey, you can track how many prospects interacted with the tools and compare how many among them became paying customers.
In your own opinion, do you think local companies in Zimbabwe are fully opening to digital transformations and how do you see the future of our digital transformations?
PD: I do believe most companies in Zimbabwe are seeing the need to implement digital transformation as part of their business mandate; however, the challenge for some Zimbabwean businesses is where to start.
We have made quite significant digital advances in certain products or services within the Zimbabwean market, for example the revolution in mobile money
What is the Biggest Obstacle to Implementing Digital Technology?
PD : As a business leader, you must understand that digital transformation challenges are not always directly related to technological concerns or technical barriers
They also include people-centric issues, organizational structures, and other non-tech factors The best way to overcome them is to identify and assess which specific problems affect your business
Most organizations find themselves in a space where their biggest obstacle in implementing Digital Transformation is Employees pushing back By our very nature, as humans, we like routines they make us feel comfortable
We tend to be very comfortable in our comfort zones and anything that challenges that comfort zone becomes an issue
Things can easily start to seem grim when our routines are changed, and uncertainty enters our lives Experiencing a digital transformation is the epitome of discomfort so it may make employees feel threatened
In order to successfully implement Digital Transformation, change is a requirement. However, to curb some of these challenges of employee push back, constant communication and transparency in the steps that the organisation/business is taking will allow for constant engagement with employees in order to erase doubt and uncertainty.
What can you say is your main business secret?
PM : Definitely! We seek to grow, expand and be innovative enough to deliver remarkable real leather products to satisfy today’s customer within the boarders of Africa and beyond..
Our aim is to tap into the export market through trade fairs and trade missions and occupy a bigger share of the local market ,
What are some of the achievements that you managed to achieve in business? Any awards?
PD: I would say some of my greatest achievements have been in the highly successful marketing campaign that I have led within my current role
I have helped launch compelling, revenue-generating campaigns across various markets and the collaboration of working with other brilliant minds to achieve the set goals has also been quite exciting Within the last 2 years,
I have been awarded the Outstanding Marketing Leader of the Year – Platinum winner - 2021; Outstanding Strategic Leader of the Year – Diamond Winner–2022 and most recently I was named as 1 of the Top 20 Outstanding Women in Business by The Megafest Business Awards. It has been truly humbling being awarded and being honored for my work.
Any advice to business owners about adapting to digital transformations and those who aspire?
PD : The advice that I would give to any business owner looking to Digitally transform their business/organization would be to:
▪ Have the right, digital-savvy leaders in place
▪ Build capabilities for the workforce of the future
▪ Empower and encourage your staff to work in new ways
▪ Digitally upgrade your day-to-day tools
▪ Communicating frequently via traditional and digital methods
anayi Madondo is a welltravelled designer whose work is an expression of my encounters.
With a BA degree in fashion design, I have dedicated my art form to exploring, constructing as well as reinterpreting the modern African woman’s narrative.
Madondo is the founder and creative director of Haus Of Stone. Haus Of Stone is a Zimbabwean based readyto-wear fashion brand driven by the philosophies of surrealism, harmony, and afro-minimalism.
The brand’s fluid, hand-crafted apparel is ethically and locally manufactured. Haus Of Stone apparel exudes understated luxury, comfort & sophistication.
Danayi has been nominated for ‘Best Emerging Designer’ Award and ‘Entrepreneurs’ Award at the Zimbabwe International Women’s Awards in 2015 and 2018 respectively. 2019 has been a successful year for Danayi & Haus Of Stone with the following achievements:
IM: Describe Danayi Madondo to the readers in a few words?
DM : Danayi Madondo is a creative entrepreneur. An experienced fashion designer, visual storyteller & self-taught textile artist.
IM: Why the name Haus Of Stone?
DM : I named the brand Haus Of Stone out of patriotism. I really wanted to help contribute towards putting Zimbabwe fashion on the global fashion scene.
I knew so few international Zimbabwean brands, so I figured when mine gets huge, there is no better way to give a shout out to Zimbabwe, by naming my brand after it.
IM: What has been t he driving force behind Haus Of Stone?
DM : The driving force of the brand is driven by the need to use fashion as a vehicle to narrate contemporary Zimbabwean narratives infused with heritage & cultural nuances.
The brands 3 pillars are built upon fostering sustainable design practices, visual storytelling & experimentation through handcrafted skills. Community & collaboration is the root of our existence.
IM: We see your designs are not only Intrinsic and detailed but they carry earthy tone, Why do you prefer these hues ?
