Empowering Women in Business
According to Leah Quntana, owner of Our Heath Our Wealth. As part of celebrating women's month and in particular women in business The Hope Factory interviewed three of our top female entrepreneurs in Port Elizabeth.
Empathize – Empower – Engage – Educate! These are the abilities found in women in business according to Leah Quntana, owner of Our Heath Our Wealth. As part of celebrating women's month and in particular women in business The Hope Factory interviewed three of our top female entrepreneurs in Port Elizabeth.
Sandisiwe Kiti, owner of Mayihlome Human Capital solutions says“Women are nurturers by nature. No matter why they are entrepreneurs there is no doubt that others will benefit from them being in business”. Leah agreed, adding that women have the ability to impact communities as they want to see change. “They have the capability to make a big impact on alleviating poverty through their approach to business, being conscious about the need to create job opportunities”. Sandisiwe further echoed Leah's sentiments, stating that as leaders, women will attempt to find solutions from a place of real understanding of the problems communities face. “They are moved to action”, says Leah, “to make a difference in the lives of people through business”.
Violet Lupuwana, owner of Chumile Consulting, believes that resources invested in empowering women entrepreneurs could lead to changing our Nation. “Women are more determined to solve problems as ‘mothers' and they are rivers that will let our economy flow”. Leah adds that there is a need for the private and public sector to believe in women as business leaders. “They must give us a chance to deliver on what we can promise”.
Leah, Sandisiwe and Violet have been part of The Hope Factory's mentoring programme since 2014 and financial contributions from corporate South Africa through the B-BBEE codes have enabled The Hope Factory to develop them as individuals and business leaders. The Hope Factory's dynamic and tailor-made mentoring model and service offerings, provide entrepreneurs with access to experienced business mentors and financial and industry experts that address key entrepreneurial challenges.
“The Hope Factory has given me the opportunity to be myself and a platform to unleash my full potential as a woman in business. They have helped me to grow and I have become a professional in my field. It has given me the courage to stand strong”, explains Leah. Sandisiwe has similar sentiments to Leah stating that “The Hope Factory's support has turned my untapped potential into professionalism through personal development that leads to business growth. Through the mentoring I have grown and gained the ability to transform my creativity into profit.”
Violet adds that “The Hope Factory lives up to its name, giving us hope. They have been a support and pillar of strength during a tough entrepreneurial journey. I believe that the greatest gift you can give someone is your faith. The Hope Factory believes in us which keeps us going.”
It is women like these that The Hope Factory has been developing for the past 15 years. Entrepreneurial Development in South Africa, with the aim of creating sustainable small businesses, is a solution to building our economy and addresses some of our socio-economic challenges through job creation.
Such development is however not possible without the support from corporate South Africa. The B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice have given small business owners like these women an opportunity for enhanced development of their businesses through the Enterprise and Supplier Development element. Corporate South Africa can be part of the solution to steer our economy back onto a growth path.