DM: It was a business move that made me start utilizing earthtones In the beginning of my fashion journey, I used a lot of color and print, but because it was so distinct, if a client liked a piece that was a polka dot print, and that material somehow was no longer available on the market It's unlikely they will like the same style in pinstripes
I then opted for neutral tones, with a simply aesthetic As a self funded fashion brand, it didn't make business sense for me to constantly be designing new collections every month when I needed to focus my attention on other areas of business
I simplified the aesthetic to one that had a timeless appeal Opted for neutral tones that can be mixed and matched with any other color in one's wardrobe, allowing me less time to design, but more time to focus on business development
IM: You have gone full throttle in this creative field of fashion. Where does the inspiration come from?
MD: I consider myself an intuitive designer, but I have chosen to lean I’m into the things that interest me Fantasy and reexploring my culture and spirituality in the content of my fashion works have always been of great interest to me I attempt to create works/ garments that are timeless
My clothing exists to tell stories, and luckily enough the clothing then becomes a wearable object, but the priority is always the narrative, and I think it is this very thing that might set me apart from some fashion creatives
IM: Fashion is an ever-evolving industry, and it has its own highs and lows. How have you managed to keep the business afloat during it all?
MD: Fashion is 80% business, 20% talent If all you have is talent, pray for a person with capital and business skills to see this, invest and work with you, or you are signing up to only be frustrated that people with apparently less creative talent than you are doing better than you on the business front
This reality can be very jarring to many creatives across the board, but ultimately when it boils down to everything, as fun as fashion may appear, the reality is that it's one of the most uncut industries on the ground It requires hardworking, disciplined, visionary sort of individuals If you don't have the above, seek employment
Haus Of Stone is not a business for me, but a possibility a platform of reflection representation Its existence is what has provided with alternative opportunities for income within the creative space It has somewhat become a marketing) storytelling platform
IM: You have gone full throttle in this creative field of fashion. Where does the inspiration come from?
MD: Fashion shows are always fast paced and chaotic, but I think I enjoy the slight adrenaline rush. It requires a disciplined, organized and fast humans who pay attention to the detail and ultimately love what they do and have a great work ethos.
IM: f you weren’t doing fashion what would you be doing instead ?
I would be in film as a director, production designer or art director. I am a person with a very distinct vision, so I prefer to be in the driving seat. I am a person that enjoys creating world's, universes, galaxies and my mind is truly fantastical. There is never a dull dream in my head, it's always am adventure or a full bloom action film going on.
I think being in fashion, has just helped me to better understand myself, and the stories I would want to eventually tell and how I would want to tell them. I have a long way to go, but I have been blessed with opportunities to learn and better myself for that eventual season.
IM: Fashion is an ever-evolving industry, and it has its own highs and lows. How have you managed to keep the business afloat amid it all?
MD: It's challenging. I am just blessed enough to have a supportive husband/ family support system that allows me to pursue my dreams and happiness while still being a mother.
If I did not have such a strong support system, I think I would truly crumble under the pressure of trying to 'do it all' & be everything to everyone. I don't try and put unreasonable pressures on myself anymore. I just do the best I can on all fronts, pursue excellence on all fronts, but always understanding that my family is my priority above and beyond the recognition and accolades of my career. Ultimately, my career exists to serve my myself, my family and my community.
IM: As we conclude how would you describe the fashion industry here in Zimbabwe compared to other countries?
ABOVE IS A COLLECTION FOR : Seed Of Esther is chapter two of a visual narrative derived from Ode to Askana. The Gates of SoE (Seed of Esther) is a mystical realm where godly angelic beings convene. This visual poem explores mythological biblical themes and characters such as Esther & her arch angels. A multidimensional universe where we go to connect with our higher self before we transcend to the next version of ourselves
MD: The fashion industry in Zimbabwe cannot be called an industry at all. It's currently based on the psychology of perception & built reality that is then reinforced by social media
Fashion design industry in Zimbabwe is still a concept rather than a reality. We have a long way to go, we need primarily government & corporate interest, engagement and investment in order to see our industry become something that is tangible and exportable.
Roughly two years ago, she and go into the fiery pit of entrepreneurship. A decision she made after coming from her honeymoon trip. We managed to talk to Hillary about her entrepreneurship journey.
Hillary, was born on the 30th of June 1991, so basically, she is part of the generation that are known as the ‘born free’ She grew up in a neat little home in Houghton Park She attended her primary education at the neighborhood government school and thereafter completed her high school at the Dominican Convent School in Harare Having been raised in a singleparented home, She started working fresh out of High School in 2010 as her mother was now based in South Africa at the time, she had to quickly start earning income
Hillary obtained her exposure from working in different sectors–education, advertising, immigration and financial services and completed her Bachelor's in Financial Accounting in 2021 and last year She also completed an IPMZ Diploma in Human Resource Management –two very different qualifications!
IM: You are the Director and Founder of Hilsmag HouseCleaning Services tell us how it all began?
HM: It began on a whim to be honest! One day I was employed and the next day I decided to resign. Hahahaha, okay there is a back story though.
In 2018 I joined an organization called Junior Chamber International (JCI), it’s an organization made up of young people between the ages of 18 to 40 working together to create positive change in their communities.
The organization has an annual world conference, of which in 2019 it was being held in Estonia. As part of our honeymoon, my husband and I decided we were going to attend the conference and use the trip as an opportunity for a mini honeymoon because why not?!
During the trip I had the privilege of meeting so many young people from all over the world running their own businesses and sustainable businesses for that matter.
From the age of 21 I knew I wanted to make a difference in the world viabuilding businesses but never really had the guts and push that I needed.
Surprisingly, this trip gave me that much needed energy so when we came back, I told my husband, Joe, the plan to resign and go into the fiery pit of entrepreneurship. He was shocked but supportive and in February 2020 I completed serving my notice period at work and started Hilsmag!
IM: What was the main driveto decide to go the entrepreneurship way?
HM: Hilsmag was incorporated on the 31st of January 2020 and started trading in February 2020. From my early 20s I knew I wanted to foster change in and around my community and didn’t want to be ordinary.
That is my biggest fear – an ordinary life. I believe that God has gifted us in so many ways and underutilizing our different talents is certainly doing our Creator a disservice. Entrepreneurship has always been attractive to me because I am not afraid of building anything from the ground up and taking risk. Over the years I have evolved into a persistent, hardworking visionary so applying that goes a long way when building a legacy.
I simply cannot imagine my life any other way now. Entrepreneurship is rewarding both mentally and financially – though the financial break through comes after a while, so it’s certainly not an option if one is only seeking financial reward.
IM: What was your dream job after you completed High School. What plans did you havetowards your career.
HM: In hindsight I lacked career guidance at that point, so I was not clear on a career path, but I knew my strength was in business studies and accounting, so I felt it was only natural to pursue a career in accounting. Unfortunately, the passion for accounting never caught on and my last job in the corporate world was as a Research Analyst.
I wanted to transition out of the accounting profession at the point at which I decide I was going to start my own business The knowledge that I gained as an accounting professional and later as a Research Analyst has been so useful in how I run Hilsmag and the structures I have put in place, so I do not regret any of it
IM: What would you say are the challenges women face in their start ups using your very own experience?
HM: I did some market research prior to starting Hilsmag but I later realized I had not done enough research at all, unfortunately this was after I had made a number of operational errors which could have cost me the business. As entrepreneurs sometimes we are so passionate about our idea that we don’t spend enough time doing environmental strategic analysis prior to launching the product or service so that it really is tailor made to suit the intended clientele and environment .
The challenge comes when there are gaps between when you launch, when you are correcting mistakes and when you start making a profit from the business and you don’t have that much needed runway.
Most businesses fail not because the product or service isn’t good but because timing is everything and if you don’t have enough money to sustain the business until such a time when the market buying into the products or services (this is what we term a ‘runway’ in business) then you might end up closing shop. Another challenge is obtaining the funding itself. Banks are mostly rigid; grants are overwhelmed and the interest rates for loans are unbearable. We have been applying for different funding opportunities since inception, but we still haven’t managed to secure anything to date. From the experience I have now gained from different platforms and mentors.
I trust that 2023 will be the year that we secure some funds to boost our operations.
The social responsibilities that women have are often overlooked, even by the women themselves.
I am married with 4 children who still need so much of my attention and sometimes it’s a challenge to juggle between building a businesses and being a mom. When children suddenly fall sick, it doesn’t matter what you would have lined up at work, it all stops, and you must give attention to them so you can imagine it takes a little longer to achieve your goals and the business goals.
People do not often see this as a challenge, but its presence is very real so everyday there needs to be a conscious decision of what you are going to choose to prioritize and manage your time very well so that each aspect of your life gets the attention it deserves.
IM: House cleaning services have a very difficult pricing strategy, so how do you manage to differentiate your pricing without having to becomeinconsistent with it?
HM: Certainly, that has been a tricky part of the business especially in 2021 when we started engaging in a lot of deep cleaning jobs. Cleaning is a very subjective issue and sometimes it’s difficult to convince a client of the value it will bring into their life.
I am happy to say that we are now at a stage where we know the exact costs of the business so with known costs for each job, we are able to use the costplus markup model. The service needed for each residential and commercial place are different so it’s very rare to have two jobs with the same pricing and this is an area where we educate our clients, so they understand.
IM: Let’s go back a bit and talk about your awards at the SMEAS Local Legends Awards. You walked away with the Award for Complianceand Youth Entrepreneur of theyear2022 Congratulations! How has been the feeling?
HM: Thank you so much! You can imagine that my year ended of on quite a high note. The feeling had been amazing, and the awards are a testament of all the hard work I put into my 2022 work. There is no growth without pain, and I must confess that it’s not easy to be compliant in the early years when you are just trying to keep the business afloat.
My work experience in the corporate world taught me that compliance is key for the sustainability of the business, and you always need be in good books with your regulators. It’s never an end goal of mine to win awards but when it does happen it’s so surreal and you can safely give yourself a pat on the back. I often get so lost in what I have NOT achieved, I have such high standards for myself and the business, so recognition of the small successes is much needed!
IM: How many people does Hilsmag employ?
HM: Currently Hilsmag employs 5 full time employees and 26-part time employees. On the full-time employees, we have an Administrator, a Training Officer, a Cleaning Supervisor, a Marketing Officer and myself the Managing Director.
IM: We always ask this question to femme-preneurs how do you juggle familyand work life?
HM: It’s a challenge that I have noted with so many working wives and moms. I have resolved to ensure my family and work life is interlinked. People speak of work-life balance, but work is part of life isn’t it!
Firstly, my husband is also an entrepreneur, so he understands the pressure. Together we teach our children about the businesses, and they always know when we need to focus on work.
Over the past 3 years I have discovered that I thrive in a structured environment and spontaneity doesn’t work for me so I plan my days, weeks, months to a T but of course the environment will always throw you a curve ball.
The planning ensures I prioritize both work and family. The balance aspect is a fallacy, there is no such thing, but with planning you know you can devote certain hours of your day to work, to yourself, to your children and to your husband. So, no aspect falls behind per say, each feeds into the other because certainly if, for example, I miss my children then I won’t be able to be productive at work as my mind will be at home.
I look more to the quality of time rather than the quantity of it.
IM: What measures do you think must be taken to ensure a fair playing ground for female entrepreneurs?
HM: This is atough one. Business is all about competitive advantage, so I am not sure if fairness comes into play. Opportunities are all around us for those who keep their eyes open, and the future belongs to those who prepare for it today.
I think once an entrepreneur you need to constantly read and gain knowledge, keep your eyes open to see what is happening in the local environment and know what is changing globally.
To expect a fair playing ground assumes entrepreneurship is for all but unfortunately it is not. It takes sweat, tears and determination. Looking at the support services given to entrepreneurs, be it funding opportunities or incubation hubs, there is more support for females and it’s up to us to prove we deserve them
IM: How is the market and in terms of house keeping services? Is it nicheor do you think it’s untapped much?
HM: Every household requires housekeeping services however we have positioned ourselves as a premium lifestyle brand that not all are able to afford.
This has been a deliberate move, so we target high net worth clients, business executives and professionals who truly value and understand what we offer and are willing to establish a long-term partnership with us.
We are in the business of providing much needed peace of mind to our clients and we do this through ensuring that their space is clean, fresh and organized.
There is still quite a significant portion of the market that we haven’t tapped into or tried to educate about our services, especially on the commercial front, and we plan to do that this year.
The tourism industry is one that really excites me and there are plenty opportunities and synergies for us to explore there.
IM: What other services does Hilsmag offer?
HM: We have 3 units under the Hilsmag banner. When we started in 2020, we were concentrating on placement of housekeepers, so we actually have a registered employment agency as one of the units – that unit is called Shanduko meaning transform – we transform people’s lives by providing them with jobs and a sense of hope for the future.
Our second unit is the training services unit, and this unit sustained the business in 2021 whilst the cleaning services unit then picked momentum. We train corporate cleaners and domestic workers on many modules including deep cleaning, communication, grooming and etiquette, workplace safety, work ethics and so many more topics. We hope to introduce the manufacturing unit by end of 2023, so I am quite excited about producing eco-friendly and effective products.
IM: What are your parting words to our readers
HM: I will speak particularly to the aspiring female entrepreneur. The world is your oyster. You can do anything you set out to achieve through persistence and focus. Some very practical advice that I will give to someone wanting to start their business is become an expert in that area by reading widely – newspapers, business books, memoirs, follow the captains of industry and see how they have built their businesses and note key lessons.
Finding mentorship is important. I have two mentors and in addition to that I have an accountability partner who checks on my progress almost daily. I believe in and planning forward so set up structures around you that will help you achieve your goals. Surround yourselfwith people who push you to think differently and support your dreams but also challenge you at the same time to keep growing. Personal development is gold and will impact your business, so daily introspection to assess areas in your life that you need to work on needs to be a habit. All thebest lady!
This month I sat down with a remarkable woman, who has made it her prerogative to restore ,inspire, and empower women. Her focus is in growing a different caliber of woman who has the God-given ability to not only level but scale mountains, be it on a personal or corporate level.
SimbaLyn Chidavaenzi?Is a publisher, an entrepreneur, transformational speaker, kingdom marketplace minister and Professional Certified (PCC) and licensed Life Coach with the International Coaching and Mentoring and Mentoring Foundation (ICMF) in Zimbabwe.
She has an online documentary, Own Your Life Talk Show a first of its kind in Zimbabwe she calls the Pulpit Beyond the Pulpit where myself and my panel of guests unpack on Christian-related themes that are seldom addressed on the pulpit. I am also the co-founder of Royalty Books (Pvt)Ltd which I run together with her husband Pastor Phillip
ChidavaenziShe is a wife, a mother and currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Media with the Zimbabwe Open University
IM: Can you briefly tellus about PWF?
Phenomenal Woman Foundation (PWF)is aglobal interdenominational movement whose mandate is to restore, raise, inspire and empower women of faith by providing comprehensive faith-based teachings on successful leadership that empowers them to discover and walk purpose.
IM: Can you briefly tellus about PWF?
As the founder and visionary, my mandate is to awaken women to their kingdom purpose through unlocking, unleashing and releasing destinies.
PWF aligns Christian women with their God-purpose so that they can walk and work purpose.
PWF as a ministry has been given the mandate to raise ministers of flame whose responsibility is to occupy the 7 mountains of influence. These seven mountains are Government, Media, Arts & Entertainment, Education, Religion, Business and Family.
IM: What kind of impact do you want to have on the world as an organization.
As a movement our utmost desire is to be salt, and the light of the earth as commanded by the Bible. We want to enforce Kingdom Culture into the world through occupying the 7 mountains of society. These are 7 mountains are what upholds society.
IM: Tellus a bit about your weekly podcast?.
Own Your Life Talk Show is a Christian online documentary that interrogates themes that are rarely or if at all discussed within our denominations or Christian spaces, yet they affect us as believers.
The whole idea is to awaken the body of Christ to its call to be the salt of the earth beyond the four walls of their denominations.
We air every Thursday at 1pm Central African Time (CAT) on our Phenomenal Woman Foundation Facebook Page and on our ZimDaily Partners social media platforms. .
Interview byUniverse HangombeIM: How has your journey been from a Coaching perspectiveand tackling some topics that peopleusually shy away from?
Way before I embarked on my Coaching and Mentoring Journey, I have always been drawn to representing the underdog and provoking conversations on issues that many deem sensitive, controversial or taboo.
However, Coaching ignited that hunger for demystifying these issues so that society begins to see that it is okay to talk about these issues.
It’s okay to openly acknowledge them so that we give permission to those hurting because such things as disenfranchised grief from miscarriage, sexual abuse, divorce, infertility, and infidelity to healing.
Today there is more registrations of Small and Medium Enterprises companies by women around the country.
As female-led organizations continue to grow year after year, so does the positive impact they have on our economy and the jobs they create. Here are five upcoming trends for female entrepreneurs and innovators to keep on your radar:
Over the last 5 years, we’ve seen a 100% increase in the number of female entrepreneurs emerging all around Zimbabwe, Between 2020 and 2021 alone, the number of female entrepreneurs who own small businesses and franchises increased ,proving that even a pandemic can’t slow down the rise of female startups.
What’s even more interesting is the positive impact female-run organizations have on the economy.
Globally studies show that on average, female-led organizations show an 84% growth rate since their inception, compared to a 78% growth rate for male-owned companies.
Considering only 23.8% of women receive funding (compared to 33.9% of male entrepreneurs), the difference between growth rates speaks volumes about the potential for female startups, the job opportunities they can provide, and the return-on-investment stakeholders may see if they choose to work with female entrepreneurs.
In fact, the total global income of women is expected to increase by more than $5 trillion over the next five years.
While the reasons women choose to start their own companies vary, Zimbabwe Women-Led Micro Enterprises (ZWL-SMEs) reports that of the female entrepreneurs interviewed, 39% said they were ready to be their own boss, 20% shared that they wanted to pursue their passion.
This may be why we’re starting to see female-led companies emerge that are more willing to embrace new business models and non-traditional structures.
Female-owned businesses are more likely to embrace remoteand hybrid work environments and flexible schedules.
Article by Victoria Chidarikire Founder & Head Of Operations Zimbabwe Women Led Micro EnterprisesThey’re also more likely to give employees more autonomy over their work and develop diverse leadership teams. This encourages a broader range of perspectives, which often helps female-led businesses make more informed decisions about the product and services they develop and how they market them.
According to the ZWL-SMEs research 90.3% of the organizations women own are considered micro-businesses, compared to 82.3% for men.
While definitions vary, a microbusiness is typically classified as an organization with fewer than 10 employees that earns less than $200 000 each year. Part of the reason we may see more women operating micro-businesses than men is that female entrepreneurs tend to work with freelancers and other service providers more often to fill gaps while focusing on improving their core business offerings.
Outsourcing can be an excellent way for female entrepreneurs to maintain balance and keep costs low while growing their organizations.
According to ZWL-SMEs ,the most common services women business owners outsource include tax preparation, payroll, CPA services, bookkeeping, IT support, and marketing.
According to Forbes, the freelance revolution has also picked up steam throughout the pandemic, with more than 30% of employees in the Africa pursuing freelance work on the side.
As freelancing becomes a more popular option for people who want to earn extra income, pursue their passions, and work remotely, there are plenty of opportunities for business owners to continue outsourcing services..
While historically funding for female-run businesses has been scarce, investors can no longer ignore the positive impact working with women has on their ROI.
While it’s challenging to make predictions regarding finances as we continue to navigate an ongoing pandemic, we are starting to notice an increase in funding opportunities for women.
For example, THE Women Bank Of Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Women Affairs recently set aside in funding for female entrepreneurs who own small businesses. This will be dedicated to supporting womenfounded and women-led organizations.
However, it’s important to note that the percentage of female entrepreneurs asking for business financing is still relatively low when compared to men. Today, only 25% of women seek business financing and they ask for $10,000 less than their male counterparts.
As more funding becomes available, we hope to see this narrative shift to put more money in the banks of female-led businesses so we can continue to see an increase in job opportunities, improve the diversity of the products and services available today, and strengthen our overall economy.
It also presented evidencethatfewer women are granted access to financingand business loans,with just 15% of bank financingapplications and 22% of new primary business bank accountopenings comingfrom women”
According to Zimbabwe Women Led Micro Enterprises research by 2022 year end,
No doubt, business
incubators and accelerators that typically offer a suite ofintensive support such as workshops, training, networking opportunities, coaching,and business counselling have contributed to empowering femaleentrepreneurs. But there is a far moresignificant challenge faced by women entrepreneurs. Iwould arguethat the unequal access to funding and investment for women-run businesses dwarfs the skills gap.
Numerous researchstudies havebeen conducted globally on thesignificanceof entrepreneurship to theeconomyand specificallyon theroleof womenin its growth. The findings suggest that greater economicparticipation by women stimulates economies,reduces poverty and creates jobs.
Entrepreneurship is a challenge,even more so if you are a woman. Despite their efforts and expertise,female entrepreneurs oftenstrugglemorethan their male counterparts to makeitbig and get recognised within thebusiness community.
Research has shown that one can only develop a passion from what they have been exposed to, therefore the availability of opportunities tends to steer careers for most people.
According to Keith Davis, a career is all the jobs that are held during ones working life.
l can draw from my own experience as a female entrepreneur and the founder of Darik Solutions, a digital business solutions service provider.
I was naturally inclined to start a business as part of my life journey. Having fulfilled various roles in the manufacturing and retail sector, I realised that if I was going to venture into business, my passion alone would not necessarily guarantee success.
I saw many adverts published by a reputable financial institution purporting "we support female businesses" or "you can get funding" it was being punted all over. But it was more a "social washing" case than actual assistance.
When you approach these institutions, biases are exposed, some more prominent than others.
It may have been limited to my perceptions, but there was still reminisce of subjectivity and partiality.
I remember breaking down in a meeting with my investor because of some issue. Although the matter was resolved, I realised there was a clear barrier, a lack of understanding of my business needs. I had a moment of self-doubt and asked myself if I was strong enough. Did I have the resilience, the grit?
Invariably irrespective of one's choice getting off the ground heavily depends on access to funding. So, running your own business requires you to have teeth, grit and stay in the game. The challenge comes when you are looking for capital and trying to convince investors to support you.
I have understood enough to know that a hefty dose of subjectivity is involved in the funding decision by venture capitalists a Investment decisions are based on years of accumulated insights and experiencedata points- complemented by facts and figures.
The problem with this process is the risk of cognitive bias. This is when individuals unconsciously create their own "subjective reality" based on hundreds of inputs that hinder their ability to see new opportunities.
Having the experience of working with the same demographic of entrepreneurs repeatedly, an unknown data point, such as a black female entrepreneur like myself, is indeterminate.
In operating a business in a retail industry, which is fashion, which is women, the people sitting on the other side of the table are most likely men, black or white, and may not understand my process, my purpose or my product.
Because of this reality, I believe that the traditional funding models don't necessarily serve the needs of all SMEs.
As revealed by research conducted in the UK while companies with a higher percentage of female leaders outperform those dominated by men, only 16% of small business employers and one in three entrepreneurs are women.
It also presented evidence that fewer women are granted access to financing and business loans, with just 15% of bank financing applications and 22% of new primary business bank account openings coming from women.
Despite the policies and measures implemented to promote gender equality, men still dominate the entrepreneurial ecosystem and banks. Financial institutions still consider women with fewer physical assets less creditworthy than men.
There are many positives of womenowned businesses and an increased focus on supporting female entrepreneurs in recent years. However, women are still starting businesses at a disproportionate rate to men, and there are still a distinct number of challenges that women continue to face.
There are many positives of womenowned businesses and an increased focus on supporting female entrepreneurs in recent years. However, women are still starting businesses at a disproportionate rate to men, and there are still a distinct number of challenges that women continue to face.
According to a 2019 World Bank report, women entrepreneurs make or are obliged to make different decisions than men because of gender-specific constraints such as social norms, unequal legal frameworks, and differences in education, resources, assets and networks.
Social norms influence the strategic choices that female entrepreneurs make, such as their sector of operations. Women tend to operate in traditionally female-dominated sectors, even though maledominated sectors tend to be more lucrative.
Women who "cross-over" into maledominated industries tend not to earn as much money as men do.
Emerging evidence suggests that sharing information with women on expected returns in traditionally male-dominated sectors and providing women with early exposure to these industries in the form of apprenticeships and male role models could help induce women to cross over into higher-return, maledominated sectors.
There is little publicity about financial institutions investing in programmes to develop men in decision-making positions to eliminate the biases and attain better insight into the entrepreneurial mindset of women and their businesses so that they can harness the potential of that SME market.
We women now need confidence in the market to provide financial solutions to women-led businesses.
I believe that until lending institutions are transformed this way, the path to success for women entrepreneurs will always be marred.
Are women-owned businesses more successful?
Successes. Overall, men- and women-owned businesses are succeeding and struggling at an almost identical rate. Of those entrepreneurs facing difficulty in their businesses, 33% were male and 34% were female.
What are the biggest challenges facing women in business?
7 challenges women entrepreneurs face and how to overcomethem ?
▪ Defying social expectations.
▪ Accessing funding. .
▪ Struggling to be taken seriously.
▪ Owning your accomplishments.
▪ Building a support network. .
▪ Balancing business and family life..
▪ Coping with fear of failure.
Women-led technology companies are more capital efficient. Female entrepreneurs have proven that they are world-class financial managers and CEOs (as if there were any doubt!). Data has demonstrated that female-led technology corporations are more capital efficient – achieving up “35 percent higher return on investment.”
Woman-led companies have also boasted high rates of venture capital deals, proving that investors are more than willing to fund a female-led tech company.
This demonstrated ability to manage capital means that the door may open in the future for more women in tech. These numbers are encouraging for women who wish to enter what was once a mostly-male dominated industry.
Article by Victoria Chidarikire Founder &Head Of Operations Zimbabwe Women Led Micro
Gift oftheGivers embarkedon massive food parceldelivery campaign, taking supplies toseriously affectedareas fordistribution- especially in terms of thoseunabletospend exhaustive timein queues,being theelderlyandinfirm, medicalandemergencyfront-line staff.Theorganisationinitially prioritised old age homes,orphanages and othersimilar institutions, andtheirstaff,as recipients forsupplies.
Taking a longer-term view,Gift ofthe Givers also developed a plan toassist families whose breadwinners losttheir jobs as a resultofthe destructionof the businesses which employed themin Durban,Pietermaritzburg and many similarly affectedareasacrossKwaZulu-Natal.
In addition, theorganisation swiftly engagedwithmedicalassociations to devise plans toassist themget backupandrunning,giventheessentialstatus oftheirservices.
Many family-ownedmicroandsmallbusinesses weredestroyedleaving owners - many withoutinsuranceuponwhichtorely - tofaceenormouslevels ofdebtgiven thepandemic - and,now,noincome.Accordingly,Gift oftheGivers began identifying microandsmallbusinessesrequiring assistancein theformofcash and supply chain support,as a meansofhelping torebuild andre-establish brokenenterprises.
Actions ofthefew:Therecentpublic disorderin KwaZulu-NatalandGauteng had theeffectoferoding racerelations,glorifying looting,destroyinglivelihoods, putting in perilhundreds ofthousands ofjobs,denyinghealth-careworkers access toneedypatients,robbing babies offormula milk andpreventingaccess by theelderly, infirm,physically challenged - andordinary peoplefromallwalks oflife - tobasic foods andmedicalsupplies.Emergency services - medical,fire andpolice-werecrippledbythelackoffuelandseverelyillCOVID-19patients weredenied access tovitalmedicalfacilities.
Social activism: But,this is SouthAfrica...a nationsteepedin a senseof Ubuntu,resilience,heartandethics.SouthAfrica’s peoplerefusedtoallowtheir communitiestobetornapart,ortogive upacountrywhichhascomesofar since the1994 dawnofdemocracy.
ThepeopleofSouthAfrica stood up,stoodfirm.Socialactivismand civic responsibility triumphed,withcitizens bandingtogethertoprotect,defend and unify ourcommunities ata timewhenourGovernmentand leadershipfailed spectacularly. Taxibodies,community organisations, responsibleleaders and rationalthinkersmadetheirvoices heardand thepeople- Black,White,Coloured and Indian,localorforeign- rallied,uniting morestrongly than everbefore.
Responding tothecrisis and in spite ofsafe mobilityconcerns, Gift oftheGivers respondedswiftly,putits entiredisaster reliefmachinery intoaction.
Lootingandriotingcompoundedan already serioushungerproblemin many disadvantaged communities,theconsequenceoftheCOVID-19 pandemic and associatedrestrictions.
With Pietermaritzburg andDurbanbeing hometomajorsuppliers offoodand otheritems,manyareas becametotally cut-off,theresult oftheburningof trucks, highwayclosures,thedestructionofshops,warehousesandattendant fuelshortages, allofwhichprevented manyfromaccessing essentialfood supplies.
GiftoftheGiverswas -and is- committed toassisting in relievingthepain and suffering ofthoseaffected bythis socialdisorderandwouldwelcomeany donationsin ordertomakeourinterventions allthemoretelling.
Todonateonline,goto:https://giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference/ and donateusing anyoneoftheoptions provided.
For EFTdonations:Gift oftheGivers Foundation,Account number: 052137228, Bank:Standard Bank,Branch:Pietermaritzburg,South Africa, Branch Code:057525.
Telephone: 0800 786 911,+27 (0)33 345 0163,+27 (0)33 345 0175
Address:290 PrinceAlfredStreet,Pietermaritzburg, 3200
Website:www.giftofthegivers.org
Email:info@giftofthegivers.org
NPO: 032-031
“Itiseasytobreakdownand destroy.Theheroesarethose whomakepeaceandbuild”
- NelsonMandelaProvision of food supplies by TheGift Of TheGivers Team
More than one quarter of children below the age of 18 are not living with their parents ,as confirmed by the MICS 2014 figure of 26.6%.
Among these children, the majority have been abandoned by their parents or orphaned. Sadly, there are orphaned children who are even omitted by these statistics.
Who counts those who live on the streets, in landfills and sewage systems? There are a staggering number of orphan children in Zimbabwe and as No Child Left unclothed it is our responsibility to take good care of these children and make them feel loved.
No Child Left Unclothed is a youth-led organization with college students from Zimbabwe, China and Ukraine. It focuses on the orphaned child and is dedicated to create a world where every child knows love and care. Zimbabwe Community News which is chaired by Nigel M.K Chanakira and Albert Masaka, realised this and honored No Child Left Unclothed with the youth philanthropy award 2 years in a roll.
The World Health Organization states that every child has a right to parental care, but orphaned children do not have it, they have been marginalized in the community and the gap is visible.
The sense of impermanency and shortage of resources make it hard for orphans to trust people. Despite being surrounded by people all the time, they feel lonely and disconnected. They learn they can only count on themselves, so we as No Child Left Unclothed, we strive to improve the lives of orphans by being there emotionally and physically.
Additionally, the loss of a parent gives rise to emotional distress. The orphans are susceptible to long-term psychological problems including depression , anger, anxiety, and sadness, and are inclined to withdraw and self-isolate.
As No child we are there to give emotional support to such by spending time with them playing , converse and also discuss various aspects of life. A visit to an orphanage is a life-changing experience as it is filled with emotions and sentiments.
When we visit homes, we start the day with breakfast with all the children, we cook for them and learn about their interests.
Having visited several homes we have realized that sometimes all they need is our presence and time and with that they will be fulfilled.
As No child as much as we cloth them physically we also make sure that the emotions are addressed.
Article by Shantel Nyaumwe Junior Writer
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Together, we can build a capable, ethical developmental South Africa.
